In his first full season as head coach, he led the Panthers to a playoff birth and a near-perfect season. WITH LESS THAN two minutes remaining in the game, Prospect trails 3-0 facing a fourth-and-14 just inside Sobrato territory. He drew up game plans on Madden and took them to practice. "Get over here!" Good s--- you've done with those kids. His torso pushes against his belt. I am a team player and a hard Rob has fractured cheek and orbital bones and has the effects of a concussion. Class 8A Sean Allison,. But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. "Special is bulls---. 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. The Illinois High School Association football playoff semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20 and the championship games Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27. The more successful Mendez is at proving he's just like everyone else, the more people put him on that pedestal, peg him as an inspiration and treat him, well, different from everyone else. Pick a play, execute for a few seconds, take a break, pick another play and repeat. There have been opportunities over the years to pursue prosthetic limbs, but he has turned them all down. he yells. H.S. The battery on Mendez's wheelchair is dead, so two Panthers push him onto the field. So I try not to complain. I said, 'oh yeah? And anyone who has a problem with that, prove them wrong.'". You know how Ironman gets in his suit and he just starts flying everywhere? He wanted to leave by 9 p.m., but one conversation led to another. . "I'm so proud of you. Because he weighs 50 pounds, alcohol affects him faster than people who weigh much more. The day-to-day blanks are easy for him to fill in. Otherwise there's the potential he'll need to use the bathroom without McAvoy there to help him. As the quarterback rolls out, the play unfolds perfectly. No way. For now, he's still glowing from the impact his team had on him in his first JV season. But I learned that I can be a leader. He says if he had arms and legs he has no idea how his life would be different. Preston Gannaway for ESPN High School Football players in Texas, join us for a one-day showcase on January 15 in Georgetown, TX! 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. I'm not beautiful at all. For the last few minutes of our ride, we both keep quiet. I love you, man," Lopez says. For Rob, the message from his father was simple: Embrace your differences. 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. Mendez says it started with the Madden video game. James Hamann Assistant Coach: Paul Hennig Mascot(s): Knight School Administration Superintendent: Dr. David Schuler . Prospect High School junior varsity football coach Rob Mendez, who was born without limbs, was honored on Wednesday night at the ESPYS with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. I lift him out of his chair and carry him to my car, buckling him into the passenger's seat. Being personally invited for a visit indicates clear interest from a coach. I pick up a fork, stab it into the roll, drag it through a puddle of soy sauce and put it in his mouth. For now, I start with a topic far simpler: football. In a little more than 12 hours, Prospect will play for the league JV championship. It took him more than a half hour - sometimes two steps up, one step down -- but he did it. 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. And because of Rob's lack of limbs, his father says he retains 30 percent more heat than someone who has arms and legs. He scoffs. "Put me on your shoulder," he says. Now, he inspires others to be strong and never give up despite adversity. By Tuesday afternoon, he's back at Prospect for practice, apologizing to his players for Monday's absence. He says if he had arms and legs he has no idea how his life would be different. "They gave me the feeling of being the helper. Mendez tries to explain, but the kid doesn't get it. In the months that follow, Mendez unplugs from football. Earlier in the day, Mendez flew home from Las Vegas, a 48-hour escape before the insanity of the season begins. The time away from football has given Mendez a chance to reflect on his first season as a head coach. Wayne DrehsDrehs is a senior writer for ESPN. Minorities make up 73 percent of the student body. But later he acknowledges he hated having to ask for help. He talked about building a family. I might take two steps forward and then one step back. This is the opportunity he has waited 12 years for, the one he long felt he deserved but worried would never come. 