Tomahawk:
Blue Wave Football’s Unsung Hero
NEIRAD enilno edition
At the helm of the Darien football program is a unique sort of leader. This year a bevy of leadership comes from the trenches. Senior offensive tackle Brett O’Donnell is coming back off a great junior season in which he started each game amongst the fearless teammates who brought home an FCIAC title last year. He and junior Peter Gesualdi are the only returning starters to the team. O’Donnell is the only captain on the line (the rest being runningbacks, quarterbacks, and wide receivers). He is the anchor of a fairly inexperienced line; only O’Donnell and junior Matty D’Andrea have seen any legitimate varsity time as linemen before this season.
O’Donnell’s body type is perfect for his position. He is a squat 5’9” and a solid 230 pounds. He is far quicker than you would ever expect. When a defender charges at him, threatening his quarterback, he kicks back, duck footed, punches his opponent in the chest and stalls him immediately. “He is an animal, it’s crazy,” said senior defensive lineman Jake Coughlin. His reputation throughout the program is that of an impenetrable wall, this stems from his in-practice immortality. His nickname – Tomahawk - began as a parody of the Wilton Warriors team chant, but soon developed into a persona. Whether he is squatting four hundred and fifteen pounds in the weight room, or stifling an impressive defensive player, he dominates the turf like a tomahawk would on a Native American battlefield.
O’Donnell is a very unique sort of leader. He is soft-spoken and keeps to himself. “Brett’s a silent leader, just always there,” said head coach Rob Trifone. Brett is the epitome of someone who leads by example, and is a large piece of the bedrock that the youthful team is building on. He is awe-inspiringly consistent in his effort. “Every practice I just go out and try to get better and make the others around me better,” Brett said when asked about his work ethic. Every single day he will work hard and set the same example as the day before. Given rain, snow or burning heat, Brett’s demeanor won’t change in the slightest. When everything crumbles around him, Brett remains the same, with a slight smile on his face, just happy to be playing football.
