West Point, N.Y. – It has taken Gilberto Perez a few years, but he finally has convinced his family members that when they hear “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” it’s not necessarily about baseball.
Perez’s game is football, and he has used his four years on Air Force’s defensive line to show football can have a connection for players of Cuban heritage, and not just baseball.
“It was hard breaking my family into football,” said the senior from Tampa, Fla. “My whole family thought football was a horrible sport, a sport for animals. Growing up, it was all about baseball.
“Now it’s weird, my little cousins are talking to me about football. Before, my family didn’t want to talk about football.”
His brother, Sergio Perez, is keeping the baseball tradition alive as a pitcher in the Houston Astros’ organization.
The Perez family will be talking football again tonight when Gilberto plays, as he sees it, one of the most important games of the Falcons’ season. Air Force (3-4) visits Army (3-6) in a Commander- in-Chief’s Trophy game at Michie Stadium.
It will be Perez’s last service academy game, and is a reminder of why he came to Air Force.
“I didn’t know if I was going to play college football, but I knew I was going to college,” Perez said. “I didn’t want my parents paying for my education. At Air Force, (you) get to serve your country. That meant a lot to me. I’ve always had a feeling that I want to give back. This country has given so much to my family.”
Perez never has been to Cuba, where his family has roots. He has many relatives there and hopes to visit when his military commitment is finished.
But for now, he’s playing out his role as Air Force’s senior statesman in football. He has played with the varsity in each of his four seasons, including three games as a freshman in 2003. Injuries have kept him out of several games over the years, including the last two games last season when the Falcons finished against Army and New Mexico. Perez also has missed three games this year, but hopes to finish strong.
AFA defensive line coach Ron Burton said Perez remained a factor, even when sidelined.
“He’s been a coach on the sidelines when he wasn’t playing,” Burton said. “That’s a plus, but he’s a presence on the field and most definitely we need him in our games.”
Perez credits his maturity to his mother, Flora Coley, one of the toughest among the family members to convert to football. She had to be persuaded to let her son play football in high school.
“She always talked to me as if I were a grown person,” Perez said. “She always treated me that way.”
Perez entered the season as a preseason all-conference selection. However, the missed playing time might hurt his chances for postseason salutes.
“The year’s not over, and we still have five games left,” Perez said. “We still have a lot to play for. We’re playing for pride. I wish I could have played every game. Other players have stepped up. We want team awards. It’s how you finish up at the end of the season.”
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Air Force (3-4): QB Shaun Carney’s passing hasn’t been a big part of the offense this season. He completed 64.2 percent of his 148 pass attempts last year. His completion rate is 54.5 percent this season on 66 attempts. LB Drew Fowler continues to widen his team lead in tackles. With 71, he is 31 ahead of Bobby Giannini. Fowler also has one of his team’s 12 sacks.
Army (3-6): All eyes will be on freshman QB Carson Williams, who is making his second start for the Black Knights. Williams has completed 60.8 of his 51 passes. However, he also has thrown three interceptions. Senior LB Cason Shrode leads the defense with 77 tackles. He also has one sack and a fumble recovery.
Key stat
Army surrendered 35 first downs last week in a 42-28 loss to Tulane.
Key for Air Force
Maximizing Williams’ inexperience. Air Force’s defense has to come alive after a two-week snooze.
Key for Army
Minimizing Air Force’s time of possession. The Falcons have compiled an average possession time advantage of more than five minutes in seven games.
IRV MOSS
