Winning a D2 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium was something soon-to-be Catholic Memorial senior Mac Fitzgerald will never forget for obvious reasons.
Now, he’s got a chance to top that memory with one he’ll be creating this weekend down in New Orleans while the Eagles and Chiefs get ready to play for the Super Bowl.
That’s because Fitzgerald is representing both CM and the Patriots at an event called ‘Nike Next Ones,’ an elite invitational for some of the best high school football athletes in the country with each NFL team nominating a player. On Saturday, players will compete in skills challenges, experience what it’s like behind the scenes in the league, learn from NFL mentors and legends, participate in a private product customization event and participate in an 11-on-11 tournament to cap things off and showcase their skills.
Last year, two legends LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Vick were on hand. The program is part of Nike and the National Football League’s partnership, which was recently extended through 2038.
Kids will also be supplied with plenty of gear from Nike and perhaps most importantly, have the opportunity to interact with other top athletes their age around the country. Perhaps, even forming bonds with future teammates at various colleges one day.
“It’s an honor to be selected by the New England Patriots to represent them at this special event,” Fitzgerald said in a quick interview on Friday morning. “I’m looking forward to meeting other players from across the country.”
Fitzgerald was selected and notified by Brian Stumpf, who is the head of the Next Ones even. Fitzgerald said he received a phone call from Stumpf and was then informed the Patriots had chosen him.
“I am very grateful and it’s an honor to be selected for this event. I’m excited to join the other players and compete,” Fitzgerald added.
Of course, when you play for CM, that next season and the chase for another ring is always top of mind, basically from the time the team returned back home from Gillette in December. Fitzgerald and his teammates already have their eyes set on a return trip to the title game next season and have already been pushing each other with offseason workouts.
“We are working hard, preparing, and we’re excited for this next season,” Fitzgerald added. “We are just trying to push each other every day in our workouts and be great teammates to each other.”
The high school campaign doesn’t technically get started for another six months or so, but this weekend, the legendary CM red and white will be front and center down in the Bayou thanks to Fitzgerald, with players, scouts, coaches and legends from all over the football world watching closely.