In its inaugural “Spartans in the NFL” ceremony on March 16, Monsignor Edward Pace High School honored six of their distinguished alumni who have played or are currently playing on an active NFL roster.
It was a homecoming for these Pace alumni, including Super Bowl 50 champion and Denver Broncos cornerback Kayvon Webster, a Pace Class of 2009 alumnus. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Stephen Morris (Class of 2010), DeMarcus Van Dyke (Class of 2007), Joel Rodriguez (Class of 2000), Johnny Frost (Class of 1992), and Nakia Reddick (Class of 1992) were also honored with their NFL jerseys framed and hung inside the Pace gym.
Webster, Morris, Van Dyke, and Rodriguez were on hand for the ceremony held in front of the entire student body while Frost and Reddick were represented by family and friends. Athletic director and head football coach Joseph Zaccheo spoke about each of the alumni and their careers as video highlights from their Pace, college, and NFL days played on-screen. Former Pace head football coach Mario Smith, who graduated from Pace with Frost and Reddick in 1992, presented a $500 check for the Spartan football program.
Rodriguez, a member of the 2000 University of Miami National Championship team and now UM’s Director of Player Development, talked about his pride in Pace and encouraged everyone to follow their passions. Van Dyke, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons on March 15, thanked God for putting his Pace coaches and teachers in his life.
"We have had six Pace alumni on NFL active rosters, including three currently in the NFL,” said Pace principal Ana Garcia. “It is something that we are so proud of that we wanted to share with the world and use it to motivate our current students.”
The NFL awarded Pace a golden NFL football bearing Webster’s name to commemorate the school’s induction. Webster presented the ball to Garcia at the end of the ceremony by throwing it to her as the crowd cheered. Afterwards, the four alumni spoke with the current Pace football team, advising them to cherish their time in high school and the close bonds they will create with teachers, counselors, and coaches.
DeMarcus Van Dyke says that he fondly remembers the retreats he attended, the friendships he made, and the close relationship he developed with Anthony Walker, Dean of Students and assistant football coach at Pace. “Pace changed me,” said Van Dyke. “I came from a public school and I met people with many different backgrounds here. Every time I come back, I feel the love from the teachers.”
Morris, known for his time as the University of Miami’s starting quarterback from 2012 to 2014, agreed with Van Dyke, saying “Pace is home. I love coming back here all the time.”
Morris credits Pace and its guidance counselors for helping him succeed, develop morals, and become a better leader. “The best thing about Pace is that it is a family,” he said. “You develop a family connections with people here and you keep those connections.”