By Dan Murphy
Here’s another reason for Westchester to root for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccanneers in Super Bowl 55 next Sunday February 7. Hastings native Ali Marpet is the left guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After playing high school football for Hasting High School, not known for its football program, he attended Hobart College in upstate New York.
He gained 70 pounds and became a standout player and NFL prospect.
In 2015 he was invited to the Senior bow, where he drew the attention of several NFL teams. In the NFL draft Tampa Bay traded up to pick him hin the 2nd round. He was the first Division III player selected in the second round. Marpet immediately became a starter and played right guard, center, and left guard.
In 2018, before Brady joined the team, Marpet signed a 5 year contract extension for $54.125 million, making him one of the highest-paid left guards in the league.
The team said Marpet has a combination of physicality, versatility, consistency, intelligence and communication skills.“It feels really good knowing that I’ve proven myself in the NFL,” said Marpet, who now stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 307 pounds.
“It’s a difficult thing to do, especially coming from a Division III school. I’m always happy to represent Division III players everywhere. It’s possible for them to succeed at the next level.”
Marpet was excited when Tom Brady agreed to sign with the Bucs, but protecitng the GOAT Quarterback isn’t really different from protecting Tampa Bay’s other Quarterbacks. “I’m blocking my dude for as long as I possibly can. Hopefully, the quarterback gets it out on time, and hopefully my guy’s not making a play.”
This is Marpet’s first trip to the playoffs and the Super Bowl. “The excitement is there,” Marpet said. “I’m fired up to be playing with someone who has had so much success in the NFL. I think we all are, and to learn an approach to the game that we all hope can change the way we really take on each team.”
Marpet has been rated as one of the top offenseive guards in the NFL over the past six seasons, and is an offenseive team captain. “For me, it’s always been how can I hold up the longest and how can I win my block for as long as I can?”
Earlier this season, Marpet was out for two games with a concussion.
