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Chasing a dream

Cal Twait stands with his father Kevin and mother Cathy Twait after a football game in Cedar Falls.

Cal Twait’s dream of playing in the NFL has taken a couple of detours, but every path has made him stronger and more determined to keep his hopes of playing on Sundays alive.

Twait, a 2015 Manson Northwest Webster graduate, suffered two injuries following his standout career at Northern Iowa (2018), but he has been able to bounce back with perseverance and a strong homemade work ethic.

“When I was younger, I always knew I wanted to play professional football,” Twait said. “Going into my senior year of high school is when I began to realize that my dream could become a reality. I had always worked hard, but I began to push myself in the weight room and in practice at a higher level knowing the opportunity was within reach.

“Playing in the NFL would mean a lifelong dream being accomplished. I have always had so much support from my family, friends, and community — making it would be a reflection of that support.”

Twait the son of former Iowa Central head coach Kevin Twait (current athletic director) and the grandson of Emmetsburg coaching legend Duane Twait, has lived by the words of his father and grandfather on his road to possibly making an NFL roster.

“A lesson I have never forgotten from my dad and grandpa was one about consistency,” Growing up watching them coach taught me that if I worked hard day in, and day out, I would be able to grow into the player I always wanted to become.

“I will carry this throughout my potential NFL career, and wherever else life takes me.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic crippling the nation, it has sent Twait down another road, but not one that has deterred the former Cougar.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created setbacks as far as my preparation for the NFL,” Twait said. “Pro Day testing and drills at UNI were canceled, which made it so NFL scouts were not present like they would be normally.

“Some former teammates and I were able to do some drills and testing on camera to send to teams and scouts. This wasn’t the ideal situation, but was the best thing to do under the circumstances.”

While wearing the purple and gold, Twait found his niche at left tackle for Northern Iowa. He was a four-year starter, and earned all-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors for the Panthers. Twait was a third team All-American for FCS Stats following his senior year.

After going through rehabilitation from his ankle and shoulder surgeries, the dream that started when he was a youngster, is still alive.

“I was extremely determined to get back to 100 percent (after the injuries),” Twait said. “I didn’t want those injuries to hold me back, and through many hours of rehab I am feeling the best I have in years.”

With the uncertainty of when athletes will be able to get back on the field, Twait is staying prepared and doing the best he can to stay in shape to answer the call when it rings.

“I have been able to stay on the same lifting, running and positional drill plans that I would have been on regardless,” Twait said. “The next step will be getting signed onto an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent.

“This will hopefully occur right after the NFL Draft, but could happen anytime from then until training camps began in late July. So it will be all about staying ready for when the moment comes.”

The trek to the NFL may be uncertain of how long, and when, but Twait is ready to face any obstacle in front of him.

“Throughout my entire football career, the only things I had control over were how hard I chose to work, and what college I attended,” Twait said. “Sports are filled with unknowns, and even though this has added even more uncertainty, it isn’t something I’m not used to.

“Mentally I know that if I continue to work hard, good things will happen.”

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