Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino has a rooting interest in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Victorino has been in touch with University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in recent months. Mariota, who is projected to go early in the first round of Thursday’s draft, has tremendous NFL potential after winning the Heisman Trophy in his junior season with the Ducks, but the duo’s Hawaiian heritage is to credit for their unique friendship.
“I was texting last week just to see how he’s doing and how things are going,” Victorino recently told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. “It’s important to be open to help. I told him, ‘If there is any question for anything, if there’s one guy who has experienced — maybe not in the game of football — agents, the ups and downs, being at the high and losing at the top.’ So we’ve communicated.
“We always use the word ‘Ohana,’ which means ‘family.’ No matter what, I’ll still look at you like family. This kid has remained humble. You always hear him talk about his teammates. Being an unbelievable football player, he still always gives credit to his teammates.”
Victorino, who reportedly had dinner with Mariota after one of the quarterback’s college games, also established a relationship with fellow Hawaiian Manti Te’o, now a San Diego Chargers linebacker, during Te’o’s time at Notre Dame.
The 34-year-old plays an entirely different sport, but he clearly cherishes the opportunity to serve as a role model, particularly for those with a similar background.
“As an athlete, these guys look up to, you feel honored for them to sit there at the table and act like that,” Victorino told Bradford. “Then you look across the way and you realize this kid has so much potential.
“Even though it’s not the same sport, these kids always say, ‘We hope to (follow) in your footsteps as to what you did in your career.’ That’s the kind of stuff, coming from there, it makes me humble because these kids have such bright futures.”
Victorino is in the midst of his 12th major league season. He has witnessed plenty during his career, so it’s refreshing to see him pass along some wisdom to the next wave of Hawaiian professional athletes.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ShaneVictorino
