728 days––how long star running back for the Benilde-St. Margaret’s football team, senior Joe Marinaro, was off the field. 

After a successful freshman season, Marinaro was injured with a tibial plateau fracture, leaving him out for his sophomore season.”I was on crutches and had to go through surgery for my leg,” Marinaro said. 

When junior year came, Marinaro broke his back training for football. “This was a devastating injury that left me out of physical activity for nine months,” Marinaro said. 

Being sidelined for two years taught Marinaro about hard work. “It taught me that no matter how hard you work for something, it doesn’t always work out, so you just keep pushing forward,” Marinaro said.

After two years of healing and preparing to return, Joe is fully prepared, yet nervous, to set foot on the field for his final season with the Red Knight. “I was really nervous because I haven’t played a real game in a long time, and I didn’t know how the injuries would affect my play now that I’m back,” Marinaro said.

Marinaro started playing football in seventh grade, and it has been his passion ever since. “I value the time out on the field more because I have a lot less time than I thought I would in my high school football career,” Marinaro said.

Fans are all excited to see Joe back on the field as they headed to the turf this fall. Marinaro gave his all, scoring two touchdowns and six tackles against Orono, leaving the team with a 21-7 victory. The crowd even started a new chant inspired by Marinaro’s nickname, “We got sauce!”

“Joe is a hard worker, and I am excited to see what the future has in store for him,” senior Charlie Warnert said.