University of Oregon junior Justin Gallegos had just finished running in a recent race when he got the surprise of a lifetime.

Nike wanted to sign Gallegos, who has cerebral palsy, to a pro contract. Gallegos is in the running club at the University of Oregon and now he’s Nike’s first pro athlete with cerebral palsy.

Earlier this month was cerebral palsy awareness day, and that’s when Gallegos shared in an Instagram post that he had signed a three-year contract with Nike Running.

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“This was perhaps the most emotional moment in my seven years of running!” Gallegos wrote. “Growing up with a disability, the thought of becoming a professional athlete is as I have said before like the thought of climbing Mt. Everest! It is definitely possible, but the odds are most definitely not in your favor! Hard work pays off!”

Film company Elevation Om documented the surprise, which they shared online.

© 2018 The Oregonian
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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