Richard Nieto

This picture represents who I am, where I come from, and everything it took to get here. 🇲🇽🇺🇸🏈🌮 I’m from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. I’m standing here in my football uniform next to a trompo, and that means something to me. The trompo represents where I come from. The uniform represents where I’m going. And Torta Power represents both. To compete and develop, my family and I have had to make sacrifices. Long drives, border crossings, early mornings, late nights and sometimes 3, 5, even 8 hours on the road just for football. And that sacrifice has given me opportunities I’ll never take for granted. Today I’m a sophomore varsity starter at Orange Lutheran, competing in the Trinity League. I’m 6’2”, 295 lbs, currently starting at right tackle and able to move around the offensive line. Yeah, I know… 6’2” at tackle. 😂 Small pero picoso. 🌶️ I may not be the tallest tackle, but I take pride in being strong, physical and versatile. Put me where the team needs me and I’m going to compete. When I was younger, I was the big Mexican kid. El gordito. Instead of being embarrassed about my size, football taught me how to turn it into a strength. That became part of Torta Power. 🌮💪🏽 Now I’m starting to see more Mexican and Latino kids playing American football. More families making those same drives. More kids crossing borders to compete. More gorditos discovering the offensive line and realizing: “Hey… maybe this game has a place for me too.” I want kids in Ensenada, Tijuana, Mexicali and all across Mexico and Latin America to see what’s possible. Dream about playing in the U.S. Dream about getting a great education. Dream about earning that D1 opportunity. I didn’t leave my culture behind to chase my dream. I BROUGHT IT WITH ME. 🇲🇽 That’s what this picture represents. From the trompo to the trenches. 🌮➡️🏈 From Ensenada to the Trinity League. And hopefully, this is only the beginning. PURO TORTA POWER. 🌮🏈🇲🇽🇺🇸 #TortaPower #OLine #FootballRecruiting #ClassOf2029 #MexicoFootball #LatinosInFootball