Speaking
of Sports 

by
Bernie Fratto

 
The Super Bowl
from A to Z

February 14, 2011

Aaron Rodgers was the MVP, but Frank Zombo played a major role as well.

As Yogi Berra might say; “They have different similarities!”

Super Bowl XLV might feel like a distant memory, but to Aaron Rodgers (who I just saw at N9NE Steakhouse here at the Palms/Las Vegas), and Frank Zombo, it will last in their hearts forever.

The victory over the Steelers was significant, but the journey that took them to that opportunity, was symbolic.

Rodgers was an unheralded HS quarterback in Northern California, and had ZERO scholarship offers coming out of high school. They said he was too small, among other things. So he enrolled in Community College, and did well enough to earn the chance to play for the University of California, even though he toiled as a backup before getting his chance to become the starter.

He was passed over by many NFL teams, before the Green Bay Packers took a flyer, and he proceeded to toil in obscurity behind some guy named…Brett Favre.

Meanwhile, Frank Zombo, after a solid HS football career in Sterling Hts, Michigan, also had no offers to play college football. His coach pleaded with the staff at Central Michigan, and Zombo headed to Mt. Pleasant…with no guarantees.

But when Frank Zombo sacked Ben Roethlisberger late in the 3rd quarter to kill a Pittsburgh drive, it was a key play as it gave t he ball back to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, and they proceeded to drive down the field for more points.

From Aaron to Zombo, it once again proved that from A to Z, there are countless stories that exemplify the principle that every successful person knows. If you want it bad enough, you’ll get where you want to go.

In this case it was Disneyworld for Rodgers, and it will be the White House for Zombo and the rest of his teammates, for a well-deserved celebration.

Don’t be surprised if you see Aaron and Zombo in the Super Bowl again. For the record, Zombo also had 5 solo tackles as well.

Not bad for an undrafted free agent that wasn’t even offered a scholarship out of High School.

This week marks another for many High School athletes in Novi as they continue on with their respective seasons. Might one of you, be the next Frank Zombo?

It could certainly happen, if you want it bad enough…

(c) 2011 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org

This column is shared by Alex Prasad, Lance J. Lilla and Bernie Fratto on alternating weeks.