Cortland’s starting quarterback is going through his progressions. He’s consistent. He’s dynamic. He’s precise. You sort of have to be, when you’re named after a Hall of Fame quarterback.
“Drew Brees was playing at Purdue University, and (my mom) was in the hospital about to have me. My mom signed to my dad, because both of my parents are hearing impaired, ‘What about Brees?'” Brees Segala, Cortland Senior QB, said.
So naturally, Segala wore number nine.
“It’s funny because in high school, I wore number nine, and everybody is like, ‘That’s because Drew Brees wore it.’ No, it’s because my brother wore number nine,” Segala says.
He always wanted to be like his big brother, so he followed him to Cortland.
“He was more of a natural quarterback, like a gunslinger,” Segala says.
That gunslingers first name is Brett, named after Brett Favre. He set Red Dragons records in passing yards, touchdown passes and completions. His view during games now is a little different.
“He actually, during the game, is up in the box, so I see his pre-game. He pumps me up, ‘Let’s go,’ sees me after the game, ‘great job!’” Segala said.
Brett Segala is watching and assisting as his baby brother carries the torch.
Brett Segala said, “The profession of college football in coaching, sometimes you’re not going to coach the position you played, but you get an opportunity. That’s all you can ask for. I had a lot of blood, sweat and tears with a lot of the guys on this team. We spent a lot of time together with a lot of my teammates. I’m just thankful to be back.”
The brothers were teammates for two years.
“It’s been very cool for me just to sit back and watch his growth since he got here his freshman year,” Brett Segala said.
Brees Segala said, “We’ve been together our whole life. Playing with each other and doing things like that, but like having him as a coach verse player, it’s, like, yeah, getting all juiced up, ya know? As a coach, it’s more like level-headed. He comes up to me, he’s like, ‘Lets go, love ya bro, let’s rock and roll.’”
“What I just do every game, I go up to him, I tell him I love him. I tell him to play hard, play fast and play his game,” Brett Segala said.
For these brothers, it’s a game that has been even more fun with family.
