RJ Nealon
RJ Nealon is a Special Olympics North America communications fellow and athlete reporter, alumni of the University of Alabama and former ESPN intern.
Content By This Author
Special Olympics Athlete Steps into Leadership Role: in Community, at Work and in Movement
There he is, alone, with mother nature. Unlacing his shoes and removing his socks, he walks barefoot on the Iowa soil. Depending on the day, a shadow might reflect off the cool grass. The crisp sharpness of the earth glides across his skin helping Tyler Leech disconnect from the world.
4 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Turns Passion for Politics into Career
Born with Down syndrome, Reilly defies stereotypes every day through sport, leadership and employment, exemplifying the value people with intellectual disabilities bring to all facets of life.
5 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Goes Above and Beyond With the FBI
Kevin Brown has overcome just about every obstacle put in front of him. He’s never let failure or people giving him a hard time stop him from doing what he loves. But most of all, he puts others first, leads by example and goes above and beyond, even in these uncertain times.
5 Min Read
Special Olympics Programs Throughout North America Pivot to Host Virtual Summer Games
All Special Olympics Programs are experiencing a new kind of normal in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing all to go virtual this year.
6 Min Read
Special Olympics Athletes Included as Virtual Fans for NBA Game
To say everything is a bit different these days is an understatement. But the NBA is doing everything it can to make things feel normal.
3 Min Read
Podcast Highlights ESPN and Special Olympics Relationship
Special Olympics has come a long way since 1968 and now it goes beyond just sports. In the past two weeks, the Landscape Podcast, a series of episodes highlighting people, programs and businesses changing the landscape for individuals with any type of disability, has focused on Special Olympics and ESPN.
2 Min Read
Athletes Celebrate Loretta Claiborne’s Birthday
Loretta Claiborne has traveled the world with Special Olympics since starting to compete in 1970 with Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Over the past 50 years, she’s grown into one of Special Olympics’ most influential voices.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Athletes Highlight Mentors During Global Week of Inclusion
The 10 Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers (SSIGM) gathered in a Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal Hotel during the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
3 Min Read
A Conversation with Loretta Claiborne About Racial Injustice
Loretta Claiborne always fought for equal rights growing up. It started as a young child and transitioned into her role as Chief Inspiration Officer for Special Olympics and as a member of the board of directors. During a time of sizable racial divide in the 1960s, she had to fight for inclusion because of her skin color, but also because she had different abilities. A fight she keeps alive to this day.
7 Min Read
Physical Distancing But Not Social Distancing: A Special Olympics Athlete’s Perspective
It's the most exciting time of year for all who are involved. Each year at the beginning of June, hundreds of Special Olympics Maryland athletes gather at Towson University just outside Baltimore City, ahead of the annual Summer Games.
3 Min Read