---

Stephanie Payne

Mom

(815) 714-0437

---

Steven Montalto

Dad

I started playing football in 2nd grade and haven't stopped since. I love everything about playing football. From blocking to hitting, even conditioning, I love football. I was born to play. I have given everything these last eight years to become the best I can be and continue working to improve each day. Unfortunately, in the fall of 2023, I suffered my only football injury and had surgery to repair my shoulder. I decided to finish the season before having the surgery; I never let my teammates down. I have worked hard for the last eight months with perseverance, commitment, dedication, and tenacity to proudly say I am 100% healed, and I returned for the 2024 season! I won Male Athlete Comeback Player of the Year and was featured in an article about my journey. In the off-season,  you will find me wrestling, attending yoga classes, weight training, and practicing with my 5V5 OL and DL team. I work hard each day, striving to be better than the day before, and I cannot wait for our first game this 2025 season! In the meantime, I am enjoying my new perfect shoulder by attending every combine, showcase, and camp. After my injury, I was told I would probably never play at 100% again, and that day, I knew I would prove them wrong. I had a great 2024 season; I am having a fantastic winning wrestling season and am excited for our 5V5 Lineman Team's first competition. 2023 made me stronger and hungrier than ever to prove to everyone what linemen are made of, and in 2024, I was able to show them. My goal in 2025 is to improve every day because when everyone else is sleeping in the off-season, I'm getting hungry and ready to eat you up this fall! 
Male Comeback Athlete of the Year: https://exactrankings.com/features_highlights/joseph-montalto-a-story-of-resilience-and-triumph-in-f...