Major League Baseball player Jake Burger was traded to the Texas Rangers in December, and along with the new team jersey, Burger has chosen to rep a new number.
Burger chose the number 21 in honor of his daughter, Penelope, who was born with trisomy 21 on October 25, 2024. Trisomy 21, which is more commonly known as Down syndrome, is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Burger said of his choice to wear #21,
For me, this is the first time I can pick a number that's not just close to my heart, but close to a lot of people's hearts. And for me, it's trying to spread awareness and try to get the word out about Down syndrome and how people can get support. I'm just really proud of this number and really excited to wear this and represent my daughter.
What a dad!
Before their daughter's birth, doctors told the couple that she would likely be born with Down syndrome, but Burger said that he and his wife Ashlyn weren't worried, telling PEOPLE,
Life isn't meant to be easy, it's meant to be fulfilling and this is God's way of doing just that.
They went on to say of her diagnosis,
Different looks scary or daunting but that's what makes all of us who we are. That's when we realized God blessed us with her so that we could help others see Down syndrome the same way.
...
God has gifted us a beautiful soul and a beautiful girl, and we can't wait to watch her grow up and achieve everything she wants to in life.
The couple plans to start a foundation to support other people with trisomy 21.
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