Front and Center
February 26, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - At any level of football, there is only one player on the field that touches the ball each and every time the offense lines up. That man has a multitude of responsibilities, including identifying the blitzing linebacker, calling out the proper protection, protecting the passer, and simply ensuring the football reaches the hands of the quarterback safely and securely. That player is the offensive center, and for the Utah Blaze, those responsibilities fall on the broad shoulders of Antonio Narcisse.
At the beginning of each and every play, Narcisse hunkers down into his stance and stares face-to-face with a massive nose guard whose sole purpose is getting to the quarterback, regardless of who is standing in his way.
"Somebody's sitting in front of you every single play. This guy is in a three point stance and he's shaking," Narcisse explained. "There's a lot of pressure playing center [in Arena Football] because it's the fastest way to the quarterback. There's no shotgun. He's right behind me. So I have to snap and hold this 350 pound man in a short space. It's crazy but it is fun."
Narcisse is built to withstand the brutal punishment of routinely battling 300-plus pound defensive linemen. In fact, at 6-4 and 340 pounds, his frame is better suited for inflicting damage rather than enduring it. Boasting a thick barrel chest, powerfully wide shoulders and a driving lower half, Narcisse's body almost appears to have been engineered to guarantee the preservation of his quarterback.
However, Narcisse's journey to the Arena Football League was often an uphill climb, dating back to his childhood. Growing up in the 7th Ward section of New Orleans with only a mother, grandmother and aunt to look after you can make it easy to find trouble. It was football that set Narcisse on the right path.
"I started playing flag football in middle school because I was too big to play little league. You had to weigh 132 pounds [to play in little league] and I weighed 150, so I couldn't even play back then. That's when I started [getting into trouble], but when I got to middle school I tried out for flag football.
"The crazy part about it was I didn't even make the team my first year. It was seventh grade and I ended up being a water boy. The coach called me a 'trainer,' but I was feeding everybody water and getting towels and wiping faces. My eighth grade year, I went to the coach and asked him to be the trainer again. I started sneaking my way into practice and I would go to the coach and say, 'since I'm here, let me practice.' I played in two games and ended up getting recruited to play at a high school."
Narcisse went on to flourish on the gridiron, earning All-State and team MVP honors as a two-way lineman at New Orleans' Reed High School. Upon graduation, he played two seasons at San Mateo Junior College before transferring to Portland State University. It was there that Narcisse met offensive line coach Eric Reid, an influential figure who helped mold the future Blaze star into the player he is today.
"He taught me and he put pressure on me. Even though I was better than the guy that was starting in camp, he put me at third string and told me I had to work my way up. Two weeks into camp, I earned that starting spot.
"He always told me, 'there are a thousand other centers out there. What can you do differently than those other thousand guys at your position?' Some of those guys, their tail would go between their legs because they weren't used to somebody with an in-your-face type of attitude, but it motivated me to always want to be better."
In each of his two seasons at Portland State, Narcisse earned All-Big Sky accolades while anchoring a unit that allowed the fewest sacks of any program in the conference. Despite an impressive resume, Narcisse was forced to prove he was worthy of a spot on a professional football roster once his college career came to an end.
Narcisse caught the attention of the New Orleans VooDoo in 2007 while performing at an Arena Football combine in Las Vegas, but wasn't immediately offered a contract. Instead, the VooDoo offered Narcisse the opportunity to compete for a job on a two-day waiver, inviting him to practice midway through training camp. Despite being a week behind the rest of the group, Narcisse not only earned a roster spot, he earned a starting nod in the season opener. Ironically, his first Arena Football game came against the Utah Blaze.
"I don't mind competition; I'm never scared of it. I'll strap up like anybody else and prove to you why I'm the starter. That's my motto."
Narcisse started 13 games for the VooDoo as a rookie in 2007 before joining the Cleveland Gladiators in 2008. During the 2010 season, Narcisse won ArenaBowl XXII as a member of the Spokane Shock, who were coached by current Utah Blaze defensive coordinator Rob Keefe. Narcisse finally joined the Blaze midway through the 2011 season, when Utah sent backup quarterback Erik Meyer and offensive lineman Raymond McNeil to Spokane in exchange for Narcisse and defensive end Khreem Smith.
Narcisse has become a staple in the Utah Blaze offensive front, starting every game at center since his arrival. He's developed a strong rapport with record-setting quarterback Tommy Grady while solidifying an offensive line that has provided protection for the AFL's most potent aerial attack over the past two seasons.
"Tommy and I have real good chemistry. Tommy has a lot of pressure on him so I try to make it easier on him. Sometimes he'll come to me and ask what I think about the snap count. We've built that trust. He knows I've got his back."
Entering the 2013 season, Narcisse has set his sights on achieving some lofty, yet obtainable goals, both on an individual and team level.
"I hate giving up sacks. I gave up two or three last year, so my goal is not give up any sacks. I strive to be perfect. One of my goals is to be All-Arena. This is the first time in my career that I have yet to win an individual award and that keeps me hungry every day. Obviously I also want to win a championship. I want that ring. I know how it felt when we won it back in 2010 and I want that feeling again."
After constantly battling for his spot on the roster and depth chart throughout much of his football career, Narcisse has found a home with the Utah Blaze. Yet the chip on his shoulder remains, and Narcisse is determined to prove the 2012 season wasn't an anomaly for the Utah Blaze.
"I want to take Utah and put it on the map. I want the League to know last year wasn't a fluke. The Utah Blaze is here to stay."
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