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By Jose Garcia, azpreps365.com
Safford’s Ralph Frias Ready for 2016
Ralph Frias lives in a city, Safford, with a population of
about 9,600, where high school sports fans recognize him for
his size (6-6, 310) and whisper about his football potential.
But being a big hombre in a small pueblo also makes him a
target.
When Frias was in junior high he was bullied. Back then,
he was too scared to tell his family and friends, even his
biggest influence, his mom, Melody.
Now a junior at Safford High School, his confidence and
message about an issue that can harm one’s self-esteem is
empowering. Messing with Frias now is not recommended.
azpreps365.com caught up with the small-city big name
this summer to talk about how his summer is going, football
and bullying.
Are you taking time off, enjoying your summer vacation
so far?: “There’s no days off. You have to go for what you
want. There hasn’t really been a vacation, sir. I wake up at six
or seven and go work out.”
What’s for breakfast before you head out?: “Four pieces of
toast. A regular cheese omelet with four to five eggs. And a
glass of chocolate milk.”
That’s not really a regular omelet.: “Well, no not really
(laughs). But for me it is.”
In Safford, do you get recognized often?: “Not everywhere,
sir. Not too long ago I went to get a haircut. An older man
went up to me and said, ‘Wait a minute. Are you Ralph Frias?
Yo, this is No. 77. Oh, wow!’ It happened at the barbershop.
It’s an amazing feeling.”
Any football genes in the family?: “My dad (Rafael). He
also was No. 77. He used to play football at Superior High,
just take after him. He played left tackle as well. He played at
Eastern Arizona.”
Is your mom also tall?: “Yes, sir. She’s 6-foot tall. My mom
(Melody) is amazing. I’m close to her. I’m a mama’s boy.”
You’re a mama’s boy. But I bet you are not a softy on the
football field.: “No, sir. That’s a different topic.”
When did you start playing football?: “I was in shoulder
pads when I was in 5th grade. But I was really uncoordinated
when I started. I took it upon myself to get better and started
jumping rope and lifting. I had some help from my uncles also,
Yoda Chavez and Robert Abalos (Safford High P.E. teacher).
Yoda’s first name is Jason. We just call him Yoda.”
Photo of Ralph Frias courtesy of the Safford Football Staff
A knee injury set you back last year, but it didn’t keep
New Mexico State from offering a scholarship at the end
of your sophomore season. How does your knee feel?: “It
put me out for three weeks, but I’m good right now. It was a
minor injury. Right now I’m ready to roll, just to prove some
people wrong. There are some haters right now.”
PlayStation or Xbox, and what games do you like to
play?: “Xbox. I’ll play NBA 2K and Madden 15. I play with the
Cavaliers and New York Giants. The Giants are my favorite
because of my step dad (Nigel.)
Have you faced any other obstacles in life?: “I have been
bullied. You are going to have hard times when that happens.
It happened when I was younger, in middle school, because
of my size. People would say something behind your back or
say it to your face. I’m a huge target in small community. I
was hiding from my mom. But eventually I talked to her.
That’s when things became smoother. Go get help right away
if you are in that situation, a teacher, your mother, counselor,
but right away. Don’t be afraid. Nowadays some people still
like to push my buttons, but I just ignore them.”
What was the big moment where people started to notice
you outside of Safford?: “It probably happened at an Arizona
State camp when some footage got out last summer.”
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