English
Spanish
Portuguese
Arabic
Haitian Creole
Chinese (Traditional)
By Joe McConnell
It’s a dream of all athletes from their earliest days in youth sports, but only a small percentage of them would have that opportunity to experience the reality of getting drafted into professional sports.
But Everett’s Mike Sainristil via the University of Michigan, where he played a pivotal role in helping lead the Wolverines to the NCAA Division 1 national football championship in January, was one of the fortunate ones to hear his name being called out at last week’s NFL (National Football League) Draft in Detroit. Sainristil, an All-American cornerback, was chosen by the Washington Commanders in the second round, 50th overall on Day 2. Put everything in perspective, there were only 257 collegiate players over seven rounds that got drafted by NFL clubs this year, and Sainristil was among the top 20% of that elite group.
Sainristil was a two-time Super Bowl-winning player while at Everett High School after learning the game in the always popular Everett Pop Warner League. He then took his extraordinary talents to Michigan, and at that point he developed into a pro prospect.
But getting started in Everett is always a good place to begin for any football player with aspiring goals to make it big in the sport. The city has produced its fair share of Division 1 college football players over the years. Once there, some continue on to the pros either as players, coaches or front office personnel.
Sainristil is now one of those players, while Mike Borgonzi, another former Tide athlete, has been making decisions that has helped the Kansas City Chiefs become a generational team with three Super Bowl championships in the last five years. He has been in the team’s front office pretty much for the last 10 years, the last several as its assistant general manager.
These two former Everett stars have much in common. As a senior, Borgonzi helped lead the program to its first Super Bowl title in 1997, while Sainristil was on its last one 20 years later in 2017, when he was a junior. It was his second state championship in as many years. He certainly learned what it takes to win during those two campaigns, something the Wolverines found out throughout this past season.
Borgonzi’s 1997 team shutout Bridgewater-Raynham in that year’s Super Bowl, which took place at Boston University’s Nickerson Field, 21-0. Sainristil’s 2017 squad defeated Xaverian at Gillette Stadium, 35-10. They also topped the Hawks in the big game the previous year, 21-7. Between those 1997 and 2017 championships, legendary coach John DiBiaso’s clubs were on top of the local scholastic world 10 other times.
Borgonzi was not really surprised that Sainristil was taken so high in the draft by the Commanders, ironically a team who interviewed him for its general manager’s job earlier this year.
“Mike (Sainristil) was one of the best defensive back prospects in the draft. He’s a smart, tough and dependable player (who) was one of Michigan’s top leaders this past season,” said Borgonzi. “When scouts went through Michigan last year, (our) coaching staff praised Mike’s leadership ability and how vital he was to their success there. The Commanders got themselves a good football player with high character traits that will be an asset to them on the field and also in the community.”
Not lost on Borgonzi is Sainristil’s Everett background. “As an Everett native, (Sainristil) represents everything that is good about Everett football. We are certainly proud of his accomplishments, and wish him success as he starts his journey into the National Football League.”
Sainristil spoke to the Washington media for the first time as a pro last weekend. Here are some excerpts on what he had to say to them:
On being picked by Washington
“I’ll say this, it was definitely a dream come true. Growing up, you wish and pray to be in this position. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was not expecting it to be the Commanders. I thought I was going to the Steelers at 51. But I felt my phone vibrating, I looked down, there was a Virginia number. I’m like, ‘man who the heck from Virginia’s calling me right now.’ I pick up the phone and right away my heart felt at ease. I felt at peace. When I met with [Head] Coach [Dan] Quinn here in Michigan, everything about it was good. The vibes were great. They had a genuine love and appreciation for myself, and it was definitely reciprocated. I felt (it) was a meeting that I left feeling very comfortable. I appreciated the conversation that the coaches had with me, and I’m just very excited to get to Washington to get the ball rolling.”
On what he can add to the Washington defense
“I grew up watching football a certain way, and that’s the brand of football I still play to this day, which is very instinctual. I’m a complete football player. Whatever’s asked of me, I’m going to do. Whatever the coaches need me to do, I will do it to the best of my ability. I’m a guy that’s looking to make an impact on the field. It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s on special teams, defense or even offense. I’m also going to bring leadership to the team, and a winning mindset.”
On Washington’s turnaround
“It’s a program looking to rebuild and chase greatness. I know what it takes to be a part of a program that’s looking to rebuild. While I was here at Michigan, I was on a 2-4 squad, and then we changed some things around that were pivotal for the program and it ultimately led us to the national championship. So being a guy coming into a program like the Commanders, where they’re definitely in a rebuild, I’m ready to do whatever. I’m ready to be all hands-on deck to get this thing going. I want to win a Super Bowl, so I’m ready to do whatever (it) takes to take those steps toward that (goal). It’s going to be a process, but you have to fall in love with the process to get to where you want to be.”
On where he will play inside or outside
“Yeah, I want to play inside. That’s where I make my money. That’s where I’m very comfortable. I have the flexibility to play anywhere on the field like outside corner. And I have the knowledge to play safety, as well. So again, whatever the coaches need me to do, I’m going to do it. But put me in that slot corner, and let me go cause havoc.”
On the coaching staff’s reputation for developing corners
“100 percent. I’m ready to be coached up. Ready to take all the coaching, all the gems, all the constructive criticism. I’m ready for the hard days. It’s not going to be easy every single day. I’m just ready to be coached by a great group of guys and ultimately have success with this group. I’m super excited.”
On how much better he can be
“I would say the future is very bright. I’ve only been playing the (cornerback) position for two years, so to me there’s a lot of upside. I’m only going to continue to get better, and that’s what excites me the most. I’m ready to be developed as a complete football player.”
On changing a struggling locker room into a championship one
“Everybody has to have the same mindset, and we have to buy into that every single day. We have to hold each other accountable. We have to gel as one, and it starts with the little things. I’m ready to bring that aspect to the program. I’m going to do whatever’s asked of me. I have to prove myself of course, but that doesn’t mean I can’t lead.”
