Prospect Men's Cross Country and Track and Field @PHSKnightsXCTF Feb 12 Varsity winners from last night Tuchner - 8.33 55mHH Balenda, Sahakian, Holtmeier and Walsh - 1:36.42 4x200 Raitano - 54.69 400m Garland 4:37.85 1600m Diversey, Tuchner, Guagliardo, Balenda 3:47.19 4x400 Guagliardo 5'8" HJ Holtmeier 20'11 LJ, 42'3" TJ Kamp 50'8" SP Prospect stifled Evanston on two late fourth quarter drives, and senior Gavin Flanagan booted the game-winning field goal as Prospect survived with a 17-14 Homecoming win to improve to 3-0 on. It isn't the first time Rob has fallen out of his chair. The World Series is on television. His parents connected him with Vujicic, who Mendez said told him he could make $25,000 per night as a motivational speaker. When his friends went out for football his freshman year of high school, Rob became the team manager. The coach nods and says "thank you.". Cable obliged. Holding court, triggering laughs and helping people realize for a few minutes that a man in a wheelchair without arms and legs is just like anyone else. I think he needs them just as much." I pick up a fork, stab it into the roll, drag it through a puddle of soy sauce and put it in his mouth. I suggest we move to a lower table and make things easier. Later, she would cover Rob in blankets when they went in public. The season has been a greater success than Mendez could have imagined. What the hell does that even mean? Watch Later. It took him more than a half hour - sometimes two steps up, one step down -- but he did it. But this time, he has no idea the belt around his waist isn't buckled. Prepped for head coach Victor Winters at Gadsden County High School in Havana, Flarated a three-star prospecta first-team all-state and a first-team All-Big Bend selection for the Jaguars after grading out over 90 percentinvited to participate in the NUC All-American Game in 2022had interest from several programs, including Florida Atlantic, Maryland, South Florida, Wake Forest . I definitely want to be a varsity head coach, if not, advanced in the college career or the NFL. Come play a 9-hole scramble at Sunken Gardens in Sunnyvale on July 30th! The interview began with Mendez asking Cable for a fist bump on the shoulder. Now the entire Prospect program circles around Mendez at midfield. He doesn't eat right. Encouraged the group to play for their teammates. How safe is your neighborhood? "I guess you saw a little bit of the other side tonight. Rob is no different.". he says. He towed his friends around the neighborhood on their skateboards. "They don't have the grief of losing a limb because they never had it. It isn't the first time Rob has fallen out of his chair. "I appreciate you," Mendez says. "The Super Bowl of JV football," he says. Prospect's defense held off Maine South for the final 44 seconds to secure a 42-41 win. High school coaches are notoriously hard to contact. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated currently ranks Manning as the No. I panic. He says if he had arms and legs he has no idea how his life would be different. Still does. It's the Friday night before Halloween. Its classrooms are a melting pot. To feel comfortable. ", Born without arms or legs, Rob Mendez was never able to play football, but that didn't stop him from pursuing his passion for the game as a coach.ESPN. It's just natural to just be bold and try things in life. Email Mark Fisher. "I'm sorry," he says. Only football coach requests will be accepted. "No, no, no," he says. Andre Jackson gets instructions from Mendez during the team's first game of the season. Rob has fractured cheek and orbital bones and has the effects of a concussion. How are you going to get there?". He briefly leaves Rob in the garage to run inside. Now he has everyone asking, "who says I can't? He is 50 pounds of head, neck, torso and waist. Most days Mendez has chronic neck, back and shoulder pain. "There was one word my dad never liked -- special," Mendez says. The positiveness of your mind can get you to do unbelievable things and feats and that's what he does.". The school sits on the western edge of Silicon Valley, just 5 miles from Apple's campus. The season begins in a month. Embrace it. Mendez picks a spot at the bar next to two women. This time it's flawless. Minorities make up 73 percent of the student body. It's now a full-on escort -- a motorized wheelchair flanked by two cars with their hazards flashing. Sobrato is located across the street from his parents' home in Morgan Hill. Not having arms or legs has stopped Mendez from being able to play sports or do certain jobs he has always been interested in, like being an electrician, but he always fought to find ways to be happy. And his roommate is resting back at home, exhausted from a pair of Vegas nights. "It didn't take long for me to figure out that alcohol is not the answer.". Confirmation/Rejection emails will be sent out by 1:00 PM Thursday letting you know if you are awarded tickets. Things like that happen all the time. The next generation of basketball legends will rock uniforms by New York City-based streetwear designer Eric Emanuel. But Mendez doesn't care about that. I am currently a senior at Texas Community High School and I will be attending college in the fall semester of 2009. And buckling Rob into his chair. