Connecticut Football Player Makes History at east-West Shrine Bowl
A Connecticut native is making waves in the world of college football after becoming the first Division III player invited to participate in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl.
Thomas Perry, a senior at Middlebury College, showcased his talent on a national stage last week, competing against some of the top Division I prospects in the country. The annual game serves as a showcase for NFL scouts and coaches, providing players with a platform to demonstrate their skills and potentially earn a shot at the professional level.
Perry’s extraordinary performance at the Shrine Bowl caught the attention of NFL talent evaluators.He excelled in an unfamiliar position, playing center and contributing to a touchdown run while even catching a pass on a trick play during a two-point conversion attempt.
NFL Network took notice, highlighting Perry on their social media platform and tagging scouts in the comments to draw their attention. despite the national spotlight, Perry remains humble, attributing his success to the support of numerous coaches and mentors throughout his journey.
Perry’s accomplishment has resonated deeply at his alma mater, Haddam Killingworth High School, inspiring current students and athletes.
A Source of Inspiration
perry’s achievement is especially meaningful for Haddam Killingworth High School, a small school that doesn’t typically produce NFL-caliber talent. His dedication and hard work have served as a powerful example for current students, demonstrating that anything is possible with determination and effort.
“It’s cool seeing someone from our school play at such a high level,” said Hunter Lesle, a senior at Haddam Killingworth. “It shows that it’s all about hard work.You can go anywhere provided that you work hard.”
Perry’s former coaches echo this sentiment, praising his unwavering work ethic and academic excellence. “Thomas did the right things,” said Tyler Wilcox, Haddam Killingworth’s head football coach. “He did the hard work. He got those academics down.”
From Connecticut to Texas
Perry’s football journey began in Connecticut, where he honed his skills under the guidance of dedicated coaches, including Barth Keck, who taught him both on the field and in the classroom.
“you just tell him what to do and he would do it,” Keck recalled. “You’d tell him once and then he’d do it the rest of the season. That’s just who he was.”
Perry carried that same commitment to middlebury college, where he continued to excel academically and athletically. His invitation to the Shrine Bowl was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
Despite his success, perry remains grounded, focused on achieving his goals while enjoying the journey. “work hard, and push yourself,” he said.”It’s fun to get to work hard and go to the weight room and enjoy pushing yourself.”
Eyes on the Future
Perry is currently training in Texas, hoping to earn a coveted invitation to the NFL Combine or a pro day. He plans to return to Middlebury College to complete his degree in molecular biology and biochemistry with a minor in mathematics before making a final decision about his future.
“Every possibility I get, I will do the most I can and take advantage of it,” Perry asserted.
Who is Thomas Perry and why is he making history at the East-West Shrine Bowl?
Connecticut Football Player Makes History at East-West Shrine Bowl
A Connecticut native is making waves in the world of college football after becoming the first Division III player invited to participate in the prestigious East-West shrine Bowl.
Thomas Perry, a senior at Middlebury College, showcased his talent on a national stage last week, competing against some of the top Division I prospects in the country. The annual game serves as a showcase for NFL scouts and coaches, providing players with a platform to demonstrate their skills and potentially earn a shot at the professional level.
Perry’s remarkable performance at the Shrine Bowl caught the attention of NFL talent evaluators.He excelled in an unfamiliar position, playing center and contributing to a touchdown run while even catching a pass on a trick play during a two-point conversion attempt.
NFL Network took notice, highlighting Perry on their social media platform and tagging scouts in the comments to draw their attention. despite the national spotlight, Perry remains humble, attributing his success to the support of numerous coaches and mentors throughout his journey.
Perry’s accomplishment has resonated deeply at his alma mater, Haddam Killingworth high School, inspiring current students and athletes.
A Source of Inspiration
perry’s achievement is especially meaningful for Haddam Killingworth High School,a small school that doesn’t typically produce NFL-caliber talent. His dedication and hard work have served as a powerful example for current students, demonstrating that anything is possible with determination and effort.
“It’s cool seeing someone from our school play at such a high level,” said Hunter Lesle, a senior at Haddam killingworth. “It shows that it’s all about hard work.You can go anywhere provided that you work hard.”
Perry’s former coaches echo this sentiment, praising his unwavering work ethic and academic excellence.”Thomas did the right things,” said Tyler Wilcox,Haddam Killingworth’s head football coach. “He did the hard work. He got those academics down.”
From Connecticut to Texas
Perry’s football journey began in Connecticut, where he honed his skills under the guidance of dedicated coaches, including Barth Keck, who taught him both on the field and in the classroom.
“you just tell him what to do and he would do it,” keck recalled. “you’d tell him once and then he’d do it the rest of the season. That’s just who he was.”
Perry carried that same commitment to middlebury college, where he continued to excel academically and athletically. His invitation to the Shrine Bowl was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
Despite his success, perry remains grounded, focused on achieving his goals while enjoying the journey. “work hard, and push yourself,” he said.”It’s fun to get to work hard and go to the weight room and enjoy pushing yourself.”
Eyes on the Future
Perry is currently training in texas, hoping to earn a coveted invitation to the NFL Combine or a pro day. He plans to return to Middlebury College to complete his degree in molecular biology and biochemistry with a minor in mathematics before making a final decision about his future.
“Every possibility I get, I will do the moast I can and take advantage of it,” Perry asserted.
Q&A
Q: What makes Thomas Perry’s achievement at the Shrine Bowl so critically important?
A: Perry is the first Division III football player ever invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl, a prestigious event showcasing top talent for NFL scouts.
Q: Where did Perry play in the Shrine Bowl, and how did he perform?
A: Perry played center, a position he hadn’t played extensively before. He impressed scouts by contributing to a touchdown run and even catching a pass during a two-point conversion attempt.
Q: What is Perry’s next step after the Shrine bowl?
A: Perry is training in Texas, hoping to earn an invitation to the NFL Combine or a pro day. He plans to return to Middlebury to finish his degree before making a final decision about his football future.
Q: What advice does Perry have for aspiring athletes?
A: Perry emphasizes hard work and enjoying the process. “Work hard, and push yourself. It’s fun to get to work hard and go to the weight room and enjoy pushing yourself.”
Thomas Perry’s story is a testament to the power of dedication and hard work. Will his journey inspire you to pursue your own dreams?