Advertisement

One Last Defensive Hurrah

When Regis Philbin started hosting his new TV game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", he probably had some idea of the wide variety of audiences he'd be attracting--soccer moms, senior citizens, factory workers and so on.

But one tiny demographic that drops everything and tunes in for a half-hour of intellectual stimulation is one Regis probably didn't expect--Harvard senior football defensemen.

"Millionaire" was the main attraction one weekday night in outside linebacker Aron Natale's room where several players, including free safety Ben Green and linebacker Jeff Svicarovich, had gathered to eat, watch and talk.

Advertisement

The discussion topic at hand was the experiences and stories of the three players, who, along with five other seniors, start for the Crimson defense.

Aron Natale is the star of the assembled group, the only one of the three who has played all four years. Often labeled as a "quiet All-American", Natale's love of football can be traced to his childhood days in western Pennsylvania where football is life. Natale's father starred as a tight end at Penn State, but to hear Natale tell it, his dad wouldn't let him play for years.

"I couldn't play until seventh grade," Natale said, "but I always knew I wanted to."

Natale also credits his parents for his continued determination and inspiration from week to week. Every weekend, his parents make the long drive from North Huntington, Pa., to Cambridge.

"They drive every weekend ten hours back and forth," Natale said, "and I always hope I have something to show them."

Recommended Articles

Advertisement