Pool players from across the region are in Davenport this week for the AmericanCue Sports tournament.
In a room full of pool players, one sticks out among the rest meet Tom Davis. He was partially paralyzed 35 years ago in a stabbing.
“It’s tough. There may be more practice involved and keeping your, it’s all about keeping your stick straight and that’s kind of hard to do when you’re sitting down,” said Davis.
Despite his disability, he’s known as a fierce competitor in pool tournaments.
“I play against him on leagues, but playing with him he’s solid and you always, if it’s a tight spot, you want Tom up for sure,” said Kris Castel, a long-time friend and competitor of Davis.
Even professional players are impressed by Davis’s talent.
“My first impressions were probably like ‘How does he play?’ I’ve never seen this before, I was just a little confused, I was a younger player when I first saw him, but after I saw him play, I was like ‘This guy’s a really good player,'” said Sam Henderson, a 19-year-old professional pool player.
Davis says he plays for more than just the challenge.
“It’s the people, you know what I mean, a lot of it is the people. It’s the game too, I mean once it gets in your blood you get addicted to it for sure. That’s what makes you better though you know get the consistency down, but it’s the people,” said Davis.
And he hopes his story inspires others to overcome whatever obstacles they face.
“It just shows you can do anything you want to do. It doesn’t matter where you’re at – whether you’re sitting, standing, whatever. You put your mind to it; it all pays off. Pool is like life: What you put into it is what you’re going to get out of it,” said Davis.