By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
SANTA ROSA — Cars honked as they drove by the “One Tribe” mural painted on The Concession Stand across from Santa Rosa High School, the site of RJ Vera’s big moment.
Vera, who played wide receiver for the Warriors, signed to play football at Graceland University with a large crowd of community supporters on hand to help him celebrate. Vera will be joining a handful of Santa Rosa teammates as they take on the Heart of America Athletic Conference in the NAIA with the Yellowjackets.
“Honestly, the butterflies haven’t stopped. But I’m excited knowing that I’m going with all my friends,” Vera said. “I’m looking forward to going with my bros, as they say. They’re all my best friends, and we’re going to have a good time and we’re going to make the city of Santa Rosa proud.”
Santa Rosa defensive coordinator Pablo De Los Santos is a Graceland alumnus and has played a role in getting Warriors athletes to Lamoni, Iowa. He said it’s very special for him to see his former players attend a great place and have the opportunity to allow their athletic talents aid in paying for a good education.
Vera will be studying criminal justice at Graceland, so he’ll be teaming up with his friends in the classroom as well. Vera thanked his family, friends, coaches and the town of Santa Rosa for all their support, and he said he’s going to work hard to keep making them proud with his teammates by his side.
“Our brotherhood is never going to break, and I’m looking forward to transferring that to GU with them,” Vera said. “It’s pretty amazing. I feel like we have the whole town on our backs, so we have something to prove.”
Vera’s efforts earned him several offers, but ultimately playing a few more years with his friends made Graceland the right fit. Santa Rosa football coach Hector Ayala thinks going together will make the transition smoother for all his former Warriors. Vera said he’s looking forward to playing in big games and making big plays for the Yellowjackets, and Ayala believes Vera is equipped to do just that — not only because of his athletic abilities, but because of his willingness to work.
“I’m excited for him. I told him to go make his family and community proud,” Ayala said. “When he said, ‘Coach, you think I can go (play college football)?’ I said, ‘You’re physically capable, you’re athletic enough, but your mindset has to be about putting in the work.’ At that level, all the guys are putting in work. What separates you is fully dedicating yourself, and he did that. His work ethic started improving. He started his junior year and he really picked it up (during the) summer going into his senior year, so this is great to see.”