Maciejewski jumps at the chance of a lifetime at NFL workout

By Michael Thayer
STAFF WRITER

Whenever a young man puts on a helmet, and buckles down his chin strap, they really have one goal in mind. That goal is to play in the National Football League, but for most, it may never come true.

However, for one former Golden Eagle, that shot might be closer than one would imagine. A 2003 graduate from Cheektowaga Central, Mike Maciejewski played his college days at The College at Brockport. It was there where he would realize that his football days may have only began.

After his final down this past season, the senior went on a leave of absence from the university to pursue his chances in the professional world. This journey began just minutes from his hometown, in Elma, N.Y. It was at the Sahlen’s Sports Park where his first opportunities came.

Inside that sports park you will find Thurman Thomas Sports, and most likely, Maciejewski hard at work. For the last nine months, Maciejewski has not only found a job with the largest sports complex in Western New York, but also a place with endless chances.

For all of those who have watched Maciejewski in action, they are sure to notice the effort that he gives in everything he does. Sahlen’s Sports Park owner John Mariacher agrees.

“To get where he is now, it is through his hard work,” Mariacher said. “You can offer a kid everything he needs, and most won’t take you up on it — Mike has.” On Valentine’s Day of this year, that hard work paid off.

On Feb. 14, Maciejewski tried out with the Buffalo Bills, looking for his break. He attracted theattention of more scouts. It was after this tryout that he received interest from the Canadian Football League and the Hamilton Tiger Cats.

After a remarkable success with the Tiger Cat tryout, the wide receiver may have found his place in the professional world.

“My whole mindset was I was going to be living in Hamilton, and playing for them,” said Maciejewski.

That was until a voicemail from a missed phone call changed his thoughts on such decisions. That voicemail came from a scout who seemed very interested in the athlete.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for a phone call like that,” Maciejewski said. “I saved it on my voicemail and I’ll try to keep it as long as I can.”

Tuesday morning, Maciejewski returned to the fields of Sahlen’s Sports Park to put his talent on display one more time in front of the scout. This time, it would be for the Indianapolis Colts, in a private tryout session.

At just after 9 a.m., the team scout entered the complex and immediately administered a written exam to the potential player. Then, stacks of paperwork had to be completed before getting to the “real” stuff.

Once he warmed up, Maciejewski began with a long jump result of just less than 10 feet, and then a vertical jump of 38 inches. Then, it was to the field for plenty of drills and passing routes, before finishing the day with a question-and-answer session with the scout.

It was a day of positives for the athlete as he received compliments from all in attendance, including the Indianapolis scout, after every drill. Also present was the man behind the training center, NFL Hall-of-Famer Thurman Thomas — somebody who Maciejewski has become familiar with during his training.

“That actually humbles me,” Maciejewski said of the experience working with the former Buffalo Bills running back. “He’s just like any other guy: a funny guy and down to earth.”

Guiding the receiver for most of the tryout was trainer Demeris Johnson, who Maciejewski says has “been like a father.” Johnson spent time in the NFL as well, as a former wide receiver for both the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills.

Maciejewski is not new to forming bonds with those who coach him, but he never expected the bond he has built with his trainer.

“When I met Demeris, I didn’t think it would come to this point,” Maciejewski said. “He showed me a lot more than what it is to be an athlete.”

In his high school days at Cheektowaga, Scott Zipp was that coach, and in his college days, Maciejewski relied on the support of Brockport offensive coordinator Jason Mangone. “The other coaches, they had a big impact on me, but Demeris has shown me a lot more.”

Now that the tryouts are over, it becomes a waiting game. Without being eligible for the NFL draft that begins April 26, Maciejewski will have to wait until the following Monday for any offers that may come. If signed, the work will have only begun, with rookie camps in May. After passing the rookie camps, then the full team workouts begin.

For now, the directions were simple for the NFL hopeful: Wait. As the Colts representative left the Sahlen’s Sports Park, his directions were to wait for that phone call that may come from Indianapolis, or any other NFL team. A simple phone call was what started this dream, and it could be a phone call that makes the dream come true.

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