Certain people were just born to do things. Mozart was born to bea musician. Einstein was born to be a genius. San Diego State’ssenior center Mike Malano was born to be a football player.
Michael James Malano was born on Oct. 16, 1976, in the tiny townof Delta, Colo. On the day he was brought into this world, his fatherJim noticed the size of his legs and said, “He’s a lineman.”
Malano has always wanted to be a football player. Every Sundaywhen he was little, he would slip on his No. 53 Randy Gradisharjersey, strap on his helmet, put blackstone under his eyes and listento Denver Broncos games on radio.
There’s an old saying that the acorn doesn’t fall far from thetree. In Malano’s case, nothing could be more true.
His mother Marty works in the psychology department at SDSU. Basedon that, it’s no surprise that Malano is majoring in social sciences.His dad was a lineman, a high school coach and an avid Broncos fan.Malano also wants to be a football coach.
Like his father before him.
Unfortunately, Malano’s life hasn’t always been a fairy tale. Hisdad died of brain cancer when Mike was only 4 years old.
It was Malano’s paternal grandfather, Bob Petty, taught him thegame of football. Before World War II, Petty played as lineman atGeorge Washington University. He too loved the game of football.
And he loved his grandson.
Petty would routinely trek the 10 or so hours from his home inDelta to Scottsdale, Ariz. where the family moved shortly after Jim’sdeath, so he could see all of his grandson’s Pop Warner and highschool games.
His grandson’s play didn’t disappoint.
In high school, Malano played offensive guard and defensive tacklefor Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. He once rambled with aninterception 43 yards for a touchdown. During Malano’s senior year,he helped Horizon win its first-ever Arizona 5A state championship.And to top it off, Malano captured the Frank Kush Award, annuallygiven to the best offensive lineman in the state of Arizona.
Petty was on hand when Malano received the Kush Award. He wasthere to congratulate his grandson on his receiving a scholarship toSDSU. But then one day, he was gone.
Petty had become a victim to lung cancer.
Those who have lost loved ones to cancer know that it does certainthings to the human body. Awful, indescribable things that make itpainful for family members to look at the victims.
Malano saw those things. He spent a month at his grandpa’s bedsidebefore he died, a week before the Aztecs opened its 1995 season.
“Anyone who knows Mike knows he’s a good person with everythinghe’s been through,” said fellow offensive lineman Andrew Kline. “Bylosing his father at a young age and then his grandfather, a lot ofpeople could use that as an excuse. Mike uses it as (a catalyst) toreach his goal in life. I’m sure Mike knows how proud they would havebeen.”
While he is not a religious person, Malano says a little prayer tohis dad and grandpa before and after every game.
“I feel the presence of them when I’m playing,” Malano said.
He also feels his father’s presence of when he reads a quote thathis sister gave him. And although the quote hangs on his wall, Malanokeeps it close to his heart.
Before this season, Football News named Malano a preseason secondteam All-American. Malano has been a four-year starter for SDSU. Hehas started 41 straight games.
“You can always count on Mike Malano,” said Aztecs head coach TedTollner. “If things are good, he’s steady. If things are bad, he’ssteady.”
Apparently, he’s also a steady date.
Brace yourselves, ladies, this man among men who looks like theboy next door, is taken.
And has been for a while now.
Malano has been dating his girlfriend Heidi for close to sevenyears. She is set to graduate from the University of Arizona thisspring.
And while most long, distance relationships don’t work, this onedoes. The couple sees each other often, as Heidi attends every SDSUhome game and some away games.
Over the past four years, Malano has had some great memories ofthose games.
In 1996, his redshirt freshman year, the Aztecs squeaked out a28-24 victory over No. 13 Wyoming. His sophomore campaign, SDSUtraveled to the University of Arizona. Although the team didn’t win,Malano played well against Joe Salave’a, an All-PAC-10 defender. Andlast season, the Aztecs played in their first bowl game since 1991.
Now Malano has only three games left to play in his collegecareer. After that, possibly a career in the National FootballLeague.
How good are his chances?
“I think he’s capable,” Tollner said. “But (NFL scouts) get hungup on measurables. But the way he plays the game is the best thinghe’s got going for him right now. He’s got the qualities that they’relooking for at that level.”