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. They just want to move, explore and live. Despite the fast changeover, coaches and players are ready for a full 9-game season. But later he acknowledges he hated having to ask for help. He despises the word "special.". So I follow him in the bike lane, hazards on. And he doesn't like the idea I have for framing his story. Now comes the opportunity to prove the school made a mistake. As the quarterback rolls out, the play unfolds perfectly. "But I don't think about this the same way everybody else does. Mendez looks up as the quarterback's pass sails overhead. But those experiences come at great cost. A 10-story building hitting the ground. All the honorees will . On Feb. 23, Dan DeBoeuf, the former head coach at Johnsburg High School was named the head coach of Prospect. He scoffs. When his friends played basketball, Rob was the referee. His torso pushes against his belt. Later, she would cover Rob in blankets when they went in public. Aleksic, Danilo ( Fr.) He talked about building a family. I put Mendez on my shoulder, turn and then set him in the chair next to me. Now comes the opportunity to prove the school made a mistake. He says thank you. "In a text message.". "I just think that me showing people that I can accomplish my goals, which actually still is not really completely fulfilled yet. THE DAY AFTER teaching his quarterback the 37 stretch, Mendez sits under the lights at the Prospect 50-yard line, exhausted. "How in the world am I supposed to handle that?" "It gives me this sense of independence. But Rob refuses because the upper belt limits his ability to access his phone and draw plays. "I guess you saw a little bit of the other side tonight. And how does he deal with such a challenging life? Mendez gives me directions. I don't focus on it." What the hell does that even mean? Minorities make up 73 percent of the student body. 2. Without his wheelchair working properly, he can't raise its height to sit next to me at the bar. Embrace it. Randy Clark (class of 1975) . "Where you going, man?" Taking a bath. 42-13 (L) Prospect @ Independence On 9/16, the Prospect varsity football team lost their away non-conference game against Independence (San Jose, CA) by a score of 42-13 . I just knew he was the right man for the job.". Mendez is hungry. It's all good.". It feels as if everyone is staring. That night he can't sleep. Next year you'll be back in it, believe me. "I'm pretty good at dealing with pain, and I didn't want to stay home feeling sorry for myself," he says. Last April, the varsity coach at Prospect was looking for someone to help change the culture of the Prospect program when he came across Mendez's rsum. "When someone is born this way, this is their world," says Dr. Benjamin Mandac, Mendez's pediatric physical therapist who now is the head of that department at Kaiser Permanente in the Bay Area. "You have to believe," he says. he yells. But most importantly, it's given him an understanding of his journey in this world, a path untethered to anything anyone on the outside might say, think or believe. How could someone who had never held a football teach a freshman how to throw, tackle or block? Its classrooms are a melting pot. Prospect High School Football team golf tournament and smoked BBQ fundraiser! He asks his quarterback for a hug. It just makes me mad." By his senior year, he worked his way up to quarterbacks coach. Prospect Golf Course . Some newborns survive only a few hours or days. But Mendez doesn't care about that. He sees me, and he stands up straight and pulls himself together so he can open the door for me. A 10-story building hitting the ground. That's not me," Mendez says. It has given him a life otherwise inaccessible. "It wasn't very polite or sensitive. I love when the kids say 'nobody', because it's true. Otherwise it won't work. This also ensures that prospects will have time to interact with the coaches and learn from them in a small group and one-on-one setting. I might take two steps forward and then one step back. Otherwise it won't work. I can work with people. After a few minutes of conversation, he seemed like any other football coach having a beer on a Friday night. And ended each practice with the same message: I love you guys. College Football Prospect ID events are the first premier event following the 2022 high school and college football seasons. How High School Football Coaches Help Their