Nick Palazzo’s Unforgettable 7th Grade Football Triumph: Where 400 Yards, Faith, and a Broken Hand Forged Lifelong Lessons in Resilience
As a seventh grader, Nick Palazzo stepped onto the football field for his parish CYO team, transforming from an unknown player into a dominant force in a single game that would echo through his life. That day, Nick Palazzo racked up over 400 yards and multiple touchdowns, only to face dirty tactics and injury—but it was there that faith, family, and football revealed profound truths about success, adversity, and divine gifts to Nick Palazzo. This is the story of how one explosive performance, captured on vintage Beta tape, became a cornerstone of resilience and gratitude in Nick Palazzo’s journey, shared now as guidance for his daughters.
A Letter to My Little Girls: “We lost track, we stopped at 400 yards.”
I told you a little bit about my adventures playing CYO football for St. Francis growing up, especially the Cleveland City Championship in 6th grade. You’ll find out that every season brings its own winds. I came into 6th grade as a complete unknown playing on an 8th grade team—which meant I barely played. Yes, I was able to make a major contribution in the championship game, but that was really it.
My 7th grade year was a little different. Yes, I was once again playing for my church, my parish, my community, but everything else changed. This year, I didn’t have to add rocks to my pants to make weight, nor did I have to worry about which jersey I would wear. Our family’s now signature #22 jersey was set aside and waiting for me.
This year, I wasn’t just on the team; I was a leader of the team. I had grown up a little bit and developed as an athlete. Even while playing against 8th graders, I knew I would do well. I just didn’t know how well.
Nick Palazzo’s Breakthrough Game: From Starting RB to Unstoppable Force
Our first game came, and it was everything I had hoped it would be and more. It was just like last year: we said the same prayers, we ran the same plays, but my role was different.
I don’t remember the team we played, but I promise you that they remember me. It was also the first game that was taped of me playing the game I love so much. Back then, to get video of the game, someone had to hold a big video camera on their shoulders. The tapes—Beta—yes, I know you don’t even know what that is or means. But trust me, it was cool.
Like in any football game, it’s a team effort, and the results of any running back are the result of their offensive line brothers. This was my first game as a starting RB: #22, wearing my red jersey, with my CYO patch and cross on my wrist.
It went pretty well. As I remember it, I think there were 5 touchdown runs, all of 50 yards or more. But, like you will find out, it’s not always easy when you’re doing well and at the top of your game. The other team couldn’t stop me, so they decided to break the rules and try to take me out of the game. On my last touchdown run—which was an awesome 75-yard sprint where I zigzagged through their defense, breaking 4 tackles and outrunning everyone—their biggest player, an 8th grader, tried to take me out. I scored and stopped running, and before I could turn around to hand the ball to the referee, leveled me. He had at least a 30-yard running start, and I was just standing there. I wasn’t expecting it, fell very awkwardly on my hand as he pushed me in the back, and ended up breaking my hand/thumb. One game in, one game out. That was the end of my 7th grade season.
I didn’t do anything back to the punk; I just ran back to the sideline. I think he was thrown out of the game. It’s just another example of what happens when you have success: people will try to bring you down, any way they can. When I got back to the sideline, I realized I couldn’t move my hand. My coach at the time—a great guy and true Italian—was more than a little bit upset. I asked him how many yards I had in the game. He went and asked a few of the other coaches, talked to the person keeping stats, and then came back to me. His response: “We lost track; we stopped at 400 yards.”
The Last Game for St. Francis: Nick Palazzo’s Reflections on Faith and Tough Choices
This was the last game I ever got to play for a Catholic school. While I sought to honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, always, I never again wore a Catholic team’s jersey. I had 3 other opportunities, and you’ll hear about them all as they were some of the toughest decisions of my life. Maybe the stories can help you when you have an impossible decision to make. I loved going to church before games and praying together, but that’s a story for another day.
