An Interview with Eaton’s own 96
by Adam Schott Sports Editor
Around this time of year family and friends take time out to gather round for some high quality tailgating cuisine, hard hitting pigskin action, and loads of gut busting commercials while watching the Super Bowl.
However, EHS graduate Mitch Unrein won’t be involved in any of these affairs for one simple reason–he’ll be playing in the Super Bowl.
For many folks in the town of Eaton, and all of Colorado for that matter, number 96 has become the center of attention. For quite some time the talk has been about Unrein’s being a Colorado native and making it into the NFL, but now he has reached the pinnacle game of a football player’s career. As he prepares to take the field in New York on Sunday, Feb. 2 Unrein said, “For my friends and family to watch is amazing and all the people in my life make it a dream come true.”
From humble beginnings to a professional career in the NFL, Unrein has undertaken a journey of hard work to seize opportunities that most people never see. Unrein said that he really enjoyed the small town atmosphere of living in Eaton. Growing up the youngest of six children, two sisters and three brothers, Unrein saw many sibling athletic careers blossom in Eaton. This would account for his brothers Mark and Michael who played college football at UNC, and his sister who was a three-time All American swimmer at UNC. Up into his middle school days, Unrein was always involved in sports Unrein said. Playing football and wrestling was very important to him and a big part of his life. Once Unrein entered his freshman year, the ball was now rolling and the next four years would be all Unrein’s.
Unfortunately though, Unrein said, he was not as big and hadn’t quite matured enough his freshman and part of his sophomore year. In fact, during his freshman wrestling season Unrein weighed in at 128 lbs. and had to wrestle up at 135 which is the lowest class. This was still a time for Unrein to wait for a growth spurt. Unrein had some struggles during that time and looking back on it “I would say be more outgoing and don’t care about what people think; follow what you think you need to and make yourself happy for yourself, not for others.”
Fortunately for Unrein, his time came when he really started to hit his growth spurt in his junior and senior year. Unrein was now starting for the Reds at linebacker wearing number 10 and ready to make a statement. This growth spurt and stellar junior season in football propelled him into wrestling both that year, and his senior year. It was his senior season though that he captured lots of attention in football and wrestling. He was credited with 125 total tackles and four quarterback sacks in only six and one-half football games, missing part of his senior season due to injury. Unrein also said he was able to capture the honors of two-time all-state in football once his time was don.
The icing on the cake, however, Unrein said was when he captured the state championship competing at a weight of 215. Unrein said he was coming into his own and he worked his tail off. Unrein graduated in 2005.
As far as recruiting goes, Unrein said he always had the intention of playing in state at a division 1 school such as the University of Colorado and Colorado State. “I knew I wanted to play in Colorado,” Unrein said, “try to go big or go home.” However, Unrein’s mindset wasn’t clear until he was noticed by the University of Wyoming. It was in Wyoming that Unrein had family ties and was really given a chance to excel. Unrein said he made up his mind to play for UW as a walk-on since he wasn’t being heavily recruited in-state.
Unrein said he was a little disappointed about not having a solid scholarship, but he was later given the opportunity–redshirting his freshman year, and working his way up the ladder. Unrein said he played a good amount as a redshirt freshman, and started the next three years. While at UW, Unrein received a three-time honorable mention for the Mountain West Conference, senior D-Lineman of the year, and the 2009 defensive MVP of the New Mexico Bowl. In the New Mexico Bowl Unrein made a statement against Fresno St. and its running back, Ryan Mathews, who was one of the leading rushers in the nation. Unrein helped take UW to a double overtime victory with six tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Unrein made mention that in some games in the season he didn’t have good statistical games, but had great pressure and defensive prowess. Funny enough, the guys who had originally been recruited by UW were now playing under Unrein who had worked his tail off in order to play he said. Unrein also jokingly said, “Taking the scholarships over the others who had been recruited over me, it puts a feather in your cap knowing you started and out-worked others.”
When Unrein graduated from UW in 2009, his eyes were set on the NFL and he went to the Texans for training camp. That didn’t work out so well Unrein said, and he ended up back at home for six weeks. During that time his agent made sure to tell him to stay in shape for the opportunity. While staying at home, Unrein worked for a sewer company by the name of BES Pipeline until he got a crucial call. Unrein said, “One morning I got a call from my agent that the Denver Broncos wanted me, I had two hours to get ready to get my physical.” To say the least, Unrein jumped on that call and the rest has been Bronco history for the past four years.
As Unrein prepares with the team for this upcoming Super Bowl, he said a lot of things have been running through his mind. With such a sweet win at the AFC championship against the Patriots, the bar has been set. Unrein said, “You couldn’t have scripted a better setup for revenge on them–Glad to beat em’ when it counted.” Now with that win behind them, Unrein said he and his teammates have their minds focused on getting that ring they have been fighting for all season. Besides the rings though, Mitch said that he has made unforgettable memories and built relationships that will last a lifetime. “Every guy has his own different life, but it’s like a brotherhood” Mitch said, “You go through so much; it’s definitely those experiences together that will last.”
Playing with quarterback Peyton Manning has been an amazing experience as well Unrein said. “It’s remarkable, seeing the leader putting all the time into doing everything he can, really putting his best foot forward when on the field.” Manning’s effort bleeds into the success that the team has had and everything in between. As far as being ready to go for the game Unrein said, ““I’m confident in what we can do. Our Defense is starting to get rolling.” Unrein said, “Ranked 26 out of 32, these last couple of games we played the football we know we’re capable of playing.”
With all of Eaton watching Unrein said that he is absolutely proud and blessed to be a part of everything that has transpired. When living in a small town like Eaton, sometimes it’s hard to get the full opportunities. So much about sports becomes bigger and faster, especially from college to pros. Unrein said, “Game’s faster, guys are bigger, guys trying to build a family. I would say college to NFL is five times a bigger gap than high school to college.”
Unrein, however, despite all the odds, has bridged that gap–and then some–and this Sunday all of Eaton will be watching one of their greatest pride and joys, number 96, Mitch Unrein, united in orange.