Going back to his roots

Marc Mariani's football career has been closely followed by Havre residents for two years. His flare for long gains on kickoff returns and turning hard to reach passes into points for the University of Montana Grizzlies has kept people riveted to their screens. But there were years before when people said he didn't stand a chance in college football, and he had to create his own shot, he told students at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic School. His career began in seventh grade with a too-large helmet and no experience and is ending with 33 touchdowns for the Griz and 4.32 seconds as his fastest 40 time. The "three Fs," as he referred to them — family, friends and faith — got him through challenging times and enabled his success, he told students Friday morning. "Just don't ever forget those three things," he said, adding later that his parents, coaches and several mentors in the NFL, as well as friends from his St. Jude's days, have helped him immensely along his way. "Don't ever underestimate hard work," he told students. It will get them wherever they want to go in life, he said. His hard work, including academically to earn a marketing degree from the university and physically to earn a spot on the team, has given him two potential paths to follow for the future. One leads to the NFL. Football has been his world for years, he said. "I love football to death," he said. But a career with the NFL might not pan out — 250 players likely will be drafted with Another 100 or so signed as free agents, with roughly half of that total cut by July, and thousands will put their names in for consideration, he said. "It's a whole new world" from college football, he said. "It's a crazy business." The other path leads to a career based off of his degree. "I'm ready to roll now," he said, because he worked hard in school to maintain good grades. Academics are critical to success, he stressed to students. "If you screw up in school," he said, "it's not a good deal." The thought of graduating from college this spring is scary, he said, just like when he moved to the high school. His time at St. Jude's prepared him for the transition, though, and the current students are prepared as well, even if they don't realize it, he said. Time goes quickly, and it's strange to look back on how much has passed already in his life, Mariani said. "It's funny coming back to the same classrooms I was in," he said, and he made special trips to three teachers that taught him when he was enrolled. Linda Ferguson taught him in fourth grade, Kim O'Leary taught him in second grade and Joyce Hellman taught him in fifth grade. He urged students to remember where they've come from and the people that have helped them along the way. "I came from the same place," he told one class, "and you guys need to know that you can do absolutely anything you want." Looking back, if there was one lesson he wishes he could have learned earlier, it would be to try as many things as possible, he said. "Just try as many new things as you can," he said before sharing a story about how he ended up in a school play. He earned a small role in a high school production his senior year and threw himself into it, he said, only to discover that the play dates were the same as the dates for all-star basketball tournaments. It was a tough decision to make, but he chose the play. "It was one of the coolest things I've ever done," he said. Don't let others dictate what to try and how to act, he said. He did occasionally and regrets it, he added. Students should get involved, he said. "Just take advantage of every second because it goes so quick. "These are the best years of your life coming up," he added. "I'm excited for you guys," he said. "You guys will do great. I can't wait to see where you guys head."