en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 19 May 2013 05:22:11 GMT 15 By Sana Chughtai
He turned his dream into a reality. John Malecki, a 2006 Franklin Regional graduate, has made it to the big league: the NFL. But even he didn’t know he’d be able to make it happen until late in his college career. “For me, it [football] was always a backup plan to getting my degree and finishing my education,” Malecki said. “I knew after my senior year of college I had a chance to play in the NFL when agents started contacting me.” Malecki attended the University of Pittsburgh on a full athletic scholarship and graduated in 2010. That same year, he began his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans. Since then, Malecki has played for the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Although he now plays for the Washington Redskins, his experience with the Steelers, his hometown team, was an unforgettable one. “Most kids from around here sit around idolizing the men they see on the field on Sundays, and I was one of them,” Malecki said. “It was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.” Despite his current achievements, Malecki’s success began on the field back in high school. His senior year, in 2005, Franklin Regional’s football team brought it home from Hershey, winning the state championship. “Knowing the last time I put a helmet on with my bros from growing up and being able to say we won our last game at the highest peak we possibly could was amazing,” Malecki said. Winning isn’t everything though. Malecki is drawn to the sport by more than just the prospect of success. Football is a team sport. “It really does take all eleven players on the field to make a team function and being able to be a part of something like that has always been enjoyable for me,” Malecki said. He still keeps in touch with many of his high school teammates. Football was a big part of Malecki’s life in high school, not that it isn’t now, but there are other things Malecki misses about being at Franklin, like teachers. Some he had in class. “I enjoyed Mr. Berardinelli’s class. It was always entertaining,” Malecki said. And some he didn’t. “Even though I never had him as a teacher, I have to say Macioce was the top teacher I wish I would’ve had,” Malecki said. “He’s always been a huge supporter of my career on and off the field so I thank him for that.” Malecki will always remember his roots and how they helped him to accomplish his dreams. “I think every kid that puts on a football helmet dreams of playing in the NFL,” Malecki said. “There is nothing wrong with dreaming big and chasing those dreams.” ]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:37:30 GMT