.."In life, let your dreams be your only limitations". A former football coach of mine gave me that advice, and I have damn sure taken it to heart! It has been a long strange trip, but "The Toddster" continues to defy the odds.
My bro (Matt) who grew to mutant-like proportions 6'6", 310 lbs. was a role model to me. As he went on to prosper on the football field, I watched, and idolized him. He would go on from Mission Viejo High, where he earned many honors to be a four year starter as a D-Tackle for USC.
When I came to MVHS, not only did I battle on the football field, but I fought another interesting war as well. The principal at the time had changed the school mascot from a Diablo (devil for the espanol impaired) to a bulldog, although we were still known as The Diablos claiming that the mascot was (holding pinky finger to lips) evil. You might think, "So what?!", but I forgot to mention that this particular bulldog was wearing a ruffled pirate shirt and a conquistador helmet! (not cool) I started wearing the old football shirts with the horny mascot only to find myself threatened with suspension. When it came time for me to start driving, I was the was given the family owned fugly full sized 1979 Ford van to manuever. I figured I would make the best of the situation, and since the principal couldn't tell me not to park on campus, I had the brown beast w/ orange pin stripes painted black w/ flames painted down both sides and the trusty Diablo with horns cracking through a MVHS football helmet immortalized on the driver's side (see my photos) and no, I don't still drive it. I then approached the school board and proved that a 2/3 student majority vote was needed to change a mascot. Long story just a bit shorter, a student vote was granted, and the Diablo (pitchfork, horns and all) returned as the official mascot where it remains to this day! Now that you wasted two minutes of your life that you'll never get back reading that, back to football / dreams.
I was not gifted with my brother's size ( I'm about 6' on a good day, or if I placed cut off heels from flojos into my shoes to impress college scouts), but I was a tough S.O.B (no offense mom!) I went on to beat his stats while starting on both sideS of the ball, but when it came time to look in the mail box for all of the letters from colleges begging me to play for them, I saw nothing but coupons, bills, and F'N credit card apps! Anyway, I went to USC and participated on the football team as a walk-on. I paid my dues, earned respect and a full footall scholarship! I even had my "Rudy" moment as I got a sack among several other tackles my senior year as a Trojan. One dream in the bank!
Since I can remember, I have loved pro wrestling. I grew up believing that "Training saying your prayers, and eatin your vitamins", which was the advice given by Hulk Hogan, was the only way to go I later met a friend at USC (Chris Bell) who had two brothers who were both wrestlers. He got me in touch with Rick Bassman who runs a Southern California pro wrestling promotion called Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW). Since then I have worked with the company and have become its head writer(even though it is not scripted & is all on the up & up!) and lead play-by-play commentator. As a result, I have worked with many of my childhood heroes including The Undertaker and WWE Hall of Famers Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (another dream come true). It is a good feeling being able to do what I love as a job. I am now doing play-by-play and ring announcing for several Mixed Martial Arts promotions including Valor Fighting, Ring Of Combat and EliteXC. I am now calling pay-per-view events for In-Demand which has been an awesome experience.
That being said, my #1 job right now is being a dad. I am blessed with a beautiful son (Jack). I love him with all my heart, and he makes me a better person.
