Did Uncle Rico have a shot at the NFL?

So you think you could have been state champ too, huh? 

Well so does one of our favourite on screen uncles, Mr. Rico Dynamite, ladies and gentlemen.

But what would have happened if coach did put in Uncle Rico during the fourth quarter in 1982 during the state championship? Would he have made the NFL? Well, let’s talk it through. 

“How much you wanna make a bet I can throw a football over them mountains?”

If you recall one of the best moments from the film, Uncle Rico decides to pick up Kip’s untouched steak and side tosses the teak straight into Napoleon's face. Yeah you laughed, maybe felt bad for Napoleon, but you have to admit the target was right there and Uncle Rico nailed it. 

 Now, how about those mountains? He was able to convince Kip that he can in fact toss the ball over them just like how he could toss a pigskin back in the day. Now, how far exactly are those mountains? 

It’s estimated to be at least a quarter mile or 40km, or at least that’s how far he said he could toss a pig skin back in high school. Do you even realize how many football fields that is? Four and 40 yards. With these stats, Rico is giving Payton Manning a run for his money and would be sitting on a pretty list amongst the top quarterbacks who have passed for 400 or more yards in a single game. That is if his claims line up and he keeps up his skills each game.

“Hey you guys wanna see my video?”

Grab a tall glass of milk and a quesadilla and let’s discuss Uncle Rico’s highlight reel. Okay lots to take in here like the laundry line behind him and the green rug on top of the grass, but one thing we can see that sticks out for Rico is his sidearm mechanics. Strange, very strange but it’s not to say his technique is flawed. 

There have been a number of quarterbacks to make the NFL who also inherit this kind of style. Phillip Rivers, have ya ever fudgin’ heard of him? Sure it’s unorthodox and may make the offensive coordinator’s job harder by having to deal with a constant side arm but at least there’s potential there.

“Why the heck you throwin’ crap at my van, Napoleon?!” 

Our last point isn’t exactly a valid argument on his playing ability, but Uncle Rico thrives on the road life. Traveling to games wouldn’t be an issue for Uncle Rico because with his trusty Dodge Santana van, our guy is also living the good life. He’s giving us the full Gardner Minshew, Daniel Norris road trip vibes that we absolutely love. That has to account for at least something right?

The Verdict

Sure, having an Uncle Rico on the team may not only bring some developmental talent and even some leadership given his strong salesmen skills. But we’re not 100% sold on him yet. We think Uncle Rico would definitely need to head out to an open tryout and would possibly have a shot at being a walk on. But to think Uncle Rico could have been the next Russell Wilson or Cam Newton and have a shot at one of the best rookie QB seasons may be a bit of a stretch in our eyes. We just hope he would one day get to soak it all up in a hot tub with his soulmate.