A Washington Commanders rookie thanks his family.
Seventh-round draft pick quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was asked about his support system as he attempts to make the roster. Kalyakmanis returned to his true supporters in life: his parents. “My parents gave up on their dream of having me and my brother. They gave us everything they had,” he recently revealed on “Next Man Up.”
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“I don’t know if my dad likes me saying this, but he traveled a lot when I was younger. So I didn’t see him that often because he was working. He was working in California and Iowa, and I grew up in Antioch, Illinois. I remember being at home as a young kid and wondering, ‘Where is he?’ He was working, and that always bothered me. They gave everything to me and my brother.” Kaliakmanis’ brother Dino (6-1, 200) is a wide receiver at Rutgers who will have his senior year in 2025. He was also a top ten performer in all academic circles.
Assen also noted that he has received support from many in his hometown of Antioch, Illinois. “The people there have been with me every step of the way. They helped me get here. My coaches, you know, everybody that’s been a part of my life has helped me get to where I am now. They’ve been a big part of my journey. I’m so grateful for those people that have been a part of my life. Everybody has helped me and made an impact on my life.”
Not wanting to forget his two younger siblings, Assen added: “My brother and sister have always supported me and I’m so grateful.”
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There is an old saying: “No man is an island.” Yes, we have to work hard, but we can’t fool ourselves either. There are people around us, past and present, who have had an impact on our lives. It sounds like Kalyakmanis understands this.
This article originally appeared on Commander’s Wire: Washington Commander: Arsen Kalyakmanis thanks the support system
