SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - A college football player who grew up in Poway is inspiring the deaf community with some "Uptown Funk."
Brian Guendling is the son of a former San Diego Charger, and his music video choreographed with sign language has gone viral.
Brian Guendling is not deaf, but dozens of his friends are, and when those friends refused to go to music concerts with him because they felt alienated, Brian got the signal.
You would think by watching his music video that it's all about the six-foot-three, 230-pound football player dancing on stage, but you'd be wrong.
Before he played football at Texas State, he was star linebacker at Poway High. Before he was a star, Brian was a child who could not speak.
Brian's father, Mike Guendling, is a former San Diego Charger, coached by Correyell in the 1980's, which makes his son's passion that much more touching.
All throughout high school, Brian was a special education student himself. He learned sign language to communicate with the deaf.
"It was unbelievable. It was a heart touching experience," he said.
Deciding to break down even more barriers, Brian convinced his Texas State football teammates to choreograph Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars, and perform it with sign language.
People love the moves, but more importantly, the message. The feedback from the deaf community has been overwhelming.
At Brian's first performance, seven people danced in the front row with sign language that was loud and clear.
Brian's dream is to travel the world performing for the deaf and hard of hearing.