People all across the world have watched the 10,559 sports movies produced, yet a running back from Riverside City College happened to watch his own.
Dean Connors watched his father, Brian Conners play football at the University of Oregon on old school VHS tapes found in the attic.
That same passion mirroring his father carried him from California high school football to RCC. Then landing in Division I football and ultimately receiving a phone call from an NFL team.
“I had no stars coming out and no offers,” Connors said. “We just wanted to put myself in the best position to play at a four-year university, and Riverside was really successful and had a great coach in Craft.”
Within four years his doubts slowly turned into hopes after being contacted by the Los Angeles Rams. They signed Connors as an undrafted free agent on April 24.
Connors received the call at his home in Houston.
“I was in Houston just, just at the house, kind of navigating the whole draft thing and was super fired up to know that I was coming here to this great organization and, I was chomping at the bit to fly out here and come home.”
Heading back in time, Connors joined an RCC program led by legendary Tigers’ head coach Tom Craft, a coach he credits as one of the biggest influences in his football journey.
“He was really able to take us young kids under his wing,” Connors said. “Whether it was him getting on us for messing around or celebrating wins and singing in the locker room, he was a great influence and someone that I’ll remember forever just because of the lessons he taught us.”
Craft said he was not surprised by Connors’ success.
“Dean is a very high character and a very intelligent football player it doesn’t surprise me that he’s had the success that he has,” Craft said
Connors’s favorite game from his time at RCC was against Golden West College at the Southern California Football Association Regional Final. RCC won the game 27-23. Connors rushed for 60 yards on 9 carries that game and scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the final seconds of the third quarter.
“Winning that championship was really awesome and it summed up the kind of year we had.” Connors said. “To be honest, I think at Riverside we were really prepared for a fast-paced, high-level, football game in terms of schematics and being on the field,” Connors said.
Connors remembers the relationships he built at RCC the most. He formed close friendships with teammates Noa Purcell, Isac Garcia, Dom Tomanico and Braden Siri.
“We lived in a 4-bedroom apartment and we were all doubled up and there were people always in there and some people would say JUCOs are a grind and it sucks, but I feel the complete opposite.” Connors said, “I really got an awesome experience and I still have friends from Riverside now that I still talk to and it really helped me grow up and get ready for the next level.”
After his time at RCC, Connors transferred to Rice University, where he played for one year before heading to the University of Houston, where he would play the remainder of his college years. In his final game with Houston in the Texas Bowl Connors put on a stellar performance, where he finished the game with 126 yards on 16 carries and one rushing touchdown.
“To be honest, I think at Riverside we were really prepared for a fast-paced, high-level, football game in terms of schematics and being on the field,” Connors said.
Achievements are lined up on Connor’s resume as he was named co-MVP of the Southwestern League in his senior year during the 2020 season, where he played at Murrieta Valley High School.
Now that Connors resides in California, he plans to come back and visit old friends at Riverside and RCC.
“I was super fired up. I spent four years in Houston. I was super thankful for my time there, but you know I love California,” he said
Connors’ shared a simple message to current Tiger athletes.
“Put one foot in front of the other. The more you can live in the present, I think the more successful you will be, good things come to those who work hard, and that’s really kind of what I learned throughout my journey.”
