Having a son in the NFL is an exhilarating experience for any parent.
The experience is amplified for any parent that is also a football coach.
Such a circumstance is what Houston Texans defensive tackle Roy Lopez faces as his father, also named Roy Lopez, is the head football coach at Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, Arizona. According to the Texans’ sixth-rounder from Arizona, his father will watch so much of his son’s game tape that he will provide his own insight and correction.
“I have to tell him to watch his own team,” Lopez said. “He’ll call me and tell me something about my film, and I’m like like, ‘What are you doing?’
“He’ll have his film up right in front of him on a laptop, and I was like, ‘Why are you even thinking about my tape?’
“He was like, ‘Well, it was just on my mind. I see this guy getting reached, and I can’t let you get reached, so I’ve got to call you. It’s on my mind,’ and I’m like, ‘Man, bro, just relax. Just worry about your team, plays on Friday.’”
Lopez the younger has produced one tackle through his three games for Houston, two of which he has started at defensive tackle.
Although Lopez has to remind his dad to pay attention to his own team, he is nevertheless appreciative for the guidance his father has provided throughout his life.
Said Lopez: “I’m very fortunate to have my dad be like that and put in the extra time and effort and continue to do it. Even though I reached this level, he still talks to me like he’s my position coach. He’s very into my games, he loves every second of it. But, yeah, I’m thankful.”
The Desert Ridge Jaguars are 2-2 on the season. Houston is 1-2 and face the Buffalo Bills this Sunday.
