For most football players, the time to shine is on first, second or third down.
For McAllen High’s Robert Amador, it’s fourth down.
On Friday in the McAllen High gymnasium, Amador signed a national letter of intent that will give him plenty more fourth-down opportunities to shine. In front of a crowd of classmates, teammates, coaches, friends and family, the all-district and all-state punter committed to continue his football career at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview.
“I want to thank my dad for the long hours we both shared practicing week after week since I was a seventh-grade,” Amador said. “My dad taught me to get mentally prepared for fourth downs. He would tell me to pin your opponents.
“My mom was my biggest fan on game days, along with my brother Alec and sister Sophia.”
Amador averaged 40.2 yards per punt on 42 punts last season. In his two seasons punting, he tallied 34 of his 86 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Amador has twice been named to the Texas Sportswriters All-State Team, making the third team in 2019 and second team this past year. He is a two-time District 30-6A first teamer and was named to The Monitor’s All-Area team in 2019. He was also the punter for the Glue-Grey All American West Team this past season. In that game, he averaged 44 yards per punt on seven attempts.
“I’m very proud of Robert and his accomplishments,” McAllen football head coach Patrick Shelby said. “He is a true McAllen Bulldog and we wish him the best at Wayland.”
Wayland Baptist athletics compete in the NAIA, within the Sooner Athletic Conference.