Footballer now playing in Switzerland: a kind gesture shattered Nacita’s NFL dream

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The season opener of the newly established Helvetic Guards in the European League of Football (ELF) went wrong last week, forcing them to admit defeat to the Barcelona Dragons. But there was a glimmer of hope: Running back Silas Nacita (29) made a 215-yard spectacle for the Swiss team.

It is only thanks to an incredible story that the Californian, who is one of four admitted Americans on the team, ended up in Switzerland. “I had what it took to make it to the NFL,” he tells Blick. But it turned out differently. At the age of 20, the running back played college football at Baylor University in Texas in 2014. In his first season, he won the prestigious Big 12 championship with the varsity team.

The homeless soccer star

But Nacita always had one problem: money. Because college players in the US don’t earn anything, athletes can only make a living from sports in the NFL professional league. Nacita grew up in poverty, his parents divorced early – he lived with his mother partly on social security. When he left home, Nacita even had to live on the street.

A close friend’s family finally wanted to help the homeless football star in 2015 by giving him about $1,000 (about 900 francs) a month for renting his apartment and meals.

Player license revoked

A noble gesture that spelled his downfall. It was against university rules at the time. Nacita was banned in March 2015 and lost his license for “accepting free room and board”. A rule that no longer exists today. “I played football a little too early, today that would not be a problem,” says Nacita.

“I was devastated. I’ve worked all my life to play football at this level.” But he didn’t want to give up. A year later, Nacita signed a professional contract in Germany.

The coach cheers

After a few stops in Europe, the former university star has now arrived in Switzerland. “It’s the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen,” he enthuses. He lives with his wife and a team colleague and his wife in the middle of the city of Lucerne.

“My goal is to help Swiss players reach their potential. Many are very talented, but still lack the right mindset.” A task that Nacita seems to solve “Silas does a very good job and makes sure everyone in the team understands their role,” says Guards coach Norm Chow (77) about his star.

Nacita could envision becoming “something like a football ambassador in Europe” after the career. But now the Guards have their first home premiere, on Sunday the new Swiss team meets the Raiders Tirol in Wil SG. To create a feat of arms against the Austrians, it probably needs another show from Silas Nacita.

Source : Blick