9-Year-Old Actor, Athlete From Bowie Hopes To Become 1st Black, Deaf Pro Hockey Player

BOWIE, MD — As he glides across the ice in his hockey gear, 9-year-old Keivonn Woodard of Bowie isn't just playing the game he loves, but making waves in the sport of hockey. Keivonn happens to be a deaf hockey player and now he's guest starring in HBO's new hit show "The Last of Us."

"[We] gave him a nickname — Hollywood — a couple of weeks ago, just because when he scores a goal, everybody knows because he likes to celebrate," his coach, Chris Pozerski, told WUSA.

Kevionn comes from a long line of deaf actors. He's the sixth generation from a Black deaf family to pursue acting. While Kevionn can't believe he's starring as Sam in the TV show, the young athlete who has been playing hockey since he was four has his sights set on something even bigger - he wants to become the first professional Black deaf hockey player.

Keivonn plays for the Bowie Hockey Club 10U Team, which won a tournament last year, the Bowie Banner reported.

TV writers said Keivonn is blazing a trail as a series regular who is deaf.

"The overall experience was incredible. It was important to me to always be discussing with him how he was feeling and how he felt working with his team," his mother, April Jackson-Woodard told the Daily Moth blog. "I had the expectations, of course, that him being deaf, I was ready for barriers, and problems to happen, but that was not the case at all! I’m thankful we had such a great team that was receptive and motivated along with us. We were very fortunate to have that great team."

And Keivonn told the deaf community not to be afraid to try things.

"Don’t be afraid to try it out. Because that’s what my parents told me – to not be afraid to try out," he said. "I was a bit afraid at first, but I went ahead and overcame that, auditioned, and got the role with 'The Last of Us'! I was mind-blown."