( CNN ) -- In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl , Seattle Seahawks player Derrick Coleman Jr. probably expected an onslaught of encouragement from his fans . But one earnest letter from a young fan posted on Twitter stood out , prompting the Super Bowl-bound fullback to write his own heartfelt response . The letter-writer was identified as 9-year-old Riley Kovalcik , who is hearing impaired , according to CNN affiliate KOMO . Kovalick is from Roxbury , New Jersey . In a hand-written letter tweeted to the player , Kovalcik tells Coleman that she , like him , wears hearing aids . Her father tweeted the player a photo of the letter . Coleman is the first legally deaf offensive player in the NFL . `` Here are some things we have in comen [ sic ] , '' Kovalcik wrote in the note , which her father posted online . `` I where [ sic ] two hearing aids . I love sports . '' Kovalcik goes on to say that her identical twin sister also wears hearing aids , and wishes Coleman luck in the Super Bowl . `` Just try your best , '' she wrote . Riley 's father , Jake Kovalcik , tweeted the letter to Coleman on Tuesday , accompanied by the message : `` You 've inspired my little girls in a way I never could . THANK YOU ! '' The tweet quickly made the rounds on social media , spurring a hand-written response , which Coleman posted on Wednesday . `` Thanks for the letter , '' Coleman wrote . `` Really was great hearing from a friend who I have so much in common with . I appreciate you rooting for the Seahawks and me and hope you continue to do so when we play in the Superbowl ! ! ! '' `` Even though we wear hearing aids , we can still accomplish our goals & dreams , '' he wrote . In a CNN.com column in December , the fullback said that being deaf has `` made me who I am . '' `` The struggle , pain , tears , happiness and joy has put me in the position where I am today , '' he said .
Seahawks fullback John Coleman Jr. is NFL 's first legally deaf offensive player . With Super Bowl nearing , hearing - impaired Coleman sends message : ` ` Just try your best '' Coleman tweets back to the year - old . ` ` Even though we need hearing aids , we can still achieve our goals & goals ''