Robert Long III, known to most as Robbie, had just experienced one of his first wrestling defeats while competing for Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Baltimore County. As the referee stepped in to raise the arm of the match’s victor — a traditional gesture of sportsmanship — Robbie had a different reaction in mind.
He lifted his own arm high into the air.
From the sidelines, his father Rob Long watched closely, attempting to catch Robbie’s attention amid the crowd. As a well-known radio personality and host for Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, Rob worried about how others might perceive the gesture. He feared people might misinterpret Robbie’s actions, perhaps thinking he was trying to upstage the winner or behave unsportingly. But Robbie, who has autism, had no such intention.
“They understood, no, he wasn’t showing anyone up,” said Long, recalling the moment fondly. “He had fun. He was having fun, and that’s what I love about sports for him.”
For Robbie, fun was always at the core. That joy — that willingness to raise his arm in celebration of simply being part of something — defined his approach to sports. Now 26, Robbie played not just one, but three sports at Mount Carmel. He earned the prestigious 2017 Medal of Courage from the Maryland chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. For him, it was never about dominating the competition. It was about showing up, participating, and pushing through the challenges. That in itself was a triumph.
As Camden Yards prepares to host Autism Acceptance Night on Thursday, Rob Long and the Palmers opened up about their deeply personal journeys parenting children with autism. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental condition that affects how individuals perceive the world, communicate with others, and experience social interaction, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Orioles’ event on Thursday isn’t just a celebration — it’s a powerful statement. Local organizations working to raise awareness and support for autism have been invited to participate. The visibility and inclusivity that events like this provide are profoundly meaningful to families who live with autism every day.
“He’s perfect in my eyes,” Susan Palmer said, speaking about her 28-year-old son, Spencer.
Susan reflected on the social challenges they’ve encountered. While children often respond with kindness and curiosity, adults aren’t always as considerate. She recalled moments when she saw strangers whispering or laughing, moments that sting for a parent doing their best to help their child feel accepted in a world that doesn’t always understand.
“It’s very important to have compassion for people, especially for the parents,” she said. “The kids don’t know somebody is making fun of them or laughing at them, but the parents pick up on this and it’s hard. You’re just trying to fit in, to get through the day, and if somebody can just smile at you and show you some compassion, that really goes a long way.”
Jim Palmer, the legendary Baltimore Orioles pitcher and Hall of Famer, met Spencer when he was just four years old. At the time, Jim was in a budding relationship with Susan, who would later become his wife in 2007. Early on, Jim began to realize that connecting with Spencer would take more than just proximity — it would take intention.
Where Robbie might be fascinated by Jim’s athletic legacy, Spencer’s interests were entirely different. Jim understood quickly that he needed to meet Spencer in his world — and not expect the reverse. That world was filled with books, animated movies, and most of all, trains.
“He realized ‘in order to get Spencer interested in him, or to like him, or to engage with him, that he had to work extra hard,’” Susan explained. “I think he found that a challenge he was really excited about, because when Spencer will engage with you, you’re so excited. You’re so happy. You’re like, ‘He’s talking to me, he’s looking at me, and he’s laughing at what I have to say.’”
“Jim Palmer won Spencer over, but Spencer won Jim Palmer over,” Susan continued. “It went both ways. It was really sweet to watch unfold. Jim Palmer was just silly with him and went into his world and talked about movies.”
Jim shared his own perspective on their bond. Early in their relationship, he noticed Spencer’s discomfort with eye contact. Rather than retreat, he engaged. “Eye to eye, Spencer,” Jim would gently encourage. From there, the connection grew — nurtured by shared laughter over Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and other classic films that lit up Spencer’s world.
Yet nothing compares to Spencer’s love of trains.
“He knows everything in the world about trains,” Susan said.
Whether it’s locomotives or Pixar movies, wrestling matches or baseball stadiums, these seemingly small details are, in reality, everything. They’re the threads of connection that tie families together in the shared experience of raising children with autism. They’re the moments that matter.
And as the lights of Camden Yards glow over Autism Acceptance Night, families like the Longs and the Palmers will be there — not just as spectators, but as living proof of what understanding, effort, and love can achieve.
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