From getting asked to play JV as an 11th grader to wearing an NFL uniform. Now that is a path you don’t often see in the NFL.
From a walk-on at Hofstra University that hails from Holbrook, NY to the Kansas City Chiefs sidelines.
That is precisely the obstacles that were placed in front of 2003 Sachem grad Chris Manno, who is the owner of the ‘1MR’ (1 More Rep) Athletics & Fitness in Farmingdale, NY.
Manno, 33, comes from an admittedly humbled upbringing in which his mother worked overnights as a nurse to help raise he and his sister once his father was no longer able to work.
“My mother is everything,” he said. “That’s why I work the way I do–I want to make the next chapter of her life better,” he added.
Manno noted that baseball was his first love growing up.
He was a shortstop that wore No. 2 as many young ballplayers from New York did during the Derek Jeter era in the Bronx.
“I loved the way he carried himself and rose to the occasion every time.”
It wasn’t until 11th grade did he begin playing football, at a Sachem program historically known for its football prowess under Fred Fusaro, who had been Head Coach since 1971.
Being that he got a late start to his football career, Coach Fusaro asked Manno if he’d be willing to spend 11th grade on JV.
“Absolutely not, I told him.”
He used that as motivation to work harder and become an impact player at the varsity level, which he did. After improving across the board and having a solid high school career he dreamed of playing at the college level.
“I mentioned to my coaches that I wanted to play in college and two of them literally laughed at me. Coach Fusaro looked at me and said ‘as long as you promise to work hard I’ll make the call for you,” he said.
Coach Fusaro went out on a limb for the undersized receiver and got him a spot as a walk-on at Hofstra University.
“That was extra reason to push myself–that was motivation.”
It was around that time he studied as much as he could and became a student of the game. With the obvious similarities and rooting interest, he took a liking to New York Jets’ WR Wayne Chrebet. He also enjoyed watching All-Pro receivers Marvin Harrison and Chad Johnson.
After two years of grinding, he received great news.
“On my birthday, I got the news that I would be a scholarship player. I called my family and that was amazing. Later that week I caught my first touchdown against Stony Brook so it was pretty incredible,” he added.
Despite the turning point in his career, obstacles remained. He was primarily a special teams player and was not the caliber of player such as Marques Colston, Willie Colon and Chrebet, who had previously made it to the NFL out of Hofstra.
“I had this unrealistic belief that I would continue to play after college,” he said.
That limitless self-esteem prompted him to tryout for the New Jersey Revolution of the Arena Football League. He transformed himself into a big-time playmaker, leading the team in receiving. He used that film and experience to continue his career and take a shot at the NFL.
His next move was to Florida to train at IMG Academy.
There came his next big break.
While down there, he met former Jets QB Vinny Testaverde who was very impressed with his work ethic and talent. He also worked out 4-5 hours per day with future MVP and Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton and Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson, who eventually won a Super Bowl.
After a phone call from Testaverde to the Kansas City Chiefs, he got a tryout which resulted in signing a deal.
While the time was short-lived, he earned something that nobody can take away and proved that despite being given next to no shot at even playing in college, he was able to don an NFL uniform for preseason.
After suffering a fractured fibula and professional football no longer an option, he pursued a career in Sports Performance.
“Being around the IMG Academy allowed me to have a good eye for things and I wanted to fix things in athletes that I saw,” he said.
While working with FC Barcelona’s Youth Speed Academy, he realized he wanted to be a business owner and have his own facility.
“Fortunately I got a great opportunity here with Joe {Palumbo} and they’ve given me every opportunity to succeed. The toughest part about having a facility is filling it up but fortunately that hasn’t been a problem yet,” he added.
