Héctor Zepeda will once again be in the International Player Pathway camp and look for a place towards the NFL
On many occasions, opportunities in life come only once, but to the offensive lineman Hector Zepeda life has smiled on him and for the second time he is facing the possibility of fulfilling the dream of reaching the NFL through the program International Player Pathway, which he takes with moderation, without surprises and aware that there is no guarantee of a place, which he will only get based on good performance and a bit of drawing on previous experience.
Last year, the player from wild sheep of Tecnologico de Monterrey He was considered to be in the program, something that did not even cross his mind that he would do when he began his adventure in the sport. They were weeks of exhausting work, but he did not stay with one of the available places to reach the NFL.
When he was studying high school, what was relevant to him, in addition to his studies, was playing with his friends, having a good time, but he never imagined that he would start his performance in this sport by chance.
“I started with ‘borrego’ as they say, my high school physical education teacher was the head coach of the school. Everyone played except me, they invited me and because they were my friends and being in the chatter I got into playing, what started as fun turned into a passion,” he said. Hector Zepeda in an exclusive interview with ESPN.
At the preparatory level, he continued with his activity because he had already taken a liking to American football and his continuity paid off because over time the doors were opened for him to reach the Wild sheep.
All this was possible thanks to the support of his loved ones at all times. “My family has always been in my corner”, proof of this is that up to now every game he plays they travel with him to accompany him and witness his performance on the gridiron.
The latter is gladly perceived by the members of the wild sheep. “We see that his parents are here every weekend supporting him; Every time we travel they also travel to see him play. We see how close he is to his family, ”says the coach Carlos Altamirano.
This support has been a pillar for Hector Zepeda had a good sporting career, but without leaving aside the academic aspect: he is currently studying a master’s degree in the same Tecnologico de Monterrey, but with his sights set on achieving the dream of one day being in the NFL.
The first time he attended the program International Player Pathway the emotion was on the surface, but evidently it was reaching the unknown; to an experience that for many is unattainable and fought for a site that finally did not achieve, although he was left with a good experience and had a performance for which he later received positive comments.
Now, life has smiled on him and he once again has the call to participate for the second time in the program to fight to be in American football USAwhich from his point of view was due to the work he did in the previous edition.
“I think it is due to the role I played last year, I was very close to the four that they assign to a team. I think I did a good job and from the feedback they have given me I did a good job last year, so as to know that they could invite me again to continue being a candidate. I think the role I played last year is what largely opened the doors for me this year, apart from all the work that has been done as a result of last year’s program,” he explained. Hector Zepeda.
The news took him somewhat by surprise. When they invited him to participate in a video call, he only thought it would be informative, but the story was different, they told him that he would participate in the program again.
Faced with this new opportunity, Hector Zepeda he simply shows restraint, is cautious and knows that having previous experience in the International Player Pathway It is not a guarantee that this time you will be able to keep one of the four available places for a player to reach the NFL.
“I don’t think it’s an advantage. Each year the program is different, each year the participants change, the dynamics, the activities change, everything and it is not the same. So by repeating I don’t mean that I’m going to be part of a team, last year some repeated and some of them didn’t remain, so it’s not an advantage”.
“In the days that the camp lasts, we are going to separate from each other, but I do not consider it an advantage to repeat, what I can take are the experiences that I lived and what I learned,” he said.
Hector Zepeda denotes tranquility at all times, although he is aware that after a tiring season in the ONEFAin which he was crowned with the sheep by beating in the final to real tigers, You have to start your arduous preparation to arrive in good condition for the new opportunity.
He had to wait a year for this new option to be presented and, as he perceives it, he will physically arrive in similar conditions, for which he shows confidence that once again he will fight to stay with a place.
“I think that there are going to be two keys within the program: one is going to be taking advantage of the opportunities that are given to me to demonstrate and another will be the day to day, the fine details, the little things that, on a more professional level, affect everything. , what you do and what you don’t do as well”.
“So in everyday life, gradually gaining in the right decisions, in taking care of myself, health and everything, that will be key as when it comes to demonstrating; We have to show why we are there and why we want to reach a team in the NFLadded the offensive lineman.
Hector Zepeda he knows that this new opportunity could change his life, but at all times he is aware and gives the appropriate dimension to the situation, in which he knows he can have both sides of the coin, although he uses everything to try to make a difference. good paper. She has even asked for the opinion of Mexicans who have already been to the NFL as Rolando Cantu and even from his former teammates in the wild sheep like Isaac Alarcón, who had the opportunity to be with the Dallas Cowboyswho have advised you to enjoy the moment and avoid pressure.
Zepeda He seeks to take this to the letter and show his performance and leadership that has always characterized him on the gridiron, as well as in practices with the Monterrey team.
“For my taste he is a born leader, he has been a leader since he came to the team, he has always seen people who are a little younger as his equals and for me he is an example to follow, he has always been a physically and mentally strong person “, said Pedro Garciaoffensive lineman sheep and friend of Hector.
Even off the gridiron both enjoy pleasant moments, roast meats with friends and at all times maintains that line of leadership and unconditional support for his teammates, just as he does on the pitch.
“In a match against ChihuahuaIt was my first year, there was a situation with another player, I was 18 years old and I began to make words; he was scared because he was gaining on me in age, experience, size and he came out to defend me and teach me what it is like to live in the Major League ”, he added Pedro Garcia.
Now, Hector Zepeda He only dreams of living day to day, playing a good role, but with the confidence that in the future more Mexicans will be considered for that program, because from his point of view in this country there is talent in American football, but at his There is a lack of support from the institutions so that there is greater growth.
“I think there is a lack of support from the institutions, generally speaking in the country. American football is an expensive sport, I think that trying to close that gap between the American football of USA and we, close that window of the support that they offer there and those that offer here to close that advantage. Looking from the outside, I was never in a program at the University of USAbut looking from the outside yes, with the budgets that are allocated and what American football generates in USA It’s a big business, but there are certain things that we can copy, that help develop the athletes here from MexicoBecause we do have good football, there is a good level”.
“Issues such as nutrition, rehabilitation, training of coaches and players can be improved, I think that this window can be closed and it would favor national American football. But it is not critical because it has been growing, the unification of the Leagues two years ago I think it has brought positive results and to the fans and the players themselves motivate them more to want to continue playing”, he asserted Zepeda.
Thus, the offensive lineman is faced with a new opportunity, but he takes it cautiously, without throwing bells and whistles, aware that he must use his previous experience and show dedication to achieve the dream of reaching the NFLsomething that in its improvised beginnings it never thought of, but that in recent years it has seen closer to being contemplated to be in the International Player Pathway.
