Many Westporters love the New England Patriots.
Many others hate them.
But whatever you think about the 6-time Super Bowl champions, everyone here can cheer for one player: Jake Rizy.
The 2020 Staples High School graduate — a former Wrecker captain, and longtime Pats fan — just signed a contract with the team.
He’s the first Stapleite to sign with an NFL squad since 2000. Sean Mulcahy played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers, while Dave Kashetta joined the Washington Redskins (now Commanders).
Rizy heads to Foxboro on May 7, for a rookie camp.
Nothing is guaranteed. There’s a long road from here to August.
But after overcoming 2 knee injuries, a COVID year and other adversity, Rizy is ready for anything.
His road to the pros began in 8th grade. Friends convinced him to play Westport PAL football. Quickly, he was hooked.
In 9th grade, he already weighed 185 pounds. An offensive lineman, he worked his way up from the freshman and junior varsity teams, to 2 years on varsity.
The football program was in flux — Rizy had 3 head coaches in 3 years — but he was proud to be part of what proved to be Adam Behrends’ turnaround. Rizy helped lay the foundation for a state championship, 4 years later.
Jake Rizy at Staples …
“It was awesome to play football at Staples, ” Rizy — who earned All-FCIAC honors, and also captained the wrestling team as a heavyweight — says.
“I made a lot of friends. It was my life.”
Last weekend, he returned the favor. He spoke to the current squad, and liked what he saw.
“Coach Matty (Jacowleff) has them fired up. He’s got a lot of energy, just like my college coaches.”
After graduation, Rizy headed to Harvard University. But COVID canceled the Ivy League football season.
He was mainly a backup his sophomore year. He then saw action in all 10 games as a junior, and was named to the All-Ivy 2nd team.
He capped an outstanding senior season with 1st team All-Ivy honors.
… and Harvard …
Because of COVID, the NCAA granted athletes another year of eligibility — beyond the 5 years already allowed.
But Harvard permits only 4 years. So after graduating with a dual major in economics and psychology, Rizy looked for a new school.
Harvard’s coaches helped. The offensive coordinator had a connection at Florida State University. Two years ago, Rizy headed to Tallahassee.
He had a bumpy start. He began playing center behind a 6th-year starter, then moved to guard. The Seminoles had a difficult year, but he was named FSU’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
… and FSU.
The next spring, Rizy hurt his knee. (He’d injured the other one in high school.) Thanks to great trainers and weight room staff, he finished strongly that fall. He played all 12 games, at all 5 o-line positions.
He earned his second bachelor’s degree, this one in interdisciplinary social sciences.
But Rizy was not ready for a 9-to-5 job.
His FSU strength coach recommended training at the TEST Football Academy in New Jersey. They prepare prospects for the NFL Combine and Pro Days. (The Combine is a centralized event; Pro Days are individualized, campus-based workouts.)
At the FSU Pro Day on March 27, Rizy’s speed times — particularly for his 6-5, 310-pound size — were very good. Teams were encouraged to watch his game films.
The Patriots were not one of the first teams to show interest. But Rizy’s agent worked with them.
Almost immediately after the NFL draft ended Rizy signed a contract, as an Undrafted Free Agent.
Jake Rizy, ready for whatever comes next.
The upcoming rookie mini-camp is his first chance to show he can make the 53-man fall roster.
“I’m lucky to have had great coaching all the way throughout,” Rizy says. “Everyone has helped so much.
“I’m lucky to be where I am. I had injuries, but they didn’t stop me. I’m still here.
“Football is my life,” he reiterates. “I didn’t have an identify before it. It got me into Harvard and Florida State. Now it’s my job to work my butt off.”
He’s spent the past couple of weeks in Zoom meetings, and working out with Renick Jeune, the Stamford trainer he’s had since 9th grade. (Like Rizy and his parents, Jeune is a Pats fan.)
Rizy was a Staples freshman the first year Matty Jacowleff joined the Staples football staff.
Jacowleff — now the head coach — says, “We are incredibly proud of Jake and this remarkable achievement in his dream of playing in the NFL.
“What says even more about his character is that one of his first calls after being signed was to ask how he could give back to Staples football.
“For our kids in Westport, seeing someone commit to hard work, achieve at the highest level, and then come back to support the program has a lasting impact on our amazing community, and our football program.”
Soon, Jacowleff — like the rest of Westport — can root rabidly for the Patriots. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)
(“06880” reports often on Staples, sports, and the achievements of our young people. If you enjoy our coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
