Photo via MLive.com

Nothing inspires South Christian High School’s football team (Grand Rapids, Michigan) like their offensive lineman, Isaac Postma.

Shortly after Postma was born, he was diagnosed with a genetic disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Due to SMA, Postma gets around in a wheelchair, which allows him to lay flat.

SMA affects the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement, and most of those nerve cells are located in the spinal cord.

The genetic disease has a wide range of age onset, symptoms and rate of progression; therefore it is classified into types one through four.

When Postma was diagnosed with SMA, he was diagnosed as Type 1 meaning he displayed symptoms in infancy, typically having the lowest level of functioning.

Postma was given a life expectancy of two years, but he defied those odds.

Arden Postma, Issac's father, told M Live. “He’s kind of considered to be an old man for SMA Type 1s.”

However, living with SMA has not kept Postma from his love of sports.

Postma started supporting the South Christian Sailors as a freshman in high school.

Since kindergarten, he has been best friends with junior lineman Caleb Voetberg.  Supporting Voetberg and the whole Sailor team on the sidelines.

While Postma enjoyed watching from the sidelines, he wanted something more. He wanted to be a member of the Sailor's football team.

During Postma’s junior year, the South Christian coaching staff made it happen. They saved a roster spot for Postma, who now wears the No. 81 and is part of the offensive line.

Before every game, the offensive line gathers around Postma, where a player delivers a speech and they say a cheer.

“We take things so much for granted, and up until a couple years ago, Isaac was determined that he would be a football player. To have that kind of attitude that he’ll overcome what he’s going through, he’s just such an inspiration.” South Christian coach Mark Tamminga said.

Voetberg told M Live, “To see him out here on the field is a huge part of my everyday life. Even with his disability, his mindset is still go-go-go, and seeing his determination pushes me as an athlete.”

Postma's love and support for Michigan football teams go beyond his team. He is a huge fan of the Western Michigan Broncos and Michigan State Spartans.

Over the past few years, in 2010 Postma was visited by his favorite MSU player, Kirk Cousins and even received an invitation to tour the MSU locker room and meet Spartans coach Mark Dantonio.

After Postma’s visit with the MSU football team, Spartans basketball coach Tom Izzo invited him to visit the Breslin Center with Dantonio.

After Issac’s time with MSU coaches and player, Arden, Issac’s father, told M Live, “They have big programs to run, but they take the time out of their days. It’s pretty special that they do that, and it means a lot to him. He sees them on TV and he idolizes them, so to see them in person, meet them and interact with them, it’s very special.”

Postma has been an inspiration to many teams in Michigan, and No. 81 will continue to support his teammates on the sidelines Friday nights.