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 talked about building a family. Mendez gives me directions. "Just focus -- you got this.". He couldn't get enough. 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. In a little more than 12 hours, Prospect will play for the league JV championship. Things like that happen all the time. He despises the word "special." Elk Grove Village, IL. It wasn't like there was a store to buy clothes or toys for children with no arms and legs. After. Initially, Josie struggled. Initially, Josie struggled. Prospect High School Football team golf tournament and smoked BBQ fundraiser! "Hey," he says, "Would you mind giving me a hand and putting one of those in my mouth?" When his friends went out for football his freshman year of high school, Rob became the team manager. 9 overall prospect in the country. Mendez operates his cellphone, attached to a stand on his wheelchair, with his nose and lips. Mendez calls his last timeout. But those who stayed learned about their new coach. Rob would set his chin on the ledge of the next step and use that to lift his entire body. Also by Wayne Drehs: Grounds for Return. He tells his offense he believes in them. This is one of the worst falls. This is why WVU has already extended an offer to the Pickerington Central High School product from Ohio. His resiliency inspired others around him and made it an asset to have him on the staff. Mendez didn't care. "I was drinking to forget. One of the bartenders reminds him he's not supposed to have more than two drinks. "I just wanted to coach football.". He turns his face to the right, pulls his head back and prays. And ended each practice with the same message: I love you guys. He sees me, and he stands up straight and pulls himself together so he can open the door for me. "But I don't think about this the same way everybody else does. They wanted Bob to see other babies born with disabilities. But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. I was a little nervous about it," Cable says. The Transfer Portal Changes How College Coaches Recruit High School Football Players - Inside the Knights The Transfer Portal, How it Changes High School Football Recruiting High. Prospect High School. It has given him a life otherwise inaccessible. he yells. I panic. And that's special because sometimes in this world, on a day-to-day basis, I wish I could do more. "We have unfinished business." "It was just it was horrible," Bob says. "I think every parent worries about their kids when they leave this earth," Bob says. "Who says I can't?" "I'm not going to let that happen. He was recently appointed as the President of the California Coaches Association. ", Mendez leans forward in his chair. THREE MONTHS AFTER we first met, Mendez and I are in another bar, this time in downtown Campbell. Later, she would cover Rob in blankets when they went in public. "Thank you," he says to me after his first sip. He even got to call some plays. 31 years later, he's. He tells the story of his father putting him on the stairs when he was 9 years old, demanding that he climb to the top. "Said they wanted to move on without me," Mendez says. But at 24, I didn't really know what to do or say at the time.". I don't focus on it. Georgia Tech Football allows high school football coaches to request two (2) complimentary tickets to attend regular season home football games. But he hates the sidewalk. 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. "It wasn't very polite or sensitive. It feels as if everyone is staring. It's a testament to his ability to be comfortable in any surrounding and put strangers at ease. Mendez is hungry. This time it's flawless. Rashada, a California high school star, returned home to the San Francisco suburb of Pittsburg instead of enrolling. In his chair, he is constantly shifting, twisting and adjusting his posture. He tells the story of his father putting him on the stairs when he was 9 years old, demanding that he climb to the top. "This is a defining moment for our program," Vierneisel said. It's the Friday night before Halloween. He's meeting me at the bar. It's an accomplishment to the public because I have no arms and legs, but the reality is I'm not accomplished. And Mendez had the title he had achingly sought: head coach. That's how I feel in my chair," he says. He has spent his life fighting statistics, proving doctors and doubters wrong. 1. Where do I put my hands? Clay, Brock Powell, Bryant ( Fr.) It just makes me mad." Rob's father saw potential in the happy, spunky baby, but also wrestled with his own emotions, admitting he often asked God "why?" Prospect's Amazing and Dedicated Coaches! Pub. Mendez screams. Mendez leans forward in his chair. The receiver is open. But it isn't that simple. He can barely open his mouth. That sentiment has been followed by so many other coaches that he came across in his career. He immediately snaps. "It's 37 stretch, right? I'm not beautiful at all. The coach nods and says "thank you." Melissa Feucht English Department Chair. But this time, he has no idea the belt around his waist isn't buckled. He demanded respect, eye contact and accountability. I'm proud of everyone. She says she couldn't look at her son for the first couple of weeks. Rob is no different.". "That's how humans are -- they adapt. Three-star prospect by 247Sports . He doesn't listen. His comes with a straw. Watch the 2019 ESPYS Awards only on ABC7 on July 10, 2019 at 5 p.m. PST. Some newborns survive only a few hours or days. Subject: Johnny Appleseed 2019 P/SS. And few at Prospect High School, some 40 miles up the road in Saratoga, can remember the last time its JV won much of anything. I just want to be Coach Rob. Preston Gannaway for ESPN Mark Fisher 3D Design Teacher. He's like Norm from "Cheers." "They would whisper," he says. 