White Sox broadcaster Jason Benetti encourages audience to “inspire and have an impact”
Jason Benetti, a nationally recognized play-by-play sports announcer for Fox network and the Chicago White Sox, is a confident and familiar voice, peppered with wit.
Benetti, 39, is also matter-of-fact, both personally and professionally, about his own medical journey of self-discovery and acceptance while sharing his life and career as an intertwined story.
“I’m not normal and I wasn’t born normal,” said Benetti, the keynote speaker Tuesday before more than 200 guests in the auditorium on the Ivy Tech campus in Valparaiso.
“Normal is boring. It’s like unsalted French fries.”
Benetti spoke for 50 minutes and answered questions of an eager audience for 30 minutes, as part of the City of Valparaiso’s event marking Disability Awareness Month.
Benetti has cerebral palsy, a factor for his balance and ability to walk. But as evidenced by the success of his on-air talent, he describes himself as “proof of not judging a book by its cover,” a theme during his evening presentation.
“Compare me to a March NCAA bracket, and I’m the underdog, I know that,” said Benetti, a 2001 graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
“People see me, and they assume something about me without even knowing me. I was born very sick and I required many surgeries from a young age. But I’m here now, and I’m glad I am who I am.”
When introducing Benetti, Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy described him as an inspiration for overcoming adversity.
“Disability Awareness Month is just one way to advance education and awareness of disabilities by introducing new ways of sharing information,” Murphy said.
“We all know someone we can reach out to and learn from, such as family, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Like Jason Benetti, we can all have an impact on others.”
Benetti said he is grateful for the encouragement of his high school teachers, especially a band adviser, who offered the option of him forgoing playing an instrument in marching band in favor of doing the announcing of the band’s musical set during halftime. He said it was “his first experience behind a microphone,” and led to the opportunity to announce high school sporting events.
“That first time behind a microphone provided me with the confidence I needed, and that’s what we all need,” Benetti said.
“It can be very frustrating when people are always asking you ‘Can I help you?’ even though they might mean well, when really, it’s some confidence that is the best response from those around you.”
Benetti referenced how few people there are with disabilities on television, although he cited 25 percent of the population is categorized as people with some form of disability.
Max Phelps, 13, of Valparaiso posed a question to Benetti from the audience during the final moments of the event, asking: “How do you feel you have been an influence to others by your own story?”
“It’s taken time, but today, I’m able to have the ability to just be me, just myself, and by my own example, I can inspire and have an impact on the lives of others,” Benetti said.
Phil Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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