Alfonso Mancilla | ESPN DigitalReading: 6 minutes
Mauricio Martinez overcame a serious injury early in the season to become another example of Monterrey Borregos captain’s leadership
immediately Mauricio Martinezdefender monterey sheepHaving to leave NRG Stadium, his main concern wasn’t the severity of the injury he had just sustained. He was troubled by the thought of how long he would be unable to help his colleagues and team.
It’s this kind of dedication that makes Martinez not only one of the best players at his position ONEFA Big 14 Conferencebut will be allowed to return to action this Friday, when monterey sheep access Borregos Campus Mexico City (CCM)in the duel corresponding to Week 4.
Three weeks after suffering a knee injury, many thought he would miss the season. Martinez He would go on to serve as a stronghold and defensive captain, which was just part of the story for a boy who left his home in the Mexican capital at age 17 to pursue his dream of success at one of the best college football programs.
If Mauricio is a good athlete and a good student monterey technical collegeprecisely because of the support of family and girlfriend, Sofia Arroyo, Also a high-level athlete, he will compete in the 200-meter butterfly at the Pan American Games to be held in Santiago, Chile, next October.
“I believe in hard work and resilience. What I have accomplished is due to the fact that I always put effort into everything I do in my daily life,” Martinez said in an interview ESPN Numbers.
A leader with a warm personality
“Mauricio has the gift of making everyone around him feel safe,” he said. Sofia Arroyoparticipated as a swimmer The 2015 Professional World Championships in Russia and the 2019 Universiade in Naples, Italy.
“When I go into certain games and I doubt my preparation, he (Mauricio) always keeps me focused and makes me feel like he trusts me more than myself,” added Arroyo, who also An outstanding student at Monterey Institute of Technology. “He does this to a lot of people, his team, his parents. It gives you a sense of calm, that Mauricio knows the right words for others. “He’s a natural leader. “
Martinez was injured in the second quarter of the Monterey Borregos’ Royals Classic against the Ortecos Tigers in the first week of the season at Texans Stadium in Houston.
A nasty blow to Mauricio’s knee seemed to bring him adversity, but it turned out to be personal motivation.
“When he arrived in Monterey, we went to see what the doctors told us. I saw that he was affected, but when they told him he didn’t need surgery, he just needed to recover, he started following their instructions exactly Just do it,” Sophia recalled.
Martinez aims to return as soon as possible. Get back on the field and help your teammates.
Prioritize the team.
“He became captain for many reasons: he bonded with his team, he invited everyone to give their best effort and he liked to set an example. Treated all colleagues with equal respect. Even newbies would come to him to talk about very personal things topic,” Arroyo added.
Sofia and Mauricio began their romantic relationship on April 1, 2020. Over time, they both shared a love for sports, and as a result, they looked out for and supported each other in their individual preparations.
“We don’t like to go to clubs or have a social life like other couples. We choose to do quiet things together, like going to a nice restaurant, eating ice cream. Going to the movies,” Sofia said.
From Gamos de Cuemanco to the world
Before entering American football, Mauricio practiced Taekwondo. The sport comes from his family tradition: his father, Humberto Martínez, practiced Greco-Roman wrestling and became a national team player. His brother Eduardo chose football.
“My family is my support, my family, my foundation, and I thank them for the training they have given me over the years. They are what keeps me motivated in a good channel of life,” Mauricio said.
His love of tackling was purely accidental: After watching the movie low impact, He asked his parents if he could play football.
They told him where to go to do this. Lives in southern Mexico City, cuemancogamos club This is a choice.
“The first game I played was in Gamos. It was already a young age. I was very nervous, it was a sport I didn’t know, but then I adapted and I’m happy,” Mauricio recalled.
His outstanding talent opened up the option for him to join monterey sheep When I was 17 years old. It’s time to leave your family environment and pursue your dreams.
“Separating myself from my family was a special challenge. Living alone since I was 17 was a bit complicated, but I gradually learned to cope and focused on academics and sports,” Mauricio added.
As a result, Martinez has a degree in Strategy and Business Transformation and is currently pursuing a Master of Innovation in Business Development.
The institution itself recognized his outstanding performance and awarded him in 2022 golden sheepAs the best student of his generation in sports.
Once his recovery is complete and he is ready to return to the court, Mauricio will once again rely on his family and Sofia as pillars of support in his efforts and will once again be the leader he has always been: someone who listens and sets an example for his teammates.
A captain who always puts the team first.