When life knocked him down, Thomas J. Aparicio got back up, again and again. The Mission High School senior running back is more than just an exceptional athlete, he is a living testament of perseverance and he embodies the spirit of rising above adversity with grace and determination.
Eagles’ Head Coach Daniel Longoria spoke highly of his star athlete, saying, “What a blessing it is to coach a person like Thomas Aparicio. I’m very appreciative, and it brings me joy to coach a kid like him.”
Aparicio’s journey has been anything but easy. His resilience was molded through years of hardships and setbacks, beginning with life-altering challenges at a young age. These challenges could have derailed not only his athletic career but his spirit as well. Instead, they fueled him to become one of the brightest stars in the Rio Grande Valley.
The foundation of Aparicio’s perseverance was laid in fourth grade when his father, Bob Aparicio, suffered a debilitating stroke. Bob, who had been Mission High School’s athletic trainer, became a source of inspiration for Thomas. Watching his father fight to recover instilled in him values that would guide his life.
Reflecting on that time, Aparicio told Progress Times, “It had a huge impact at the time. It took a toll on our family. At the time, my brother was in school and he had to drop out to help us at the house. Even though my dad suffered that injury, he is still my father. At the end of the day, he is still a great father figure. We put our faith in the Lord, and he guided us down the right path.”
Thomas explained how his father’s mantra shaped his outlook, “When my dad was working, he lived by this code: Adapt, adjust, and overcome. Those were the three words that we live by in this household. We adapted to the situation, we adjusted to the situation, and we overcame it. That’s something that, throughout my career, I’ve lived by.”
The challenges didn’t stop there. Aparicio faced his first major physical setback in sixth grade, suffering a broken collarbone during an elementary basketball tournament. This marked the beginning of a series of injuries that would put his will to the test.
Aparicio spoke about his experience with injuries during his middle school years, “At that time, I was too in love with the game of football. I decided to keep playing through a football injury; I’ll get it fixed after. Well, the Lord had other things in mind, and he gave me that big injury. That injury caused me to take a step back on my path. Thankfully, I was able to bounce right back.”
Each injury brought difficult conversations within the Aparicio household. “After facing multiple injuries, we asked ourselves this question: Should we step away early before it got too serious?”
The answer: “At the end of the day, I still loved this game. I still wanted to play this game throughout high school. Thankfully, my parents agreed with me. They told me that I would have to put in a lot of work.”
The setbacks continued into high school. As a freshman, Aparicio faced yet another major injury: a broken collarbone that ended his season early. This injury led his parents to give him a critical choice. “That’s where my parents did give their final stand. We had to decide what to do now. They told me I could be a basketball player, a track athlete, and that I didn’t have to pursue my passion for football anymore. But I fell in love with this game at a young age. I wanted to keep playing.”
His parents supported his decision but made it clear that he needed to prioritize his health. “They made sure I took care of my body week-in and week-out. Throughout the offseason, preseason, and during the season, they made sure I recovered and that I was fine. They helped me protect my body for the rest of the three years.”
Despite these setbacks, Aparicio’s dedication and resilience rose above. During his sophomore year, he was moved up to the varsity team midseason to play linebacker, earning him the 31-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year award.
“Coach Longoria worked with our defensive coordinator at the time. They discussed that year that we needed the best athletes on the field at all times. Coach came up to me and said, ‘Son, I’m going to need you to go play some defense.’ I didn’t argue with him. I nodded my head and asked him: Which position?”
By his junior year, he transitioned to running back, rushing for 1,334 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns that season. His efforts propelled the Eagles to a playoff appearance. His senior year was just as remarkable, with over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping the Eagles secure yet another playoff berth.
For his three-year career as a high school running back for the Eagles, Aparicio accumulated 2,216 rushing yards, 611 receiving yards, and 31 total touchdowns. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry and 92.3 yards per game running while averaging 14.5 yards per reception and 25.5 receiving yards per game.
Off the field, Aparicio’s determination has been just as impressive. With a 97.7 GPA and a current class ranking of fifth, he exemplifies the balance of academic and athletic excellence. “This program is built around academics. Coach Longoria always tells us to pursue academics first. We’re students first. He always wants us to perform well in our classrooms, and he’s always on top of us for our grades. ACT, SAT, TSI, anything.”
Aparicio credits Coach Longoria’s emphasis on leading by example for shaping his approach. “Don’t be the voice that can’t follow through. That’s one thing I never took for granted. If he needs us to lead by example, then we’re going to lead by example.”
Looking ahead, Aparicio hopes to continue his football journey in college. “If any offers come up, I hope I can pursue a career in football. If I can’t, growing up with a lot of injuries, I want to get into the medical field. kinesiology.”
Aparicio continued, “When you’re surrounded by medical professionals that are good at their job, you really start becoming interested in that field. That’s one thing that I experienced early on. When I was a freshman and I broke my collarbone, I was surrounded by good people and I was already thinking about pursuing that career. It was a blessing in disguise. You have to learn how to look at things in a different view, because not all things are bad.”
Thomas J. Aparicio’s story is one of perseverance, grit, and determination. From overcoming injuries and family hardships to excelling in academics and leading his team to success, he has proven time and time again that resilience can turn adversity into triumph.
“Everyone is going through their own battles, no matter the age they are. Whether it be internal or external. If you’re able to put your head down and work, hard work will never fail you. Surround yourself with good people. If you surround yourself with good people, then you become a part of the good people.” He concluded, “Raise each other up.”
As Aparicio prepares for the next chapter of his academic, and possibly athletic, life, his legacy of determination and leadership will continue to inspire his teammates and his community. His journey serves as a reminder that resilience and hard work can overcome even the most daunting challenges. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or in life, Aparicio’s story demonstrates the power of perseverance and the impact of lifting others up along the way.