At only 19 years of age, Dominic Coffman is one of the youngest Americans to ever play football in Spain. Less than a year ago, Coffman was playing in the Earl Barden Classic, which is a High School All-Star game in the State of Washington.
“One of the most memorable moments that I have had playing this amazing sport was last summer in June at the Earl Barden Classic. It was a week’s worth of experience that I will never forget.”
Domic was kind enough to share his story with me, and it’s a great one that only he can tell.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
I was born In Spokane, Washington where I then moved to Whidbey Island, about a 2 hour drive from Seattle. I lived in a small town called Coupeville, I lived there my whole life up to this point.
I started playing football at 6 years old because my mom and dad forced me to try something new so I gave football a shot. I hated it at first, but after a while I loved it and I couldn't stop loving it. Once I got to high school, it took some time until I was able to play, and I started to lose the love that I had for the game.
However, one of the people who sparked my drive and interest in the game again was one of my teammates. His name is Sean Tooomy-stout. He was a walk-on for the University of Washington. He comes from the same small school and small town as I did, so being able to play with him was a huge spark for me. And to see the way the town praised him and supported him was something I always dreamt of. Sean was also my influence as well as my best friend, Tim, whom I have been playing football my whole life with. He always pushed me to keep working hard mentally and physically. Really without Tim, I wouldn’t be as far as I am now.
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
In high school my junior year I got to play a lot. I started both ways on offense and defense. I was one of the leaders of the team in tackles with 65 tackles. And 3 interceptions. I was named first-team defense. Then on the other side of the ball, I was one of the leading rushers with 362 yards and 6 touchdowns. I was named first-team offense. Then in my senior year, I was named captain. I ended the season with 80 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 sacks. I got first-team defense again for the second time in a row. Then on offense, I ended the season with 820 yards and 17 touchdowns. I got my league offensive MVP and was nominated for the all-star game. In one of my biggest games my senior year I had 4 touchdowns down and 1 interception. I got the Washington Player of the Week award after that game. Now I am in my school’s sports Hall of Fame. With where I am now I couldn’t have done it without my amazing coach Bennett Richter.
CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY
I found out I was adopted. I was born into a pretty bad home and needed to get out of there. My mom and dad took me in and never looked back, they truly are my heroes. Finding out you’re adopted can be hard sometimes, but I knew that my past doesn’t affect me now and that I could use the anger I have towards my biological parents in football.
I think that my hardest moment was being so mad at the people who hurt me from the beginning, that I was mad at the people who saved me from them.
MORE THAN FOOTBALL
I have gotten into photography lately. I’m really bad at it, but I feel at peace when I’m taking photos. I plug in my air pods and just walk around looking for things to take pictures of. I also enjoy trying new things to do, and in Spain there is always something to go out there and do. I start college here in Madrid in March where I’ll be studying business and finance, and I’ll specialize as an athletic director.
PLAYING STYLE
My style of football is to run through you as a running back. I know I’ll hardly lose a one-on-one with the ball in my hand, I rarely lose yards, and when I do I’ll get those yards right back the next time around. I have been told I remind people of Marshawn Lynch from the way I play on offense as a running back. On defense, I tend to play more calmly but I always want to make the hard hit or big play. I’m not easy to block, especially at full speed. At home I have inspired kids to not be afraid to hit or run hard. I have been told by a few freshmen I have been their idol and they want to play like me. I know I have changed the way football is played back in my hometown.
CURRENT ROLE AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
At this time with the team, I’m everywhere, and I am grateful for it. I love being able to play offense and defense when I’m needed. It's something I know I have been able to do my whole life even outside of football. In the future I'll be on both sides of the ball a lot more I believe. I know I can play both sides just need to get my chance.
I see my role evolving as I get older, the more teams see me out there, the more they plan on attacking me which will open up my teammates for bigger plays. My goal is to know the playbook fully from the inside out. Once I know the plays I’ll get in more and more, and that’s another goal is to get more reps on offense. It will come to me once I show that I’m ready for it.
My experience playing with the black demons so far has been outstanding, every single one of these guys brought me in with open arms, and even though I’m the youngest on the team at 19 years they have been treating me with the utmost respect and I couldn’t ask for a better team. This team is a giant family and you can see that from afar.
Another goal for me is to get my team’s trust. Something that every new player needs to have is their team’s trust, and I think I’m doing pretty well at that. My end goal is I want to play for the Madrid Bravos someday. As a little kid, I always wanted to be in the NFL but that is not going to happen. I do have a chance however to play in the ELF and that is something I’m going to work hard for.
REFLECTION
I believe I have just begun the start of my football career, but I know the marks that I left back at home will always be there for future football stars to build off of. When it comes to my legacy I’m starting a new one in Spain. But my legacy back at home is one that I hope will be used to teach kids of all ages that you can start from a small town and still follow your dreams. It is too early for me to say that I have a legacy in Spain. But I hope one day I do.
A quote that has helped me through this whole journey is something I wrote to myself back in elementary school “Never give up, never, never give up '' I wrote this to myself in hopes one day I will make it big, which I did make it big. I know my young self would be smiling ear to ear if he could see us now.
CONCLUSION
Coffman's journey from the Earl Barden Classic to playing football in Spain exemplifies resilience, determination, and a love for the game. His impressive high school achievements and personal hardships have molded him into a versatile player with a promising future. As he embarks on his college studies and continues to excel on the gridiron with the Black Demons, Coffman's commitment to the sport and his team's trust bode well for his evolution as a player. With aspirations to play for the Madrid Bravos and in the ELF, Coffman's dedication and talent suggest a bright future ahead, where he will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on Spanish football.
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