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Roberto Garza: “I never imagined that I would play 14 years in the NFL”

robert garza (United States, 43 years old) accomplished the difficult task of becoming a historical player without occupying a very shiny position in the NFL. He offensive lineof Mexican parents, passed 14 seasons in the NFL protecting the quarterbacks of the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent four years, and the Chicago Bears, a team of which he is a legend after 10 seasons with them. with a baggage of 212 games in the elite of American football, including the 2006 Super Bowl, Garza caters to AS during the Mini Monsters Clinic organized by the Bears in Rivas to review his brilliant career and current affairs in the league.

How are you living these days in Spain?

I am very happy to have the opportunity to visit this country for the first time. The food is awesome. Here is a great initiative to grow American football, which already has a history. We want to further promote the Chicago Bears name. In Europe several games are played every year and hopefully it will continue to grow. Our motivation is to teach American football a little and, above all, for the children to have fun and learn that exercise and leading a healthy life is the most important thing.

Why do the Bears choose Spain?

There is a great fan base here and they want to promote American football, to grow the support for the Bears among the children. With these Mini Monsters what we want is for them to learn the technique of this sport and have fun.

How do you see the Bears today?

I would have liked to play with Justin Fields (series). I think they have the right pieces and at quarterback, which is the most important, they have a franchise player. They are missing pieces in receivers, offensive line and a defense that can help win games. There are several players missing. But I think Ryan Poles (Chicago’s general manager) has the recipe for great things. This season was very difficult, but we saw great growth from Justin Fields and that gives confidence that he is the quarterback of the future.

Garza, during the Mini Monsters Clinic.PEPE ANDRESDiarioAS

When you think back on your career, what are the first moments that come to mind?

The first game I played in the NFL. I walked onto the field and I was like ‘wow, I’m going to play the Pittsburgh Steelers.’ I remembered all the games I watched from them as a child, all the games I played as a child. I will always remember that moment. Then they gave me a blow that woke me up in a second. I also remember the Super Bowl we played in 2006. We qualified by beating the Saints in Chicago in a game with a lot of snow. Since we lost the Super Bowl, I prefer to stay with that other game. The final was a great experience, we were very close to being champions but it was not possible. Being able to play that game is something unforgettable, it’s what you dream of since you were a child.

Was it more difficult to come to the NFL from a second division university or stay 14 seasons in the elite?

Both. Very few people make it to the NFL, in the end it doesn’t matter where you come from if you have the ability. At first you want to get there and, once you have achieved it, you look for a way to stay as long as possible. That is through studying the game, training, taking care of your body… And your game, of course. I remember that, at the age of 29, your body changes and it was more difficult to recover. But you have to learn how to prepare week after week. I never imagined that I could play for 14 years. At first it was worth it with one season, then I wanted three, then five… And I got to 14, something I didn’t expect.

And how is your body after 14 years in the NFL?

I’ve always loved the gym, so I try to stay lean and strong. When I don’t train is when I feel the blows from the past the most. So I’m looking to keep moving so I can live a good life.

What is it like to play in the NFL from the inside?

The way I explain it is that you feel like you’ve had a crash forever. Your whole body hurts after a match and you have to train again. We prepare all year for it. After playing on Sunday, we would meet on Monday to study the video and analyze the errors. On Tuesday we rested, and Wednesday and Thursday are long days of training and a lot of studying. We used to travel on Saturday, and on Sunday we would get up, eat and go to the game. And so repeating the routine 17 weeks. After a few years you already know what to expect, as a rookie it costs more to know how to prepare.

In Chicago he protected 10 different quarterbacks. Was instability in that position difficult for you?

Sure, even after my retirement there have been many changes as well. The ideal is to improve year after year with the same quarterback, as legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have done… They perfect the plays over time and achieve the right chemistry. They all have speed, they all have power, so the key is the way the plays are executed. Those teams that have few changes are the ones that end up winning a lot. We had to start over each season. Hopefully with Justin Fields the Bears find stability and can win more than five or six games a year.

Who is the player who gave you the most problems as a player and who attracts your attention today?

When I was in Atlanta, I had to face Warren Sapp, John Randle, Brian Young, La’Roi Glover… They are players you couldn’t sleep with the night before knowing what was coming. I had a lot of respect for them. At present, obviously the one I pay attention to the most is Aaron Donald. He has athletic explosiveness, great size and strength, incredible technique. The players who combine strength and technique are the ones who will give you the most war.

Broken in Mexico this yearseveral Hispanic players… How do you see this community in the league?

Continues to grow. As long as there are Latino players, it will continue to develop. The fans in Mexico have decades of tradition and grow year after year. In the following season there will be no game due to renovations at the Azteca, but the NFL always says that Mexico is one of the countries in which it most wants to develop. I hope to continue on that trajectory. And hopefully see NFL in Spain soon too. There is nothing like watching a game live: the players, the emotion… Let’s hope it can be fulfilled.

Se just pulled out tom bradyan emblem of the NFL.

His career is impressive, the best in all of history. Seven championships is crazy, he has more than any franchise. Above all, what will remain of him is the way he did it: with that preparation, that way of taking care of his body, so much training. He has been able to play at the highest level for many, many years. We all try, but only he has succeeded. Let’s hope this is the last withdrawal from him… (series) It is very difficult to continue playing at his age because the body has changed a lot, but if anyone can do it, it is him.

Do you dare with a forecast for the Super Bowl?

I think it will be a very even match. Both teams have very athletic quarterbacks who use their legs very well. The interesting thing is going to be how Mahomes’ ankle will be. He was not seen 100%, but he did not lose the game even with that. He’s having two weeks to prepare and rest, and he’ll be ready to play one of the biggest games of his career. The Eagles have an impressive Jalen Hurts, a very strong defense, a great offensive line… They are both very complete teams. Since I played my entire NFC career, I’m sticking with the Eagles to win.

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