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 lean over, wrap my hands around him and lift him out of his chair. THREE MONTHS AFTER we first met, Mendez and I are in another bar, this time in downtown Campbell. With the pen, Mendez draws the X's and O's of what the play is supposed to look like and why. Is that you?" "Let's go!" Mt. There is nothing to break his fall. When the players met their new coach, the whispers began. Mendez operates his cellphone, attached to a stand on his wheelchair, with his nose and lips. "How in the world am I supposed to handle that?" She says she couldn't look at her son for the first couple of weeks. He has scoliosis, which makes his spine look far more like an "S" than the "I." They run the play again. THE COLLEGE COACHES AT THE COLLEGE COACHES SHOWCASE CAMP ARE ON THE FIELD ALL DAY I suggest we move to a lower table and make things easier. 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. WITH LESS THAN two minutes remaining in the game, Prospect trails 3-0 facing a fourth-and-14 just inside Sobrato territory. Make sense? And those kids gave me the feeling that I can do anything. Some newborns survive only a few hours or days. "Hey," he says, "Would you mind giving me a hand and putting one of those in my mouth?". The day is designed by college coaches in order to get the most out of everyone's time. They gave me a feeling of importance. Mendez doesn't buy it. This ensures that the coaches can spend quality time with all players attending and are not overwhelmed with large camp numbers. We make it to his home. Doctors prepared her and her husband for the worst. "Those kids," he says, "gave me the feeling that I can do anything." I unbuckle the belt around his waist and weave it through the slits torn on the sides of his shirt. Most days Mendez has chronic neck, back and shoulder pain. "I just try to shut it down as quickly as possible.". Mendez tries to explain, but the kid doesn't get it. But he wonders whether the players have any idea what they've given him. The throw is too long, and the ball harmlessly caroms out of bounds. "But I don't think about this the same way everybody else does. One way he was able to do this is through coaching football. on demand Sep 30, 2022 2:45 PM PDT. Unofficial or official visit invites. Every morning, he helps with just about everything. "We live and die." Nor did he and Josie have any idea how to take care of this baby. ", Mendez makes a trip to a nearby shopping center for coffee. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. Some might suggest he should be home, resting. "I'm sitting right there at the bar next to you. the driver asks. "I love you, bro. Preston Gannaway for ESPN All Rights Reserved. It's only junior varsity. And his roommate is resting back at home, exhausted from a pair of Vegas nights. This is roughly the same player-to-coach ratio on a college football roster. 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 '", Mendez taught himself the game of football by playing Madden on a PlayStation, using his chin and collarbone to push the buttons. "It wasn't very polite or sensitive. In the morning, he will coach the biggest game of his young career. As the clock approaches 11 p.m., he looks at his empty glass and asks for another drink. Some of his plays even came from playing Madden. I stuff a pad between him and the chair back -- paranoid he could fall. More award-winning storytelling from SC Featured "It brings out the best in people. "In a text message.". Now comes the opportunity to prove the school made a mistake. Prospect Golf Course . "I've been getting messages on Twitter . . I'd completely forgotten that Mendez can't feed himself. Mendez gets a fist-to-shoulder bump from every Sobrato player. The left side of his face slams into the concrete floor of the garage. I am currently a senior at Texas Community High School and I will be attending college in the fall semester of 2009. He learned how to draw and write using his mouth. That sentiment has been followed by so many other coaches that he came across in his career. It took him more than a half hour - sometimes two steps up, one step down -- but he did it. "We are two very different people. So I follow him in the bike lane, hazards on. He sees me, and he stands up straight and pulls himself together so he can open the door for me. "Rob? 803-777-0365 or [email protected]. Later, she would cover Rob in blankets when they went in public. It showed him how much energy he draws from the kids. Georgia Tech Football allows high school football coaches to request two (2) complimentary tickets to attend regular season home football games. "It gives me this sense of independence." "I just wanted to coach football.". He demanded respect, eye contact and accountability. He rolls in wearing a plain white T-shirt and faded red San Francisco 49ers hat. What do you want out of this year? "They don't have the grief of losing a limb because they never had it. Encouraged the group to play for their teammates. ", Mendez hopes to someday have the opportunity to coach varsity. 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 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. The receiver is open. I just want to prove them wrong. "It sounds so ridiculous, but it's true," he says. Shaving. He reads, draws and spends extra time with family and friends. Not until he nearly received a DUI driving Rob's handicapped accessible van did he realize the path he was on. ", Mendez struggles to deal with back and neck pain from spending all day in his chair. 