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'Radio' replay: Revisiting Banneker hero's run

... In a noisy moment at Banneker High's homecoming pep rally, coach Benny Crane felt a tug on his sleeve.

It was not a yank, but a slight pull, enough to get his attention.

He turned and glanced down into the excited yet concerned eyes of Gerard Robinson.

At 5 foot 3, Robinson is shorter than most of his classmates, but his audacity and charisma elevate his stature.

As Crane bent over to listen, he could see Robinson's mouth quiver.

The 17-year-old had a question: Would his name be called out with all the football players?

Although Robinson was not officially part of the team, Crane assured him with a nod, a smile and a hand on the shoulder.

Yes.

And as the look in Robinson's eyes shifted to sheer joy, another notion entered the coach's heart.

Maybe there was something even greater he could do for this unlikeliest of football players.

Crane first encountered Robinson five years ago, while substituting at Camp Creek Middle School, and was fascinated with the kid.

Attention deficit disorder robbed his focus.

Crane actually timed how long the young man could stay on task: 30 seconds.

Yet, Robinson had magnetism.

He could engage people like few kids his age.

He was captivating, funny and not th...