Class 2013: Diego Nafarrate weathers storm to prove naysayers wrong

Today, CFC features class 2013 star middle linebacker from the Villanova Knights, Diego Nafarrate. Diego started playing football in grade eight.

Diego Nafarrate

Positions:
Linebacker (has played every position but primary spot is middle linebacker)

Height/Weight:
5’11, 195 lbs

Teams:
Villanova Knights (high school)
Newmarket Bucs (OVFL)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Open

Class:
2013

While attending St. Thomas of Villanova in middle school, Diego was fortunate to have the opportunity to play for the junior Knights. After his first season with the team, the star linebacker fell in love with the sport and wanted to improve as a player.

As a result, he joined the Newmarket Bucs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). Diego’s impact on the team was immediate as he was the team MVP in his first season.

After a successful rookie campaign, Diego made the decision to commit full time to football and quit playing hockey. In his grade nine year with the Knights, the linebacker was team defensive MVP.

In September 2010, what was supposed to be a great opportunity with the Knights turned out to be a life changing moment for Diego. As a grade 10 student, he was asked to move up to the senior team. While playing his first game with the Knights, the standout got injured and it prematurely ended his football season.

“My first game, which was my homecoming in fact, on the second play of the game I had a season ending injury to my ankle where I had three breaks in my ankle and required surgery to fix it,” explains Diego. “In my four month period of being unable to play and continue training, I felt like I wanted to quit football.”

The linebacker’s mother was hoping he would change sports. She couldn’t bear the thought of watching her son go through more agony, pain, and frustration that she witnessed during his rehabilitation period after the injury.

While his friends and family thought Diego would not be able to play football again, he was determined to prove everyone wrong.

“I saw this as an opportunity: I thought of this as an extended off season where I could get bigger stronger and faster,” says the Knights’ middle linebacker. “Once I was able to start training again, I knew I had a lot of work to do to get back my speed because I went from a body weight of 175 to 210.”

With the help of his coaches, Diego was able to play in his grade 11 year and was selected as one of four captains (only grade 11 player selected as captain).

“I played with a chip on my shoulder that season, like I had something to prove and I surpassed the expectations I had made for myself,” adds the Knights’ standout, who was recently selected to play for the GTA all-star team that will play in a game May 6th at McMaster University.

Even though he has faced adversity, the linebacker has enjoyed a special yet yearly football experience.

“Every year, our school goes down to the States to play a school under lights and the atmosphere of those games bring a feeling like no other,” comments Diego,who relies on his speed and quick thinking while playing in the linebacker position.

There have been many people that have helped Diego throughout his football career. His parents, two older brothers and the many coaches he’s had the opportunity to be instructed by have all been a key reason he’s been able to overcome and succeed in his quest to be a great football player.

“From my head coach driving me to camps in the States to my defensive co-coordinator waking up at six in the morning on weekdays in the summer to do dry land work with me,” adds the grade 11 player. “I’m truly blessed to have a coaching staff so willing to see their players succeed.”

Football has enriched Diego’s education. The game has taught him lessons which he applies to other aspects of life beyond the field.

“In football, as well as in life, nothing will work unless you do,” explains Diego. “I try to bring in the same mentally when I’m at football doing a drill that I have to do it to the best of my ability or else I get nothing out of it.”

“This is the same with grades; if I don’t have the grades all my hard work is meaningless so that mentality of giving it my best I try to bring forth in the classroom.”

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