After a lost 2020 season, UMass Dartmouth senior Chris Gomes fights through adversity to end his collegiate career a champion
When reflecting back on his entire collegiate career, there was one person who motivated senior Chris Gomes to be his best – his late-grandmother, who he lost prior to the start of the season.
The loss of his grandmother had a major impact on Gomes but he dedicated his season to her.
“A huge motivator for me this season, was dedicating this season to my grandmother. She passed in early July before the season started, and it was a really dark time in my life. She was such a huge part of my life, and always went to my games as a kid growing up and into college. I had ‘RIP Gram’ on the top of my cleats, so at any point during a practice or game I could look down and see her name and remember the lessons she taught me to never quit and outwork every single person that steps in front of you,” said Gomes.
Heartbreaking loss to the 2020 season due to the COVID pandemic
The Corsairs fifth-year senior lost the entire 2020 season due to no football being played because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not being able to play football last season was heartbreaking for Gomes.
“It’s kind of tough and it hit me hard when I got the news about the season being canceled,” Gomes said to the Taunton Gazette.
During the offseason, Gomes focused on getting ready for his final collegiate season with the Corsairs. While Gomes lost his true senior season, he was able to get his mental health in a good place.
“It was definitely a bitter moment having my true senior season cancelled after being named a captain and being in the best shape of my life,” said Gomes.
“It was a tough time in my life and after talking with my family and coaches, kept my dream alive to play one last season and motivated me to push myself and our team beyond our ceiling. It was my ultimate goal when I arrived at UMD as a freshman to end my career as a champion,” he said.
Eye on the prize - focusing on the new 2021 season
During the layoff between the ultimate end of the 2020 season to the 2021 season, Gomes worked out in the gym getting into even better shape. His head coach Mark Robichaud took notice of Gomes and his dedication in the gym.
“Gomes changed himself physically over the year, he stayed focused and he changed himself,” said Robichaud.
“I was always doubted and counted out because of my size growing up, so that underdog mentality was always burning deep inside me,” said Gomes. Coming out of high school, Gomes was only 5’8 and 140 pounds.
Gomes spent three to four hours per week working on the field. He spent two to three hours a week working on footwork, ball drills, or coverage drills.
Gomes and his teammates would hold weekly workouts with teammates to build chemistry with one another.
“A big thing for me that allowed me to get ready was the chemistry I was able to build with my teammates. It allowed us to have weekly workouts on the field and challenge each other to sharpen our techniques and be better players. The constant support from my family and friends helped me to stay motivated and in the gym everyday striving to be better than I was the day before,” said Gomes.
UMass Dartmouth quarterback Dante Aviles-Santos credits Gomes’ leadership that helped bring the group together.
“I mean for me personally it was the leaders we had at the top that made it easy for the freshman year guys like myself during that COVID year to still push through and understand the goal even from a distance. Chris was the more vocal guy for sure man, he was an inspiring guy to walk into this school and see him in his leadership role,” said Aviles-Santos.
Gomes is graduated with a degree in Marketing with the hopes to break into the sports field. His hard work and passion on the football field has translated to what Gomes does off the field.
During the summer, prior to starting camp with the Corsairs, Gomes began an externship with NESN.
“It would be a goal of mine to own my own personal training facility for high school and college athletes who don’t have the privilege of these larger D1 institutions to get that hands on training that they need to help them get their game to the next level,” said Gomes.
Wrist injury almost ends Gomes season
The Corsairs began the 2021 season with the hopes of ending it on a high note, winning a championship. Robichaud knew he had a special group of players. They were young but he knew they were special.
“We have a great group of kids and the support we get from the University has been tremendous,” said Robichaud.
Coach Robichaud added, “There is so much work, so much effort put into the season, I’m proud of the staff and all over our players.”
The Corsairs started the season 2-0 and were heading into a key Week 3 match up against Framingham State University. UMass Dartmouth would fall to Framingham on their home turf, 45-21.
