He's Still Dreaming Of NFL -- Delgardo, Only 5-6, Still Wants Another Shot At The Big Time

Curtis Delgardo lives with an ocean of talent bottled up in a pint-sized body.

If someone doesn't give him the opportunity to uncap it soon, Delgardo might fade away with a slow fizz.

Two weeks shy of his 27th birthday, Delgardo realizes it's make-or-break time with his sporadic football career. He has had a tryout with the San Diego Chargers, a stint in the World Football League and, most recently, a season with the Canadian Football League at Saskatchewan.

He currently is playing semipro football with the unbeaten Federal Way Jets (11-0), who play the Portland Thunderbolts (9-2) tomorrow for the Northwest Football Alliance championship at Federal Way Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

"I have to make a living," Delgardo said.

Delgardo, just 5 feet 6 and 175 pounds, leads the Jets in all-purpose yardage with more than 1,000 yards in seven games. He missed the first three weeks while holding out for a professional team to come calling, and he also missed one playoff game with a sore back. Kenny Austin, owner of the Jets, had followed Delgardo's career from Renton High School to Portland State University and enticed him to play for the Jets this season after other opportunities failed to pan out.

"Calgary (of the Canadian Football League) was supposed to bring me up, and I told Kenny I wasn't going to come out (for the Jets) because I wasn't going to take any chances," Delgardo said. "I waited so long, finally I said, forget it, I'm going to play."

Playing football has been Delgardo's passion since his junior year in high school, when he fled a turbulent career at Cleveland and found stardom at Renton. He led the North Puget Sound League in scoring as a senior with 94 points and ultimately earned a scholarship from Portland State University. There, he set numerous yardage records, including most rushing yards in a game (225), season (1,408) and career (4,178).

From PSU, Delgardo was kicked around from the NFL (San Diego) to the World Football League (New Jersey) to the CFL (Saskatchewan). Delgardo feels his lack of size has a lot to do with his lack of opportunities, and so does Austin.

"Once he has the opportunity, they'll see his speed, his elusiveness, and his overall athletic ability will overpower the fact that he's a small guy," Austin said. "There are small backs in the NFL right now, and Curtis can do all the things a good back should be able to do."

Delgardo prides himself on playing big, despite his size.

"It (success) has to do with your heart and the ability you have," he said. "God gave me ability to play football, and I love it."

But Delgardo's lack of size has limited his opportunties.

"If I was even 5 foot 8, I wouldn't have any problems at all," he said. "You don't see too many backs 5-6 playing every down. But, pound for pound, I'm usually the strongest guy on the team."

Delgardo still has a strong desire to play professional football, but he also realizes that, with a new wife, he needs to be financially secure. He is close to completing his degree in physical education and is interested in becoming a counselor for high-risk youth.

Delgardo likes to live what he preaches, which is one reason why he hopes to continue to pursue a professional football career. He began talking to at-risk youths while at Portland State, and doesn't take his own messages lightly. Consequently, Delgardo won't give up his NFL quest easily.

"I talk a lot to younger kids about not giving up on their dreams, and I don't want to give up on my dream," he said. "I try to be an example. I'm not going to give up, but you also have to be realistic, and you have to have alternate goals."

If Delgardo isn't given the opportunity to play in the NFL, don't expect to see him back in a Jets uniform next summer. Playing semipro football has given him a chance to stay in shape, Delgardo said, but hasn't satisfied his appetite.

"I'd rather walk away and leave it alone for good than be at the table and not be able to eat," he said.