The Mexican-American guard of the Arizona Cardinals, Will Hernández, said this Saturday that having a boxing spirit helps to transcend in the NFL.
“Having the heart of a boxer helps in american football You are alone in the ring, with nothing around you, take hits and move on, you should never give up. When you bring that mentality and manage to pass it on to more players, a super team is made,” he told Efe.
Hérnández, who was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, has dual nationality due to his Mexican parents. He played soccer as a child, but due to his size and corpulence, today he measures 1,91 meters and weighs 151 kilograms, decided to change sports and chose boxing, which he practiced for a year.
Already in his college stage he was chosen to be part of the football team at the University of Texas El Paso.
The guard, who came to the NFL selected by the Giants in the second round of the Draft 2018, spoke of the impetus given to his career by his love of boxing and his admiration for Óscar de la Hoya, whose fights he watched on television. In addition, he and De la Hoya have Mexican parents.
“My idol was Óscar de la Hoya. I grew up watching him, listening to my dad talk about him, about his exploits, besides, he is also Mexican. I was inspired by the mentality he had”, he mentioned about the world champion boxer in six different divisions.
Will Hernández, from 26 years, signed by the Cardinals for the season 2022, team in which he is sure he will occupy the starting position at right guard.
“I am grateful to the Cardinals for the opportunity. I did not come to Arizona to see if I can, I came to help, to increase the value of the team, I want to reach a Super Bowl and this is the team to do it, so I do not intend to let this moment pass, “he said.
The contract with the Cardinals brought him a bonus that, although he was excited, he did not think he would see realized: playing a regular season game at the Azteca Stadium at the end of 2022 that the NFL has confirmed as part of the internationalization of the league.
“It is a dream come true to play in the Azteca, a historic stadium where they have played World Cups and NFL games. I thought it would not be possible, imagine the possibilities, how many teams in the NFL and Arizona called me, of course I did not think about it, “he added.
2022
The number 76 of the Cardinals also praised the built-in reinforcements in the NFL Draft with tight end Trey Mcbride on duty 55, defensive end Cameron Thomas in the 87 and linebacker Myjai Sanders in the 100.
“Trey is a strong guy who knows how to carry the ball and we will get a lot of help defensively with very strong guys like or is it Cam and Myjai ”, he analyzed.
Will Hernández took advantage of his participation in a soccer clinic that he gave to little ones in a sports center located in Polanco, west of the Mexican capital, to share the vision of his dreams.
“Not because you think you have a dream is going to come true. You have to work hard for him. Anyone can get to the NFL, it doesn’t matter if you’re Mexican or from somewhere else, but you have to fight with all your might for it and that’s the only way you’ll get it”, he pointed out.
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