RUBGY

MARK ZUPAN, quadriplegic rugby player, July 22, 2005
CZIKOWSKY: Greetings from the city that cheers hometown hero A.J Nanayakkara. What is it like competing against A.J., and what does the film (“Murderball”) help tell people about people beyond the rugby playing court?
ZUPAN: I don’t know if I’ve ever played against A.J. The film tells people that we’re normal. Just because you’re in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t function as a normal individual.
CZIKOWSKY: A friend of mine is female and plays rugby. Are there any female wheelchair rugby players? ZUPAN: Yes, there are. Females are a lot smarter than males, though, so they don’t get hurt as often. Meaning they don’t break their necks. Guys are usually dumber than girls when it comes to stuff like that.