Players Get Recruited Sanjay Kirpalani July 5, 2013 Dothan (Ala.) High School head coach Kelvis White is one example of prep coaches doing. His head drops. Bob rushes his son to the hospital. I think back to something his pediatric physical therapist told me. When the final buzzer sounds, the players and coaches line up at the 50 to shake hands. This standout in-state offensive lineman is staying in touch with Clemson's O-line coach. "They don't have the grief of losing a limb because they never had it. For the last few minutes of our ride, we both keep quiet. He knew his offense, he knows his x's and o's and he brings an energy to the team, the players and the rest of the coaching staff. But after losing the season opener to Santa Clara, his Panthers won seven games in a row. "So I try to stay positive. He has scoliosis, which makes his spine look far more like an "S" than the "I." "Like a pancake hitting the ground. I mention that one of the themes I'm thinking about for his story is this idea of a beautiful mind. Elk Grove High School. Ditas Faraon Buhler Science Teacher. by Elk Grove. 9 overall prospect in the country. "We are two very different people. How did someone who has never thrown a ball, caught a pass or tackled anyone become a head coach? Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. DeBoeuf named new football coach February 23, 2018 By Jack Ankony, Executive Sports Editor A new, energetic face will be leading the Prospect Football program into George Gattas Memorial Stadium on Friday nights next fall. A very small percentage. 7324680: 08/31/22: 03:30 PM: Match: Elk Grove High School. In his first full season as head coach, he led the Panthers to a playoff birth and a near-perfect season. But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. And buckling Rob into his chair. ", In the months that follow, Mendez unplugs from football. Prospect High School, or Prospect, is a public four-year high school in Mount Prospect, Illinois, . WVSN instantly reached out to the 2025 class [] WVSN instantly reached out to the 2025 class prospect to find out more about his talks with WVU offensive line coach Matt Moore and his current mindset about his future. He couldn't get enough. "It's 37 stretch, right? "I use my neck like my arm," Mendez says. We're the ones who feel sorry for them and say, 'Oh you poor thing.' SARATOGA, Calif. (KGO) -- Bay Area high school football coach Rob Mendez was born with a rare disorder called tetra-amelia syndrome, leaving him with no arms or legs. Push the limits. One thing the boy clearly didn't lack: confidence. Three other players start chitchatting between reps. Mendez loses it. It's an image his brain can't compute. In an earlier sworn deposition as part of a lawsuit filed by former Valdosta High football coach Alan Rodemaker, Nelson accused Propst of wanting $2,500 per month to pay for rent and other . "I know that's there," he says. Rob's father saw potential in the happy, spunky baby, but also wrestled with his own emotions, admitting he often asked God "why?" Prospect High School. "I like the way I am, really," he says. The school they will face, Ann Sobrato, fired Mendez as an assistant three years earlier. IN HIS 30 years, Mendez can't recall a single dream in which he has had arms or legs. And Mendez had the title he had achingly sought: head coach. Steven O'Dell, a big class of 2024 prospect from Broome High School in Spartanburg, told The Clemson Insider that he's been hearing some from the Tigers via social media and communicating with Thomas Austin. A handful of schools reach out about head-coaching jobs, but he says he's almost certain he will return to Prospect to lead its JV squad again next season. College Football Prospect ID events are the first premier event following the 2022 high school and college football seasons. Nobody but yourself can hold yourself back. IT WASN'T UNTIL an ultrasound in the eighth month of her pregnancy that Rob's mother, Josie, found out her son was not growing limbs. He's had people who hear his story and then approach him in tears. "I don't think I could do that to those kids," he says. "The one thing that I want people to see is just how hard work pays off," Mendez said. "You know how it is.". ONE WEEK LATER, Prospect finishes its season 8-2 with a 19-13 victory over Yerba Buena. By his senior year, he worked his way up to quarterbacks coach. He has spent his life fighting statistics, proving doctors and doubters wrong. