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WESTON, Mass. — Mack McManus has been playing football since he was little. He would throw the football into a net or basketball hoop or between two branches of a tree for hours at a time – basically throwing and aiming over and over again until he would succeed. This dedication and his love of football finally convinced his mom to allow him to play football in 6th grade. However, the day before his first practice, Mack was hit by a car, which resulted in a broken foot. Although he could not play the entire season, he attended every practice, standing next to the coach to learn everything he could about the game. He was more than ready to hit the field when he actually started playing in 7th grade.

From then on, Mack was a force to be reckoned with – working hard, full of energy and making things fun for those around him. He is a natural leader both on and off the field, trying to follow his role model, Tom Brady, as a tough but supportive leader, who always inspires players to be their best.

Mack is currently captain and quarterback of the Weston High School (WHS) football team (as well as captain of the WHS Boys Lacrosse team) and plays for the Legacy 7v7 travel team. Throughout his football career, he has had many successes and accolades, including being named the MVP for the 2021 season as well as a DCL All-Star, being featured in Boston Globe weekly highlight plays, being part of the Legacy 7v7 Champions, and holding 2020’s High School Longest Pass for 60+ yards. He hopes to play football in college and continue to excel both on and off the field.

Congrats, Mack!

What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?

Mack McManus: I would love to play football for as long as I physically can. My goal for this season is to throw for over 2,500 yards and 20+ touchdowns and to help lead my team to a winning record.

What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

McManus: Our lack of numbers. It is hard to get 11 guys on the field that are able to play in a varsity game and stay healthy the whole season. I am constantly trying to recruit guys to play – it is really a great team with an awesome coach.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

McManus: My friend, Mike Karantonis said, ‘Stay proud in your heart and in your mind.’ I also like to live by former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s words: ‘Control what you can control.’

What do you love about your sport?

McManus: There are so many things I love about football – Friday night games, being under the lights, having an entire town cheering for you – but my favorite thing about football is the brotherhood that we build as a team as we take the field and put our maximum effort into every play.

What do you like to do outside of your sport?

McManus: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, fishing, working out, riding my dirt bike, golfing, and eating. Lately, I love listening to classic albums on a turntable.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.

McManus: In one game, I threw an interception, and the other team scored off of it. I had to move on from my mistake, and we ultimately turned the game around and won. It taught me to not get down on yourself and to keep moving forward.

What has being a member of a team taught you?

McManus: Being a great team player means that you have to put others before yourself. It is not just one person that makes the team great – it is all of us.

Anything else you’d like to add?

McManus: Come support the Wildcats on Friday nights. It is fun!

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