During the loss, Gomes would injure his left wrist. The initial injury had put the senior in a tough mental space. He had just lost his entire 2020 season and now was three games into his final season and was worried it would all come to an end.
Despite the injury, Gomes pushed through with the motivation of his grandmother and was able to help his teammates on the gridiron. He rehabbed and worked with trainers to be able to play at a high level with his teammates.
“Every time I step on the field, I treat it like it was going to be the last time I will ever put those pads on,” he said. “My teammates knew that, and gave me the support that I needed to remain hopeful and with my head held high.
I knew it was going to take a lot of hours in the training room, and there was going to be a lot of pain I would have to play through, but I couldn’t let my brothers down so I knew it wouldn’t be the end for me,” said Gomes.
The fifth-year senior would persevere on the field and would be able to take part of the remainder of UMass Dartmouth’s special season. The Corsairs would run through the rest of their schedule finishing 8-2 on the season and would earn a berth in the New England Bowl.
UMass Dartmouth advances to the New England Bowl
The Corsairs great 2021 season led them to the New England Bowl, where they would do battle against Alfred State.
The appearance was the program’s first in a bowl game since 2004. The Corsairs were looking to match their most victories in a season since 2003 with nine. They went on to defeat Worcester State, 21-7, in the ECAC Northeast Bowl back.
Gomes was a huge part of the reason why the Corsairs were playing in the New England Bowl. He had 55 tackles, one sack and two interceptions on the season. Gomes was named 1st Team All-MASCAC, an honor he will forever be grateful to have in his final season.
Heading into the New England Bowl, Gomes was excited for the opportunity to win a championship. He also knew that this game would be the final time he would ever wear the Corsairs jersey on the gridiron.
“It was honestly a surreal feeling, it was always my ultimate goal to leave UMD with a ring. Knowing I had the chance to accomplish that goal, it was more than enough fuel to keep me motivated. I had a lot of nerves going into the game, but the amount of work I put in over the last five years I knew I was ready for the moment,” said Gomes.
The UMass Dartmouth Corsairs realized their dream they set out to accomplish at the start of the season. The team defeated Alfred State in the New England Bowl, 42-16. With the win, the Corsairs earned their ninth win of the season.
Robichaud was extremely proud of his team and coaches following the championship. “It was just a great afternoon, I’m so proud of the kids and the staff and the whole University on how they took care of us.”
“When we all came together it felt like clockwork, even when we lost those two games we all still came ready to work. Like I said all attest to the leaders we had and the more vocal of our captains was Chris. Each of our captains were incredibly unique in their own ways and brought so much to the table. It was fun to see Chris be the energetic vocal guy for us,” added Aviles-Santos.
The game was full of highlights for the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs. One of their touchdown’s was featured on ESPN’s Top-10 plays. UMass offensive lineman Tyler Gmyr received a toss from his fellow teammate and ran the football into the end zone. The play gained mainstream notoriety including being featured on Yahoo Sports and Barstool Sports.
New England Bowl win put Gomes entire collegiate career in perspective
The win in the New England Bowl was surreal for Gomes. There were so many emotions going through his mind following the game.
“After the game, it was like the weight of the world was off my shoulders. After the clock hit zero, I just fell to my knees and broke out in tears. All the long practices, team lifts, hours watching film, hours in the training room, all finally paid off and that the final chapter of my book was written,” said Gomes.
The win put Gomes entire collegiate career in perspective. The year provided many memories for Gomes including a game against Bridgewater.
“My most memorable moment in my college career would have to be our huge upset win against Bridgewater State, it was a massive win to put us in position for a chance at playing in a bowl game, and it was a career game for me. To get that win at BSU with our team playing the way we did, it is a game I will never forget,” said Gomes.
“From the small kid, who would never get any playing time or amount to anything, to First Team All-Conference Defense, a bid to play in a home bowl game, and taking home the hardware and winning that ring, it still feels like a dream,” said Gomes on his Instagram.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
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