Story Poster
Photo by Jamie Maury, TexAgs
Texas A&M Football

Zach Calzada's father Hector reacts to the family's rollercoaster week of emotions

October 15, 2021
21,760

Key notes from Hector Calzada interview

  • As a parent, it has been quite a rollercoaster. We're at a high right now, no doubt. So many friends and families and strangers have been reaching out. We're so proud of Zach, the team and this coaching staff, so it has been a wonderful week.
     
  • I would be telling a fib if I said I wasn't talking to God quite often. That has been consistent over the last couple of weeks. As a parent, you have to take it play by play, and that's nothing new as I've gone through this with him quite often. You never expect something on the next play, but you do hope. Somethings I've learned by watching Zach and his teammates, amazing things happen when their backs are against the wall. We were fortunate to see that play out.
     
  • My relationship with my son has changed as he moved on to college. He has his coaching relationships and other people he confides in. I think I do a better job of emulating what my father did: Being the consummate uplifting parent and waiting. I used to swim in college, and my dad would always let me say as much or as little. I try to be there for him as a parent.
     
  • Zach handled the criticisms much better than I would have. The coaching staff did a great job of helping them block out the noise. I tend to hear the negative voices more than he does, but for every negative voice you heard on-air or on social media, there have been ten voices reaching out with something positive to say. There are many, many Aggies that have been extremely supportive. It's something that myself, my wife and my daughter, who will be signing to play soccer at Texas A&M soon, have come to love about the Aggie nation.
     
  • We're in a different environment. I'm not around him every day. It's very difficult. The number of hours the players put into practice and schoolwork and film study is incredible. Zach is doing everything the coaches are asking him to do. This team is extremely tight, and it's not just the first team guys. That bond is critical. His connection to Haynes King is special. Everyone wants to push this element of competition, and I understand that. He's extremely tight to King and the King family. I'll include the Bost family in that as well and Zach's relationship with Blake. They're tremendous backgrounds and relationships.
     
  • I was born in the United States, but my parents left Cuba in the 60s. They left the country at the last minute as Castro was taking over Havana. It was extremely dire circumstances and had to stuff cash into a shampoo bottle. We actually had a David Nuño in the family who stayed in Cuba. My parents were sponsored by a church group in St. Louis and helped them on their journey. They ultimately moved to Atlanta years later to reconvene with the rest of the family. My father was very much an advocate for athletics and academics together. I ended up swimming at Tulane, and having my parents there for the entirety of that journey was very special.
Discussion from...

Zach Calzada's father Hector reacts to the family's rollercoaster week of emotions

16,497 Views | 17 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by Dice
nu awlins ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Exactly what a father should be. Sounds like a great and grounded man, father and husband.
BigJim49 AustinNowDallas
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AGinHI
How long do you want to ignore this user?
greg.w.h
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
The approach of letting Zach come to him when he chose to is one I've arrived at somewhat by accident with my four children and my one son-in-law. It's a great feeling when they do ask for opinions and advice. And especially when they recognize having others add information to their decision making does not take anything away from what they accomplish.

Really enjoyed this interview. Every bit of it.
AgOutsideAustin
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Baller Dad right there, we can all work to be fathers like that.
impavidus
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
How people deal with adversity can be traced to the parenting they received or general support system as kids.

Zach's turnaround makes a lot more sense after hearing this.
agz win
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Quality parent being the touch stone. Good to witness and good for Alex.
mickey644
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Being part of the Aggie Family can be described, but you have to be a member to FEEL it. The only thing I felt somewhat like it is the love of my wife and that of my US Marine buddies. God Bless Texas A&M. Mickey '66
Jarrin' Jay
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I'll say this about Zach, if I was the QB at that age after Pig and State I would not have been able to hold my head up high and go to class, or go hand out donuts and ticket pull, etc. Zach seems like a high quality and high character teammate and Aggie. I hope he continues to have success.

I have had season tickets since the early 90s, longer than many here, not as long as some here, and I can only ever recall Buck's name being chanted, but Zach is the ONLY player I have ever seen get carried off the field by the students/fans.

The whole second half of 4Q and post-game was awesome, and Zach just gave all the credit to the OL for the win and his performance. Classy.
Divining Rod
How long do you want to ignore this user?
This game, this team, Calzada, coaching staff, 12th Man...... it was a rags-to-riches story this past Saturday on so many levels.

Hopefully many of us have learned some lessons and will keep them in mind.
ABATTBQ87
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Jarrin' Jay said:

I'll say this about Zach, if I was the QB at that age after Pig and State I would not have been able to hold my head up high and go to class, or go hand out donuts and ticket pull, etc. Zach seems like a high quality and high character teammate and Aggie. I hope he continues to have success.

I have had season tickets since the early 90s, longer than many here, not as long as some here, and I can only ever recall Buck's name being chanted, but Zach is the ONLY player I have ever seen get carried off the field by the students/fans.

The whole second half of 4Q and post-game was awesome, and Zach just gave all the credit to the OL for the win and his performance. Classy.
Since the 1970's students rarely go onto Kyle Field after a game, except for cadet fish who carry off the yell leaders, there was never an opportunity to carry off players.

I remember Jackie Sherrill carrying Craig Stump after we beat Arkansas in 1987, and way back in the '50s when my dad was in school the cadets would carry players off the field.

AgTDub
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Zach's character will carry him far and would even if he was just a regular student. Proud to have him and people like him representing my university on the field and in life.
TAMU74
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Great interview. Zack is fortunate to have such a great father.
I was impressed to hear how close this team and their families are with one another.
That is most reassuring.

Papa Joe
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Very impressive and informative!
Gig 'em Calzada family!!!
TxAgswin
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
We are interviewing players' family members now?

Honestly, that's kinda weird.
"A house divided cannot stand"

Abraham Lincoln
caleblyn
How long do you want to ignore this user?
That last bullet about his father leaving Cuba in the 60s. Same thing happened to my mom. My grandpa flew a small plane from Cuba to Puerto Rico. He made many trips and took out about 400 people.

One of the big reasons that I despise JFK!
Dice
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Great interview! Thanks
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.