Nearly 6 years later, the video of this game would resurface at my high school graduation party. I made a highlight film of all my best runs from 7th grade through 12th grade for my family and friends. We had it displayed on a big screen at the party. I walked over and found half the crowd watching the touchdowns from this game, over and over. One of my best friends—someone who was always dropping truth bombs—touched me on the shoulder and just said, “I’ve never seen anyone move like that, and so young. That’s not you. That’s God.” Never were truer words spoken.
Lessons from the Field: What Nick Palazzo Carries Forward for His Family
So much was learned on that fateful day, the last day I would play for St. Francis. But there are two things that I carry with me most that I want to share with you. First, I remember still to this day watching the game film and hearing for the first time my mother’s voice (Grandma’s voice) cheering for me. When you are on the field and parents are so far away, you can’t really hear anything, but watching—wow, did that make an impact on me. “Go Nick Go.” I can hear it today in my mind and my heart just like it was that day. She was so happy and excited to see me break away and score. Now that she is gone, those moments and memories live on. Second, I will always keep the prayer we did before every game close to my heart. We would always say an Our Father prayer and then finish with our coach getting us hyped by asking St. Francis to pray for us. He would say “St. Francis” and we would respond “Pray for Us”. He would start in a low voice and then grow to a yell with each rendition getting louder and louder, and after about 7 roars, we would all scream back “Pray for Us.” and jump on each other. So, on this day, just like that day, and every day, I ask you, St. Francis and all the angels and saints, to pray for us, our family, and especially my mother in heaven.
To every young person facing challenges: success draws opposition, but faith and family endure. Embrace your gifts, learn from setbacks, and always give thanks. That’s the foundation Nick Palazzo built on that 400-yard day. Remember our way encapsulated in three simple words, nothing else matters… Jesus is Lord.
About the Author - Nick Palazzo
Nick Palazzo is an industry recognized sports technology entrepreneur and marketing innovator appearing in numerous publications and broadcast programs, including The New York Times, the “Today” show, Mediaweek, MIN, Folio, Sports Business Journal, Forbes and Adweek, and is a frequent keynote and panel speaker at sports, media and technology industry events. Earlier in his career, Nick Palazzo was featured as a “C-Level Visionary” by Folio as part of its annual Folio:40 list of media industry influencers and innovators. Palazzo was also featured in the acclaimed book Upstarts! How GenY Entrepreneurs are Rocking The World of Business.
A graduate of Harvard University, where he finished as one of the football program's all-time leading rushers and scorers and a key member of the first undefeated championship team since 1913, Nick Palazzo is passionate about expanding the possibilities available to today’s student-athletes from under-resourced areas.
Nick Palazzo was also a nominee for The William V. Campbell Trophy aka the “Academic Heisman”, the most prestigious and desirable academic award in college football. The trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
While a Harvard athlete, Nick Palazzo founded STACK which grew into a global athletic training content sensation with a mission of educating and inspiring youth athletes. STACK was the originator of athlete-centric content produced “For the Athlete, By the Athlete," with a focus on training, nutrition, skills and gear. LeBron James was the first athlete featured by the platform where his high school workout was shared with the world.
Nick Palazzo is a proud #girldad with four amazing daughters. He is also a devout Roman Catholic having been involved in the Harvard Catholic Student Society and a variety of other catholic organizations over the years. Nick Palazzo's favorite Bible verse is Romans 10:9. Jesus is Lord.
Business Site: https://www.npventures.com
Family Blog: https://www.nickpalazzo.org
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-palazzo/
X Profile: https://x.com/nick22palazzo
Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/nick22palazzo
Personal Blog: https://www.nickpalazzo.com/
Sports Site: https://www.2x2sports.com
Nick Palazzo
Nick Palazzo is a Harvard graduate, former collegiate standout, and founder of groundbreaking sports platforms like STACK. A proud #girldad to four daughters and devout Catholic, he channels his love for faith, family, and football into the 2x2 Foundation, helping under-resourced student-athletes chase their dreams—just like a certain 7th grader once did on a record-breaking afternoon in Cleveland.
For more stories like this, follow along on nickpalazzo.org.
