SAN JOSE CALIF. – Silver Creek’s newest senior football transfer, Nathaniel Santiago, sustained yet another injury in the game against Piedmont Hills High School, putting an end to his highschool football career just one week before senior night. 

Senior night, a night every athlete dreams of since their freshman year. A night filled with mixed emotions, pride for successfully making it this far in their sport, nostalgia when one reminisces the last four years, putting blood, sweat and tears for a game. Lastly, a glimpse of sadness knowing this chapter of their life is closing.

Unfortunately, for Santiago playing on his senior night became impossible after sustaining an injury seven minutes left of the 4th quarter to his meniscus and tearing his mcl in the game against Piedmont Hills High School. Being injured is not a new experience for him as he has had multiple injuries including, tearing his ACL, MCL, lateral medial meniscus in his knees, the summer before junior year, costing him his junior season.

After realizing his football career as a Silver Creek Raider came to an abrupt end, emotions flooded him. “I immediately felt crushed about not being able to play or to even be able to finish my senior season when my teammates needed me the most.” Santiago says. The love he has for the game will never fade and just wishes he had the ability to rewind to that exact moment in time and stop himself. “ I miss it a lot already. I see others playing and fall right back to when I missed my whole junior season.” Santiago says. During this time, support from his friends, family and coaches has helped him look at the positive things football has brought him. Most of all, his biggest supporter, his mom, has aided him the most after each injury throughout the years keeping him calm, poised and providing confidence only a mother can give. Over the years he’s learned that it takes time to get what you want to drive for, does not happen overnight. 

“I play strictly for my uncle, the man who got me into the game and now watches me from the heavens. He was a good man who meant well and I wish to continue my legacy for him. The time I got to play high school football was for him, so leaving all the amazing and fun experiences sucks but, I am grateful to Coach Luescher for giving me another chance at playing again for my final year of high-school football.” Santiago says.