SPOKANE -- In these days of Tiger Woods and other prominent sports scandals, it's sometimes hard to find the purity of what makes sports great. A Spokane coach just may restore your faith not only in sports, but also the human spirit.

Inside the School of Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts in Spokane Valley two men are on the mat. One teaches people how to fight; the other, his student for just two months, has been fighting his entire life.

"He's just a normal 33-year old guy who likes sports and action movies and video games and chasing girls," says Michael Ward. But the man he's talking about, Noah Gomes, isn't normal. He never has been.

When his mother was in labor, Noah's umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. Doctors were able to save him, but he was born with Cerebral palsy. While his mind is 100 percent, he struggles to control his body. But Noah doesn't let that control him.

"It's humbling to see somebody with the disabilities they have come in and want to do this," says Ken Bebout, owner of the School of Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts. "It makes me appreciate my life."

Two days a week for the last two months, Bebout has helped Noah train. Because his muscles are so tight and constricted, Bebout says Noah is abnormally strong. That's evident when Noah applies a stranglehold and Bebout can't get out.

"His cardio has gotten better, his self-confidence and self-esteem have gotten better and his strength is picking up," says Bebout. "I think his agility is getting better because we are working his muscles in ways they haven't been worked before."

Noah can't communicate using his own voice. He has a computer linked to his wheelchair and his caretaker Michael Ward to help him.

"He uses a phonetic alphabet," Ward explains. "He can make motions of the five vowels with his mouth."

But, when you ask about his training, Noah lights up. He would do it every day if he could.

"I always want to better myself," Noah explains. "If STA would get me here every day, I would come. I can't take the normal bus everyday, because it's too long of a ride." 

So, like he has his entire life, Noah makes do. His actions continue to make him an inspiration to others.

"I told him when he first got here, maybe we could start an Olympic event for the handicapped in MMA or boxing and he got all excited about that," says Bebout. "So, we just keep working and getting him where he wants to be."

Where Noah truly loves to be is on the football field. He's been coaching since he was in high school at Riverside; he's now the wide receivers coach for the Spokane Wolfpack.

"He's a good guy," says wide receiver Kyle Vanderver. "He knows his stuff, he really does. Coming out here at first, I was a little worried, but he has impressed me ever since."

His players say Noah is also very intense. He lets them know when they drop a pass or when they run the wrong route. But, there is no yelling, no screaming. Noah makes up for his inability to speak by writing messages on his computer screen. Earlier this season, Noah filled in as the offensive coordinator.

During that game the Wolfpack scored 43 points.

Football is all about the competition for Noah. He actually wanted to join the military, but was unable to do so. Now, he has his sights set on coaching high school or college. Or maybe even coaching professionals.

In the gym and on the football field Noah continues to show others he's about much more than the disability that confines him to his chair.

"I hold him in high honor of what he's trying to accomplish here," says Bebout. "Bettering his life and trying to play a sport and just enjoy his life doing it, that's what makes him happy. And, I'm proud to be a part of that."

One of the men he coaches absolutely agrees.

"A guy that can deal with what he's gone through, what's he's doing is inspirational," says wide receiver Kyle Vanederver. "Everybody gets up every day and thinks 'i've got it bad', but I look at him and what he's done... He's went [sic] further that I've ever thought of going in life. Inspiration-wise, man, I look up to him every day."

That's all Noah has ever asked for; a chance to make others believe. And, like any good fighter, Noah's always ready for the next round.