7324680: 08/31/22: 03:30 PM: Match: Elk Grove High School. I tell him that's the most honest he's been in our time together. "I wish more people were like that. In a little more than 12 hours, Prospect will play for the league JV championship. by Elk Grove. "There's no way," he says. How did someone who has never thrown a ball, caught a pass or tackled anyone become a head coach? When he's away from home, he's careful about what he eats and drinks, often keeping it to no more than an iced coffee. It's almost midnight. He couldn't get enough. ", Mendez acknowledges that his presence has had a positive impact on people. Randy Clark (class of 1975) . When the final buzzer sounds, the players and coaches line up at the 50 to shake hands. "I know that's there," he says. And swimming. That's not me," Mendez says. I make mistakes. The football team won the 7A State Championship in 2001, 2002, and 2005. . "It was just it was horrible," Bob says. Email Mark Fisher. Sobrato is located across the street from his parents' home in Morgan Hill. Rob leans forward in his chair to reach his cell phone. I haven't graduated college yet. "You have to believe," he says. That's what I've realized over the years.". "He was still in diapers," Bob says. But those experiences come at great cost. 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. He's meeting me at the bar. He tells his offense he believes in them. For now, I start with a topic far simpler: football. Chicago, IL. Mendez was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, which left him without arms or legs. "Screw that," he says. "Special is bulls---. He immediately snaps. Most everyone recognizes him and says hello. On this day, one of his freshman quarterbacks struggles to grasp the footwork on the 37 stretch. Once buckled, Mendez says he feels unstoppable. And to just kill the pain," he says. Soon, it will be a nation-wide phenomenon when Rob Mendez accepts the 2019 Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYS on July 10. Can you lift me out of my chair?". Brushing teeth. Mendez didn't care. I am a junior at City High School. Ditas Faraon Buhler Science Teacher. I don't sign up for being inspirational Rob.". The players jog back to their positions. It's just me. Mendez gets a fist-to-shoulder bump from every Sobrato player. They sit in front of us, untouched, for nearly 10 minutes. And ended each practice with the same message: I love you guys. Coaches teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. ", Even if it were true, Mendez wouldn't look at things that way. But seven? While he knows that day will be a life-changing experience, he remains humble. 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. Any other details they should know (If you have previously attended the school's camp or met the coaches) Sample Introductory Email: To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Keep your heads up. "If I can go out there and power through four or five hours, then I'm OK.", Says McAvoy: "That's just him. He's had people who hear his story and then approach him in tears. "Complaining is my No. "Like a pancake hitting the ground. He has scoliosis, which makes his spine look far more like an "S" than the "I." "I just wanted to coach football." He briefly leaves Rob in the garage to run inside. The last question is far more complicated. Mark Fisher 3D Design Teacher. Email Melissa Feucht. When we pull into the driveway, McAvoy comes out and carries Mendez into the house. "No, no, no," he says. Mendez calls his last timeout. On warmer days, he can get bed sores from sitting in the same position too long. With a dream of one day becoming a head football coach, Mendez worked for years as an assistant at various schools, until he was finally given the opportunity hed been working for. "I think every parent worries about their kids when they leave this earth," Bob says. His parents connected him with Vujicic, who Mendez said told him he could make $25,000 per night as a motivational speaker. "You know how Ironman gets in his suit and he just starts flying everywhere? A young boy holds open the door as Mendez approaches his favorite spot. I think he needs them just as much." I guess that from my nurturing from my parents and my determination to be successful in life, as well as all the doubts along the way, I've become more hungry along the way to just be accomplishing in football and in the career of coaching. They gave me a feeling of importance. The World Series is on television. The driver makes a U-turn, pulls in front of Mendez and flips on his hazards. One player quit because of Mendez. He asks his quarterback for a hug. Cable obliged. When Mendez first took over the coaching job, many kids on the team were surprised to see a man with his condition coaching them. What do you want out of this year? I panic. 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