Nick Laporte has never backed down from a challenge and now at 33 years of age, he is proving you are never too old to chase your dream.
Laporte played minor pro hockey in the U.S. and Czechia after playing junior 'A' locally with the North Bay Skyhawks and North Bay Jr. Trappers,
He traded in his skates for cleats back in 2016.
In 2019, he competed at the Canadian National Track & Field meet as a sprinter and with the help of former Olympian Ben Johnson, was hoping to make it to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo which was pushed back to 2021 due to the pandemic.
However, Laporte says injuries caused that dream to fade.
"Due to stress fractures in both legs I was sidelined most of the season, but I decided I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to run at Nationals," recalled Laporte via social media.
"I didn’t compete again after that."
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In 2022, Laporte took that speed onto the football field and had a successful rookie season as a wide receiver with the North Bay Bulldogs of the Northern Football Conference senior football team where he led the league in touchdowns, receiving yards and receptions.
"My teammates taught me how to become a legitimate receiver," he said.
"I’ve spent over a decade emulating what the pros do to keep myself ready for an opportunity. I will sign a pro contract this year, I will be a pro athlete again."
Laporte made that comment earlier this summer and today the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League offered him a roster spot.
"The Sharks have offered a contract to another Winter Tryout Athlete, Nick Laporte is a 6'6 WR/LB from Ontario, Canada he was invited to compete in our winter tryout and has officially signed with the Sharks this week," the Sharks stated via social media on Thursday.
"Thank you Coach Gibson and the Sharks organization for taking a chance on me," Laporte stated.
"You will not regret it. This journey started 985 days ago when I had my first football workout. I wouldn’t have gotten this opportunity without the support of the North Bay Bulldogs organization, coaching staff, volunteers and all of the players that put the work in with me day after day. I appreciate all of you and will do my absolute best to help the Jacksonville Sharks win a championship in 2023."
Laporte will join the Sharks at training camp which begins on April 1.
The NAL is a six-team arena football league that is made up of teams based on the east coast of the United States.
"We are only here on earth for a short time," said Laporte about chasing the opportunity.
"Why wouldn’t you go after what makes you happy?"
