When his friends went out for football his freshman year of high school, Rob became the team manager. He can be stubborn. Without his wheelchair working properly, he can't raise its height to sit next to me at the bar. But those who stayed learned about their new coach. It doesn't lead to a good place. THE COLLEGE COACHES AT THE COLLEGE COACHES SHOWCASE CAMP ARE ON THE FIELD ALL DAY "If I can go out there and power through four or five hours, then I'm OK.", Says McAvoy: "That's just him. He learned how to draw and write using his mouth. The battery on his wheelchair is dead, and he wants to charge it at school overnight. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. But he hates the sidewalk. "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. St. Rita High School. But those who stayed learned about their new coach. Mendez gives me directions. He developed a great football mind, but he wanted more. The junior quarterback was 24-for-42 . He put the name into Google. He rolls in wearing a plain white T-shirt and faded red San Francisco 49ers hat. "Yes, Coach," the quarterback says. Push the limits. Rob's father saw potential in the happy, spunky baby, but also wrestled with his own emotions, admitting he often asked God "why?" Michael Furlong CTE Teacher, AVID Elective Teacher. "Great job, Coach. But he wonders whether the players have any idea what they've given him. "I'm not the perfect guy. "There's no way," he says. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. "So I try to stay positive. 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. How are you going to get there?" Like us on Facebook to see similar stories Please give an overall site rating . But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. His team is a mix of freshmen and sophomores, some with a bit of experience, most with little to none. It seems like no big deal. This one is simple, there's no reason to attend a showcase camp with nationally ranked D1 programs and pro scouts if you play at the D2 level. There is nothing to break his fall. "It is a quick turnaround that's for sure, "said Prospect coach Dan DeBoeuf, whose team was able to get a full practice completed Monday afternoon. They have to buy the fake. "The Super Bowl of JV football," he says. The season begins in a month. You know how Ironman gets in his suit and he just starts flying everywhere? It just makes me mad. You hear stories about people with cancer, fighting for their lives. Every morning, he helps with just about everything. And buckling Rob into his chair. I mention that it seems as if anything that reminds him of his physical challenges bugs him. It is hard for college coaches to obtain rosters from high school coaches, and even harder to get them to hand over contact . Gradey Dick, a five-star Kansas commit, enjoyed one of the greatest shooting seasons in high school basketball history. How do you move a fully grown adult with no arms and legs? How does he go to the bathroom? Encouraged the group to play for their teammates. "Special is bulls---. I can adjust to anything that's thrown my way. Tee times will be between 10 AM and Noon with a smoked bbq lunch buffet served by award-winning BBQ Chefs from Old Greenwood BBQ! Preston Gannaway for ESPN "Said they wanted to move on without me," Mendez says. By Tuesday afternoon, he's back at Prospect for practice, apologizing to his players for Monday's absence. He can see how they've grown as players and people. Unlike fighting or fantasy games where he constantly had to engage, football gave him breaks. I'd completely forgotten that Mendez can't feed himself. Mendez taught himself the game of football by playing Madden on a PlayStation, using his chin and collarbone to push the buttons. "How in the world am I supposed to handle that?" 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. Mendez didn't care. And his roommate is resting back at home, exhausted from a pair of Vegas nights. But at 24, I didn't really know what to do or say at the time.". ", Mendez struggles to deal with back and neck pain from spending all day in his chair. But he wonders whether the players have any idea what they've given him. He turns his face to the right, pulls his head back and prays. "I just wanted to coach football." On this night, on the same field where this journey began, Mendez gathers his team one last time. ", "You don't need to apologize," Mendez says. How does he sleep? was something that was very much for me to always stick with and I hope people take away from it in a positive way where they are comfortable to motivate themselves to do whatever they want in life.". On convenience alone, it would have been the perfect place for him to coach forever. For Rob, the message from his father was simple: Embrace your differences. I love you, man," Lopez says. Rob is no different.". The battery on his wheelchair is dead, and he wants to charge it at school overnight. Soon, it will be a nation-wide phenomenon when Rob Mendez accepts the 2019 Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYS on July 10. Make sense?" Email Melissa Feucht. Instead, Mendez repeats two words over and over and over: thank you. Where do I put my hands? And with that, in this world, I know I'm going to be all right.". He tumbles forward. The receiver is open. "I can guarantee you there is someone with no arms and legs living in the mountains somewhere with a whole different story who isn't as active as we are. "I'm so proud of you. And he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He briefly leaves Rob in the garage to run inside. He couldn't get enough. Prospect's lone highlight came on defense when, just before halftime, the Panthers stonewalled Sobrato on four straight plays from the goal line to keep the game scoreless. It's a move he makes countless times a day. And to just kill the pain," he says. At that point, she says, abortion wasn't an option. But Mendez won't give up that easily. 