DHS quarterback Patrick Rosetti named 2021 Michael H. Savage Spirit of Sport Winner, CIAC Sports Reports

Story by John Holt, ciacsports.com

Patrick Rosetti, a senior quarterback on the Danbury High School football team, has been chosen as the 2021 Michael H. Savage Spirit of Sport Award honoree. He becomes the 12th recipient of this distinguished yearly award, and as Connecticut’s selection he will go forward as a nominee for the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Section and National Spirit of Sport Award.

Rosetti is a true scholar athlete who has been a leader within the Danbury football program while contending with a severe speech impediment. Rosetti shares that, “Football has been my escape from my speech impediment since I was in elementary school playing games at lunch. Off the field, I feel very vulnerable socially because of the embarrassment that I go through with my stutter.

On the field however, I’m just playing the game I love. It is a distraction from my reality off the field with my mentally-tiring speech impediment.”

Danbury High School Head Football Coach Augie Tieri says, “I’m beyond proud of Patrick. Not only did he overcome his speech impediment to excel on the field at QB, but he has also maintained a 4.5 weighted GPA in school while taking all Honors and AP Courses, and achieved a 1330 on his SAT. Patrick’s legacy and story will serve as an inspiration to all that follow.”

Danbury High School Athletics Director Chip Salvestrini shares Coach Tieri’s admiration, “Patrick Rosetti is a very impressive young man. He fosters superior leadership skills and an uncanny ability to perform at a high level as a high school quarterback, a perseverance and courage that brings a positive spirit and a strong-willed determination that no disability will ever stand in his way. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have had the opportunity over the last 4 years to watch Patrick grow into the young man who stands tall as the 2021 Michael H. Savage Spirit of Sport Award winner.”

The Michael H. Savage Spirit of Sport Award seeks to recognize individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics.