This life it just isn't always easy. Doctors recommend surgery. Keep your heads up. Nor did he and Josie have any idea how to take care of this baby. He has scoliosis, which makes his spine look far more like an "S" than the "I." 2021: Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 5 first-team all-state selection at defensive end as a junior. 3 quarterback, and No. A very small percentage. The season begins in a month. "This was confirmation that you know what, I'm doing OK," he says. "Rob? It's almost midnight. We make it to his home. "Bugs the s--- out of me," he says. How does he go to the bathroom? I mention that it seems as if anything that reminds him of his physical challenges bugs him. Prior to arriving at Prospect, Martindale was at Wheeling High School for 14 years. The throw is too long, and the ball harmlessly caroms out of bounds. It's a move he makes countless times a day. As they head inside, Mendez looks back at me over McAvoy's shoulder. One thing the boy clearly didn't lack: confidence. "About damn time," McAvoy says with a grin. "The Super Bowl of JV football," he says. For Rob, the message from his father was simple: Embrace your differences. More SC Featured I was a little nervous about it," Cable says. "I'm sitting right there at the bar next to you. It's an accomplishment to the public because I have no arms and legs, but the reality is I'm not accomplished. He can barely open his mouth. Along the way, Cable invited Mendez's two best players to move to varsity. I stuff a pad between him and the chair back -- paranoid he could fall. "I wish more people were like that. Mendez looks up as the quarterback's pass sails overhead. Rob's father saw potential in the happy, spunky baby, but also wrestled with his own emotions, admitting he often asked God "why?" 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.". Prospect High School. You guys fought your butts off. "That's how humans are -- they adapt. Pratima Sherpa's Dream Next year you'll be back in it, believe me. Mt. Mendez picks a spot at the bar next to two women. He knows what he has given his team. he says. The day-to-day blanks are easy for him to fill in. Finally, after 13 years, he was able to get a job at Prospect High School in California as their high school football coach. "Think about it. he yells. He can be stubborn. 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. They have to buy the fake. I know I'm good for the kids. Earlier in the day, Mendez flew home from Las Vegas, a 48-hour escape before the insanity of the season begins. We end up talking for nearly three hours. Rob is no different." 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. "Yes, Coach," the quarterback says. "I guess you saw a little bit of the other side tonight. "In a text message." His father has long wished that Rob would wear an upper belt as well as the one that wraps around his waist. I know I'm good for the kids. How does he sleep? Minorities make up 73 percent of the student body. Rob's father saw potential in the happy, spunky baby, but also wrestled with his own emotions, admitting he often asked God "why?" I'm lazy. "How in the world am I supposed to handle that?" You guys fought your butts off. "And the muscles in your neck are not supposed to be used that often. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated currently ranks Manning as the No. THE COLLEGE COACHES AT THE COLLEGE COACHES SHOWCASE CAMP ARE ON THE FIELD ALL DAY You hear stories about people with cancer, fighting for their lives. Prospect High School, or Prospect, is a public four-year high school in Mount Prospect, Illinois, . 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. When the final buzzer sounds, the players and coaches line up at the 50 to shake hands. It doesn't lead to a good place. 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. "I'm sorry," he says. Melissa Feucht English Department Chair. I panic. "They would whisper," he says. More award-winning storytelling from SC Featured, One dog's remarkable journey to find a home, "Screw that," he says. Prospect Reels produces high quality sports highlight videos so you can market your athletic skills to college coaches, recruiters, and others who can help you get recruited. When Mendez first took over the coaching job, many kids on the team were surprised to see a man with his condition coaching them. This is the opportunity he has waited 12 years for, the one he long felt he deserved but worried would never come. "I just think that me showing people that I can accomplish my goals, which actually still is not really completely fulfilled yet. On convenience alone, it would have been the perfect place for him to coach forever. Push the limits. It feels as if everyone is staring. By Tuesday afternoon, he's back at Prospect for practice, apologizing to his players for Monday's absence. "Oh whatever," Mendez answers. ", "Yes, Coach," the quarterback says. "But we really have to sell that we are going that way. Fore was named to the Hudl Top 100 in 2017, and the Top 5 Best High School Football Coaches to follow on Twitter by MaxPreps in 2016. Doctors prepared her and her husband for the worst. Eighteen players from each playoff class were named to the team. It's a testament to his ability to be comfortable in any surrounding and put strangers at ease. Otherwise there's the potential he'll need to use the bathroom without McAvoy there to help him. As we head back to Gilroy, I ask Mendez if he's aware of the impact he has already had on Prospect players and coaches like assistant Todd Livingston. If I'm sitting there and don't smile or say hello, I just feel like that's rude.". "Said they wanted to move on without me," Mendez says. H.S. What do you want out of this year? "I appreciate you," Mendez says. And ended each practice with the same message: I love you guys. There's the answer he feels as if he should deliver. 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. They are teachers who coach on the side. Confirmation/Rejection emails will be sent out by 1:00 PM Thursday letting you know if you are awarded tickets. They just want to move, explore and live. After his speech, Mendez asks for a ride home. The other kids are special, too. You hear stories about people with cancer, fighting for their lives. 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 stuff a pad between him and the chair back -- paranoid he could fall. I don't focus on it. And different is not bad. This is why WVU has already extended an offer to the Pickerington Central High School product from Ohio. "Yes!" This ensures that the coaches can spend quality time with all players attending and are not overwhelmed with large camp numbers. "If I can go out there and power through four or five hours, then I'm OK." I've always wanted to be a head coach.". Prospect High School Football team golf tournament and smoked BBQ fundraiser! "It didn't take long for me to figure out that alcohol is not the answer.". 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.". Mendez orders a water. When his friends went out for football his freshman year of high school, Rob became the team manager. Is that you?" Shaving. Because he weighs 50 pounds, alcohol affects him faster than people who weigh much more. Coach seats are in a different section that prospect seats. In fact, he will be honored at the 2019 ESPY Awards as the Jimmy V perseverance Award recipient and was on the cover of ESPN Magazine's heroes edition. (2007-10), and Wake Forest Demon Decons (2010-14); currently an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies. "It first actually came from a friend challenging me at an 8th grade dance," Mendez said. He says they need him, but you know what? Tears begin to fall. "I know that's there," he says. The players jog back to their positions. He's had people who hear his story and then approach him in tears. "There you go!" He has lived his entire life without arms and legs. I love it. Going to the bathroom. 1 poison," he says. And there's the reality of what he feels, but rarely reveals. Preston Gannaway for ESPN But he wonders whether the players have any idea what they've given him. Coaches from Southwestern University and Nicholls State University will lead this showcase and will be joined by other college coaches from various programs. I pick up a fork, stab it into the roll, drag it through a puddle of soy sauce and put it in his mouth. And swimming. The left side of his face slams into the concrete floor of the garage. Helped North Kansas City to a . Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. I just want to prove them wrong." I ask whether that thought bothers him. When dealing with clubs, coaches are easily accessible and are in the business of helping players get into a college program. With the pen, Mendez draws the X's and O's of what the play is supposed to look like and why. It happened at the end of his senior prom, when he tipped over the wheelchair ramp as he and his classmates were leaving. Prospect High School JV Football Coach Rob Mendez was born with a rare disorder that left him with no arms or legs. But those who stayed learned about their new coach. He runs Eight Laces Consulting where he specializes in helping coaches nationwide in their job search process. But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. His comes with a straw. 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