1 poison. This is roughly the same player-to-coach ratio on a college football roster. THREE MONTHS AFTER we first met, Mendez and I are in another bar, this time in downtown Campbell. His head drops. Call or Email the Football Office to acquire the 2022 Ticket Code. But this time, he has no idea the belt around his waist isn't buckled. His older sister, Jackie, pushed her brother to try new things and one day tucked a PlayStation controller under his chin. If all goes well, a receiver should be open about 15 yards downfield right in front of the Prospect sideline. Shaving. As the quarterback rolls out, the play unfolds perfectly. His older sister, Jackie, pushed her brother to try new things and one day tucked a PlayStation controller under his chin. The World Series is on television. "You know how it is.". The next day he spends almost entirely in bed, unable to open his eyes. And his roommate is resting back at home, exhausted from a pair of Vegas nights. The positiveness of your mind can get you to do unbelievable things and feats and that's what he does.". You don't have a realistic view of your ability and playing level. I make mistakes. MENDEZ'S WHEELCHAIR NEVER sits still, but the way it pinballs back and forth between the hashmarks on the Prospect practice field says the coach is not happy. At 18 years old, he moved up to be the quarterback's coach on his high school's football team. If I'm sitting there and don't smile or say hello, I just feel like that's rude." He despises the word "special." I'm proud of you. Mendez gives me directions. Now, he inspires others to be strong and never give up despite adversity. Watch Later. Neither team has moved the ball all day, with the game's only points coming on a 35-yard Sobrato field goal three minutes earlier. "It's 37 stretch, right? High School North Kansas City . He wanted to leave by 9 p.m., but one conversation led to another. 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. And how does he deal with such a challenging life? He acknowledges that the attention is often uncomfortable. "I can guarantee you there is someone with no arms and legs living in the mountains somewhere with a whole different story who isn't as active as we are. He is mobile thanks to the chair he controls with his head and neck. "How in the world am I supposed to handle that?" "And the muscles in your neck are not supposed to be used that often. It isn't the first time Rob has fallen out of his chair. I think back to something his pediatric physical therapist told me. "But we really have to sell that we are going that way. I just want to prove them wrong. In the morning, he will coach the biggest game of his young career. I'm in Las Vegas and there's some guy stumbling drunk, looks like he was just in a fight. They chose to stay with him. It's an accomplishment to the public because I have no arms and legs, but the reality is I'm not accomplished. You MUST have the correct code in order to receive tickets. Bob hears the sound from a few feet away. Practice starts in a few days. Football coach without arms or legs inspires teamBorn 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 Tears begin to fall. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. He's a great guy and I'll go to the end of the earth for him.". He says thank you. Some might suggest he should be home, resting. How to Be a High School Football Coach Download Article parts 1 Gaining the Necessary Skills 2 Landing a Job 3 Becoming a Great Coach Other Sections Related Articles References Co-authored by wikiHow Staff Last Updated: June 10, 2021 References Coaching high school football requires more than passion for the game. They sit in front of us, untouched, for nearly 10 minutes. "Hey," he says, "Would you mind giving me a hand and putting one of those in my mouth?" DeBoeuf could not be more honored to be chosen to replace Martindale. Watch Later. "It was just it was horrible," Bob says. And Mendez had the title he had achingly sought: head coach. He's meeting me at the bar. Mendez is hungry. Only football coach requests will be accepted. "They don't have the grief of losing a limb because they never had it. It took him more than a half hour - sometimes two steps up, one step down -- but he did it. We'll get to that. It has given him a life otherwise inaccessible. by Elk Grove. "They would whisper," he says. We'll get to that. So I try to stay positive. His father has long wished that Rob would wear an upper belt as well as the one that wraps around his waist. I'm proud of you. I suggest we move to a lower table and make things easier. "No, no, no," he says. 