Punt, Pass and Kick winner competes at Cardinal game

Tyler Rapp is not necessary an Arizona Cardinals’ fan. In fact, his favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. But that didn’t stop him from enjoying a Nov. 1st visit to University of Phoenix Stadium to participate as one of the best young athletes in the state in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition.

Tyler competed in the 10-11 age group after having moved on from his 1st place finish in Maricopa’s contest on Aug. 20, and then taking top honors again at the sectional competition at Kellis High School in Glendale on Oct. 26.

Tyler was one of four athletes who participated in the finals of the NFL’s long-time youth competition, which was held prior to the Arizona Cardinals’ home game against the Carolina Panthers.

While he didn’t finish first, he had a great time, he said. “I was really nervous when I walked out on to the field (at University of Phoenix Stadium) and I saw myself on that big screen,” Tyler said. “But that went away once we started.”

NFL Punt, Pass and Kick is a national skills program for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 15, who compete against their peers. Established in 1961, the Punt, Pass and Kick program is the oldest NFL Youth Football program in the country.

Boys and girls in the event are separated into four age divisions (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15), competing against each other in punting, passing and placekicking. And the athlete with the top score in each age bracket moves on.

Tyler, whose family lives in the Tortosa neighborhood, is the first athlete in Maricopa to compete at the state level of the NFL program. Ironically, football isn’t even Tyler’s favorite sport. “I like baseball best,” he said. In fact, Tyler notched a first place local finish in baseball’s equivalent program, Pitch, Hit and Run. “I like the competition. I like to win.”

But for now, he can claim to be one of the best in football for his age. Does he have a future in football? “Maybe. I’d like to play quarterback or a wide receiver.” Like Larry Fitzgerald? “No, like Hines Ward, from Pittsburg.” Oh right, Steelers fan.

Submitted photo