On a not so quiet campus in Winona, Minnesota, three teenage boys from thousands of miles away are redefining what it means to play American Football, and to call it a new place home.
Mateus Mansur, a senior from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, Rodrigo Garcia Franyuti, a sophomore and Emilio Navarro, a freshman, both from Mexico City, are not just international students, they form part of the Cotter football team, and are living in proof that sports can shape characters, build personality and inspire transformation.
Mateus Mansur didn’t grow up dreaming about American Football, back home in Brazil his first love was soccer, and other fight sports like jujitsu, but when he arrived at Cotter he started feeling some curiosity to play American football.
“I saw football as a challenge. It was different, though, but I loved the energy and the team part of it,” Mateus said.
American football typically does not have many players born outside the US. In the NFL there are around 30-40 non U.S players that is only like 2-3% of the total players. So the path these new Cotter students were on is very unusual.
They all come from different backgrounds, but despite a lot of differences they live like brothers. They do all kinds of activities together in the dorm, like homework, eating and hanging out together. This connection makes their relationship on the football team that much stronger.
“We have each other’s backs. When one of us is down, the others step up, that’s what makes this special,” Rodrigo said. “I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience new things, that’s when I had my first contact with American football.”
Mansur is the one that motivates others like a good leader, he has natural leadership helping others to get better and that is what he do with Emilio that he is who motivate him to start with football
In contrast to Mansur fire, Rodrigo Garcia-Franyuti brings calm and focus, as a Cotter starting wide receiver. He is an extremely disciplined athlete and person, and he brings that to his daily football work.
“I’m serious about structure. Whether it’s studying plays of lifting we need to follow the routine, motivation is temporary but discipline stays ever,” Rodrigo said.
Rodrigo encountered language issues with his American teammates and that made it so much harder because in football communication is a key piece, he worked so hard on that all day, and now his spoken English and understanding are excellent, which also helped him make friends with his teammates.
Emilio Navarro didn’t expect to love football as much he does now, coming from a soccer and tennis background he joined Cotter’s team unsure of where he fit in.
“I was nervous at first. Football looked complicated and I wasn’t sure I had what it takes. I owe much to Mateus because he is the one who believed in me, and he always keep pushing me to be better,” Emilio said.
Off the field these three continue to prepare for classes, long practices and dorm life. The journey at Cotter isn’t just about touchdowns it’s about growth. Mateus has learned to lead, Rodrigo has mastered discipline and Emilio has found his confidence.
“I’ve changed so much” said Emilio “Football and my friends gave me strength I didn’t know I had”.
These three student athletes are examples to follow because they are afforded this big challenge also coming from other countries, background, and language issues.
“In this experience I learned that all discipline and work are essential but the support of a good team and friends is the thing that make the difference. I’m so happy to be part of this, and I’m so thankful for all those that help me to become better,” Rodrigo said.
When they head back to their home countries, Mansur to Brazil and Rodrigo and Emilio to Mexico, they will be proud of theirexperience with the team. “This isn’t just a team” Mansur said “It’s a family. And I’m proud to be part of it”.
“These experiences are a game changer, this help me to become better, stronger, more friendly and kind but mainly these help me a lot with my self-confidence and be sure of the things that I owe and I want,” Emilio said.
Through taking a chance on American football these three students found discipline, growth, and friendship.