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. It gives me this sense of independence., Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. ", 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. Next year you'll be back in it, believe me. "It's just me." He can be stubborn. ", Physically, Mendez is unlike any other high school football coach in the U.S. Mentally and emotionally, he's no different. She says she couldn't look at her son for the first couple of weeks. He has lived his entire life without arms and legs. "Special is bulls---. But seven? "I got it. That's not me," Mendez says. It means that you aren't putting yourself in front of coaches that would actually recruit you. And ended each practice with the same message: I love you guys. Taking a bath. A very small percentage. He has heard it from their parents and teachers. It confirmed how much he despises losing. The left side of his face slams into the concrete floor of the garage. After his speech, Mendez asks for a ride home. I lean over, wrap my hands around him and lift him out of his chair. "You have to believe," he says. Mendez says it started with the Madden video game. And anyone who has a problem with that, prove them wrong.'". They chose to stay with him. On warmer days, he can get bed sores from sitting in the same position too long. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. "No, no, no," he says. And there's the reality of what he feels, but rarely reveals. "Think about it. We offer the best pricing for sports recruiting videos on the internet and our turnaround time is usually 48 hours or less! Mendez calls his last timeout. It actually came well before Mendez started coaching football. When we pull into the driveway, McAvoy comes out and carries Mendez into the house. 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. I tell him that's the most honest he's been in our time together. Chicago, IL. "Complaining is my No. But I'm 30 years old and a JV high school football coach. What do you want out of this year? He despises the word "special.". Prospect High School ( PHS) is a public high school in Saratoga, California, United States. My dad would tell me, 'You're not special, Rob. "I love you, bro. "Put me on your shoulder," he says. "This was confirmation that you know what, I'm doing OK," he says. Full-time coaches may work more than 40 hours a week for several months during the sports season. Not until he nearly received a DUI driving Rob's handicapped accessible van did he realize the path he was on. He drew up game plans on Madden and took them to practice. It's an image his brain can't compute. It feels as if everyone is staring. McAvoy has been Mendez's caretaker for the past six years. "When an able-body person says that they can't do something, his greatest message is, 'who says I can't?' "Let's get to the bottom of it. Cable obliged. Prospect's defense held off Maine South for the final 44 seconds to secure a 42-41 win. Most everyone recognizes him and says hello. So I follow him in the bike lane, hazards on. Thats how I feel in my chair. There have been opportunities over the years to pursue prosthetic limbs, but he has turned them all down. And that's special because sometimes in this world, on a day-to-day basis, I wish I could do more. A few days before Rob was born, doctors walked his father, Robert Mendez Sr., through the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. "I just think that me showing people that I can accomplish my goals, which actually still is not really completely fulfilled yet. This can cost you more than just money. To feel comfortable. I haven't graduated college yet. 9 overall prospect in the country. Rob is no different." It's just me. The 14-year-old wraps his arms tightly around Mendez's back. Doctors recommend surgery. "They gave me the feeling of being the helper. The receiver is open. McAvoy has been Mendez's caretaker for the past six years. Mendez has made stops at many different schools across the Bay Area, including Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill, Calif. where he met Coach Tim Alvernaz. Eventually, he became the head coach of. Mendez was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare congenital disorder that prevents the formation of limbs during embryonic development. When the players met their new coach, the whispers began. "They gave me the feeling of being the helper. As a senior, had 74 catches for 1,229 yards and 18 touchdowns . 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. He says they need him, but you know what? "About damn time," McAvoy says with a grin. Prospect, IL 60056 Phone: 847-718-5200 Fax: 847-718-5224 School Web Site: phs.d214.org Enrollment: 2107 Conference (s): Mid-Suburban League Nickname (s): Knights (boys), Knights (girls) Colors: Navy Blue/Columbia Blue School Type: Public Coed County: Cook They just want to move, explore and live. "I've always been someone to be not afraid of failure," Mendez said. 2 QB and overall prospect by ESPN and is . Some might suggest he should be home, resting. on demand Sep 30, 2022 2:45 PM PDT. 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