For all of the difficult, trying aspects of Kyle Trinidad’s life, there’s no doubt which was the toughest.
Getting himself in order a couple of years ago as a football player, student and young man was much worse that getting blindsided by a speeding linebacker.
“It was the hardest thing I had to do,” the John F. Kennedy senior running back said. “It made me realize how much I loved the game. The teachers and coaches here have helped me so much.”
This week’s Brian Dawkins Award winner struggled for most of his first two years as a Commander. Bad grades. Bad attitude. Wasting away physically. Poor home life. Hanging with the wrong people.
However, encouraged by the JFK coaching staff, Trinidad retained eligibility by the last month of his sophomore season. He went on to a 1,200-yard rushing season in 2010 and has taken off in 2011 — the 5-foot-8, 175-pounder has 1,980 yards and 27 touchdowns and is the prime force behind the Commanders’ 11-0 mark, a resurgence for a city program that needed it.
“It’s just so much better this way,” the 18-year-old Trinidad said of reassessing who he is as a person. “I went through the weakness just to get stronger.”
JFK running backs coach Chris Medina said the entire school is thrilled about Trinidad’s turnaround.
“I love him to death,” Medina said. “He’s not only the best I’ve coached, but when you meet him you see that he’s the most humble, quiet and softspoken kid.”
Trinidad, also a shortstop on the school’s baseball team, and the Commanders hope to be loud Saturday. Having won their first league title in years, they’ll be in Grand Junction to meet Palisade in the Class 3A quarterfinals.
But first, Trinidad, who also has aspirations of competing in college, will meet with Dawkins, and he’s looking forward to it.
“Oh, yeah, he’s amazing,” Trinidad said. “I just love the way he flows to the football and the way he hits.”
Trinidad will be at Sports Authority Field at Mile High tonight, when the Broncos host the New York Jets. Before each game, Dawkins, a Broncos safety, will choose a deserving prep player who demonstrates strong commitment to and accomplishment in the sport and in the classroom, character off the field and has overcome adversity.
The winner receives two tickets to a Broncos home game and pregame sideline passes courtesy of Dawkins, and must be accompanied by a parent or chaperone. Dawkins will meet with the player after the game to offer encouragement.
Nominees must be submitted to The Denver Post at ndevlin@denverpost.com. The final selection is made by Dawkins.