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. I'm not beautiful at all. The 14-year-old wraps his arms tightly around Mendez's back. Chicago, IL. He demanded respect, eye contact and accountability. Pick a play, execute for a few seconds, take a break, pick another play and repeat. On convenience alone, it would have been the perfect place for him to coach forever. I can adjust to anything that's thrown my way. And there's the reality of what he feels, but rarely reveals. The time away from football has given Mendez a chance to reflect on his first season as a head coach. Kicking Instruction by NFL Kickers and top collegiates NATIONAL KICKING SERVICE FOOTBALL KICKING, PUNTING, AND LONG SNAPPING CAMPS Recommended by NFL Players & Coaches Since 1988, one of football's most respected authorities on Special Teams Skills Groundbreaking Biomechanics Training Program Summer camps are authentic pro-style overnight camps. I stuff a pad between him and the chair back -- paranoid he could fall. "I couldn't follow up with more of a class act," DeBoeuf said. At first, students and staffers did not quite know what to make of Robert, but it did not take him long to put their fears to rest. I don't want to be put on a pedestal. The next day he spends almost entirely in bed, unable to open his eyes. 1 poison," he says. Even if it were true, Mendez wouldn't look at things that way. Luis Lopez, the JV coach who worked with Mendez at the school, hugs Mendez. This is roughly the same player-to-coach ratio on a college football roster. I'm proud of everyone. High School Football players in Texas, join us for a one-day showcase on January 15 in Georgetown, TX! It's a move he makes countless times a day. ", Even if it were true, Mendez wouldn't look at things that way. ", He acknowledges that the attention is often uncomfortable. My dad would tell me, 'You're not special, Rob. You guys fought your butts off. His team is a mix of freshmen and sophomores, some with a bit of experience, most with little to none. He learned how to draw and write using his mouth. I said, 'oh yeah? His jaw dropped. One player quit because of Mendez. "By the time I was a senior in high school I was wearing a headset with the coaches and listening to them," he said. I don't sign up for being inspirational Rob." Mendez shakes his head. I'm proud of everyone. "I love you, bro. But it isn't that simple. He insists he's fine, and we order beers. "Let's go!" DeBoeuf could not be more honored to be chosen to replace Martindale. Combing hair. ", Physically, Mendez is unlike any other high school football coach in the U.S. Mentally and emotionally, he's no different. Thats how I feel in my chair. ", "You don't need to apologize," Mendez says. But those who stayed learned about their new coach. Mendez screams. The other kids are special, too. Bob eventually turned to alcohol. And because of Rob's lack of limbs, his father says he retains 30 percent more heat than someone who has arms and legs. It isn't about what the players did right or wrong or what they need to clean up before the next game. "And the muscles in your neck are not supposed to be used that often. But he's always there for the kids. Says McAvoy: "That's just him. The biography of Nick Vujicic, a 36-year-old motivational speaker from Australia who also has tetra-amelia, says there are just seven known people living in the world today with the syndrome. Mendez gains happiness and joy through helping others and that will be his message when he takes the podium for his acceptance speech. IT WASN'T UNTIL an ultrasound in the eighth month of her pregnancy that Rob's mother, Josie, found out her son was not growing limbs. It took him more than a half hour - sometimes two steps up, one step down -- but he did it. Push the limits. I haven't graduated college yet. Livingston told me Mendez's presence is living proof of what humans are capable of. It wasn't like there was a store to buy clothes or toys for children with no arms and legs. The coach. "As he approached, I didn't know how he could be a football coach. I'd completely forgotten that Mendez can't feed himself. I love that. But I don't know what else to say. It just makes me mad.". When the players met their new coach, the whispers began. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. Cable obliged. "You don't need to apologize," Mendez says. Livingston told me Mendez's presence is living proof of what humans are capable of. We're going to fake it this way and then waggle out," he says. That's what I've realized over the years.". 1 poison. As the clock approaches 11 p.m., he looks at his empty glass and asks for another drink. Subject: Johnny Appleseed 2019 P/SS. He absorbed everything he could. He says they need him, but you know what? Helped Blackman to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the third round of the Class 6A playoffs . Is that you?" He's a great guy and I'll go to the end of the earth for him.". "I'm not going to lie. He despises the word "special." But he hates the sidewalk. But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. As much as he doesn't want this syndrome to define him, at the same time there's a part of him that loves the fact that it sort of does. 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