This picture represents who I am, where I come from, and everything it took to get here. ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐บ๐ธ๐๐ฎ
Iโm from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Iโm standing here in my football uniform next to a trompo, and that means something to me.
The trompo represents where I come from.
The uniform represents where Iโm going.
And Torta Power represents both.
To compete and develop, my family and I have had to make sacrifices. Long drives, border crossings, early mornings, late nights and sometimes 3, 5, even 8 hours on the road just for football.
And that sacrifice has given me opportunities Iโll never take for granted.
Today Iโm a sophomore varsity starter at Orange Lutheran, competing in the Trinity League. Iโm 6โ2โ, 295 lbs, currently starting at right tackle and able to move around the offensive line.
Yeah, I knowโฆ 6โ2โ at tackle. ๐
Small pero picoso. ๐ถ๏ธ
I may not be the tallest tackle, but I take pride in being strong, physical and versatile. Put me where the team needs me and Iโm going to compete.
When I was younger, I was the big Mexican kid. El gordito. Instead of being embarrassed about my size, football taught me how to turn it into a strength.
That became part of Torta Power. ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฝ
Now Iโm starting to see more Mexican and Latino kids playing American football. More families making those same drives. More kids crossing borders to compete. More gorditos discovering the offensive line and realizing:
โHeyโฆ maybe this game has a place for me too.โ
I want kids in Ensenada, Tijuana, Mexicali and all across Mexico and Latin America to see whatโs possible.
Dream about playing in the U.S.
Dream about getting a great education.
Dream about earning that D1 opportunity.
I didnโt leave my culture behind to chase my dream.
I BROUGHT IT WITH ME. ๐ฒ๐ฝ
Thatโs what this picture represents.
From the trompo to the trenches. ๐ฎโก๏ธ๐
From Ensenada to the Trinity League.
And hopefully, this is only the beginning.
PURO TORTA POWER. ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐บ๐ธ
#TortaPower #OLine #FootballRecruiting #ClassOf2029 #MexicoFootball #LatinosInFootball
@ConnorHapper@mikejschaefer we always worry about if Nebraska still relevant this is at my son's Elementary flag football game in Southern California last night this is his coach walking to the field and he has no ties to the university or the state.
@ConnorHapper@mikelsevere I have an opinion going into the store shopping for yourself and not taking any bags and putting your items back in your cart is the only way to go. You don't have the mess of any bags in your house and the chances when you're traveling having to pay
@TimVerghese So tim with this news what dose it mean for Jailen and what dose Nebraska do now? Will Nebraska keep moving forward with him in the picture?