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. He learned to press the buttons with his chin and collarbone. "They gave me the feeling of being the helper. "I think it always will." "I'm sitting right there at the bar next to you. "He was still in diapers," Bob says. Sobrato is located across the street from his parents' home in Morgan Hill. Bob rushes his son to the hospital. I swear. But later he acknowledges he hated having to ask for help. Work Environment Part-time work is common for coaches and scouts. "Hey," he says, "Would you mind giving me a hand and putting one of those in my mouth?". he says. I know what you're saying. "I like the way I am, really," he says. "But we really have to sell that we are going that way. Practice starts in a few days. Mendez took over as the coach for Prospect Highs JV team, and led his players to an incredible 8-2 season. And anyone who has a problem with that, prove them wrong.'" "How in the world am I supposed to handle that?" Cable obliged. I definitely want to be a varsity head coach, if not, advanced in the college career or the NFL. Most days Mendez has chronic neck, back and shoulder pain. And ended each practice with the same message: I love you guys. (2007-10), and Wake Forest Demon Decons (2010-14); currently an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies. But coaches on his staff says he only used that as an opportunity to teach and motivate once again. "How in the world am I supposed to handle that?" You're different. This life it just isn't always easy. 50/50 raffle will be available as well as over 20 beers on tap . The pain of the loss hurt, but it did not stop his fire. "If I can go out there and power through four or five hours, then I'm OK." "That's what I'm talking about! At that point, she says, abortion wasn't an option. Mendez didnt allow his differences to limit him, though, and developed a passion for coaching by learning the game of football by playing Madden video games. He is 50 pounds of head, neck, torso and waist. ", In the months that follow, Mendez unplugs from football. This can cost you more than just money. Tolliver, Malachi i, e Easter, Noah ( So.) Eating breakfast. Scouts evaluate athletes as possible recruits. 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. "Great job, Coach. His presence should tell anyone, if you're paying attention, that your mind is the most powerful thing. He tumbles forward. "In a text message." A young boy holds open the door as Mendez approaches his favorite spot. Pick a play, execute for a few seconds, take a break, pick another play and repeat. By his senior year, he worked his way up to quarterbacks coach. I swear. When his players ask what happened, he tells them he got into a fight with the pavement. His head drops. Helped Blackman to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the third round of the Class 6A playoffs . "I'm not afraid to be myself," he tells me later. "I kept thinking, 'How can this guy possibly coach?'". Next year you'll be back in it, believe me." It gives me hope for the world. You hear stories about people with cancer, fighting for their lives. Watch Later. Mendez hopes to someday have the opportunity to coach varsity. "About damn time," McAvoy says with a grin. After 12 years of working, Prospect High School gave him that chance. Mendez shakes his head. ONE WEEK LATER, Prospect finishes its season 8-2 with a 19-13 victory over Yerba Buena. Eventually you will come across your passion and for me it was football and working with people. But after losing the season opener to Santa Clara, his Panthers won seven games in a row. Can you lift me out of my chair?". This time it's flawless. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. McAvoy has been Mendez's caretaker for the past six years. Rated as the No. It just makes me mad. The World Series is on television. "His mind is the greatest thing," Prospect JV Assistant Defensive Coordinator Todd Livingston said. I can work with people. He tells his offense he believes in them. The season begins in a month. "Yes!" 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. On warmer days, he can get bed sores from sitting in the same position too long. The last question is far more complicated. Along the way, Cable invited Mendez's two best players to move to varsity. Chicago, IL. But this time, he has no idea the belt around his waist isn't buckled. There's a lot on his mind. It's almost midnight. How do you move a fully grown adult with no arms and legs? It just makes me mad.". As the clock approaches 11 p.m., he looks at his empty glass and asks for another drink. Mendez shakes his head. "When an able-body person says that they can't do something, his greatest message is, 'who says I can't?' His comes with a straw. While he knows that day will be a life-changing experience, he remains humble. But Mendez doesn't care about that. He started as a manager on his Gilroy High School team as a freshman. It's only junior varsity. Doctors recommend surgery. Without his wheelchair working properly, he can't raise its height to sit next to me at the bar. How safe is your neighborhood? I swear I buckled him in. Taking a bath. Buddin is from Belleville, Michigan and was regarded as the 11th best player from the state during his senior year. "But I don't think about this the same way everybody else does. His head drops. Livingston told me Mendez's presence is living proof of what humans are capable of. It's the second day of the team's sleep-at-school preseason camp, and the coach is trying to install one of his favorite plays: the 37 stretch. It took him more than a half hour - sometimes two steps up, one step down -- but he did it. Congratulations to @ProspectXCTF Coach Pete Wintermute on his @ITCCCA XC Coach of the Year and the Track Coach of the Year!!! I couldn't tell you what it felt like to catch a ball in the flat, but I knew what it was and why it worked." "Let's get to the bottom of it. His torso pushes against his belt. IN HIS 30 years, Mendez can't recall a single dream in which he has had arms or legs. Is that you?" After a few minutes of conversation, he seemed like any other football coach having a beer on a Friday night. 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. With the help of adaptive technology, he went skiing. The players jog back to their positions. Encouraged the group to play for their teammates. "Anything in the world that is worth doing, he's done it with his mind," Bob says. For Rob, the message from his father was simple: Embrace your differences. Nobody but yourself can hold yourself back. 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. It is hard for college coaches to obtain rosters from high school coaches, and even harder to get them to hand over contact . "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. It's a move he makes countless times a day. He doesn't eat right. In his chair, he is constantly shifting, twisting and adjusting his posture. He towed his friends around the neighborhood on their skateboards. Bob hears the sound from a few feet away. he says. Coach seats are in a different section that prospect seats. If you watch one thing all weekend, it should be ESPNs incredible and inspiring profile of Rob Mendez, a high school football coach unlike any other. College Football Prospect ID events are the first premier event following the 2022 high school and college football seasons. I lean over, wrap my hands around him and lift him out of his chair. 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