Football is a powerful sport that has dramatically changed the lives of thousands of young athletes. But you don’t have to tell that to Dantë Tortorici. He is well aware of the power of the game.
Like many football players, Tortorici was introduced to the sport through television. With a variety of professional and college football to chose from, Tortorici said that watching the game made him want to play. It was a decision he probably will never regret.
“Football is my life, means everything to me,” he said. “Without it, I’m nothing.”
Dantë Tortorici (#3) and his Team Québec teammates. Courtesy of Dantë Tortorici.
It is no doubt that football has stolen his heart, and he has his mother there to support his passion. He said his mother is the most influential person in his life because she is always there for him, whether sports related or not.
While his mother is his off-field inspiration, Tortorici has a certain player who he likes to model his game after. The running back looks up to fellow running back Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bell has a career total of 4,595 yards, 1,042 rushing attempts, 257 total receptions and 30 touchdowns from 2013 to 2017.
Tortorici said he chose Bell because he “plays like him and learned from him.” In seven games, Tortorici himself has had a total of 1,326 yards with 11 touchdowns.
When it boils down to what makes Tortorici effective, he said he believes his speed, running ability, ball carrying skills, vision and patience gives him an edge. He added that he loves everything about his position. When he attended combines, he said he felt was a top ten prospect.
Currently in his final year of high school, Tortorici is finishing up his career with Les Scorpions de l’École Armand Corbeil (RSEQ). He was a member of the Team Québec squad that took home gold in the 2017 Football Canada Cup in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He said that playing in the tournament was a highlight of his football career. In grade nine, he won a Bol d’Or with Les Scorpions. He was named the game’s MVP and was rookie of the year. The following year, he was named as the league’s MVP.
Tortorici can only get better and in his future, he plans on getting good grades and continuing on in football. As for next season, he said he is most excited about “putting on a show, playing for the team and working as hard as possible on the football field.”
And how will he prepare for that? “Training, training, training,” he said. “Then football, (and then) sleeping during the off season to recover from injury.”
Dantë Tortorici (#22)
Running back
5’8, 175lbs
Teams: Scorpions de l’École Armand Corbeil, Team Québec,
Official visits: none
Unofficial visits: none
Considerations: open
Class: 2018 (high school)
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