A Manchester High School linebacker will hit the football field Saturday with gear to protect him from his opponents and from the sun.

Sophomore Craig Leppert has a genetic disease called EPP, which means he cannot come in direct contact with sunlight for extended periods of time. The 16-year-old wears gloves, long-sleeve shirts and pants or stockings. He also has a neck guard and a tinted shield on his helmet. Leppert?s coach says the teen doesn?t get any special treatment.

Parents are trying to raise $180,000 to add lights to the football field, not for Leppert, but for the entire team. Leppert says while he would appreciate having more night games, he?s still a player first, teammate second and a person with a disease third.