IRONWOOD -- Cody Rye is tackling what some would say the impossible.  He's playing defensive tackle for the Ironwood Red Devils JV team.

"It feels awesome," comments Cody.  "It's actually legal to hit someone."

In 1998, Cody suffered a spinal cord injury, the result of a car accident, paralyzing him from the waist down.  Doctors told Cody that he would never walk again.   Little did they know, Cody would eventually go on to play football.

"He's been an inspiration, to say the least," stated Ironwood Red Devils head coach, Gordy Erickson.

This is Cody's first year playing for the Ironwood Red Devils.

Before Cody was allowed to play, he had to get permission from his doctors; and although they said okay, there is still a chance, like anyone playing a contact sport, to get hurt.

"He's kind of worried about me breaking my femur, but I feel safe when I'm playing out there," Cody said.

Cody is wheeled out onto the field and using only his upper body, he gets into position.  His job, simple but tough, is to cause a pile so the linebackers can make a play.

"Sometimes I can get low and grab legs easier and see sometimes faster," Cody stated.

"Playing with Cody, you don't see it everyday," says teammate Zach Appner.  "It's sort of like a dream, you get to work with Cody and it gives you a lot of hope.  You don't want to give up."

And neither does Cody.  He loves the sport, the camaraderie, and it's easy to see that he's is not a guy to duck from challenge.