From USA Today: George Springer won't be silenced: He handles stutter, embraces World Series spotlight [1]

George Springer is a professional baseball player for the Blue Jays and person with a lifelong stutter. He does extensive charity work in Houston, helping provide treatment and confidence to children with speech development difficulties. He knows how difficult it can be to stutter as a child.

Springer exhibited his natural athletic skill from a young age. However, in between baseball practices, Springer spent his time in speech therapy because of his stutter. While the therapy helped, Springer continues to speak with a stutter; that is, until his conversation topic switches to something rather close to his heart.

“[My college baseball coach] told me that I don’t ever stutter if I’m talking about something that I like to talk about, especially if I’m talking about the game,” Springer says. “The game is something that I’m comfortable with, it’s something that I love.”

Now, Springer chooses to embrace rather than shy away from his stutter. In July 2017, Springer elected to wear a microphone [2] during the All-Star game in Miami. He hopes that his choice to speak up will inspire others who stutter. “I can’t spread a message to kids and adults if I’m not willing to put myself out there,” he told reporters after the game. “I understand I’m going to stutter. I don’t care. It is what it is. It’s not going to stop me from talking or having fun.”

As a proud and vocal advocate, Springer has proved himself an inspiration to the stuttering community. Check out his bio on ESPN [3] to learn more about his baseball career.

Published Aug. 17, 2017