Palmer grad moves up in his football career

Many boys dream of making it to the National Football League when they’re tossing a ball around in the backyard. Most, of course, never realize that fantasy.

Junior Aumavae, a 2004 graduate of Palmer High School, has a chance to make that dream come true.

Although not chosen in the recent three-day draft by teams picking from the best college players in the nation, Aumavae was signed as a free agent immediately after the draft concluded. He’s on his way to try and make the grade with the Dallas Cowboys.

The 6-foot-2, 330-pound defensive tackle has shown the kind of perseverance that took him from a small town to the big league. In between he starred at two universities — Western Washington and Minnesota State at Mankato.

Palmer just heralded the Olympic feats of silver medalist Kerry Weiland and now comes Aumavae. Before that, 2000 Colony graduate Jessica Moore played on three national basketball championship teams at the University of Connecticut. She now plays in the Women’s National Basketball League for the Indianapolis Fever.

In sports, there are no guarantees, so Aumavae will have to be lucky and good to make the team. But there are positive signs. Dallas wasn’t the only team interested in signing him. Three other teams came calling, including a perennial NFL playoff team the New England Patriots.

Aumavae is just another illustration of how small towns aren’t barriers that keep young people from succeeding in any walk of life.

The universities he played for don’t get the television coverage Notre Dame or Penn State or Southern California get, so his way up the ladder is fairly remarkable. Obviously, some pro scouts took notice and now all of Palmer has a reason to be Cowboys fans.

What’s also remarkable is that competitive football in the Valley is relatively new compared to the 100 years or more for high schools Outside. Palmer and Wasilla first met on the gridiron back in 1979.

Colleges didn’t come recruiting then, and most boys didn’t consider playing football past high school. Now coaches come here looking for gems and Alaska’s athletes routinely play games in the Lower 48. Individuals travel to sports camps where they can be seen by even more college scouts.

Even with all that, the player has to have the desire to succeed. It takes grit and confidence. Aumavae has exhibited those attributes and likely they will serve him well in life well after this football days are over.