NFL sports agent Sean Stellato has never backed down from a challenge. Once told “skinny kids don’t make it in a sports full of giants,” he defied the naysayers to become a star quarterback at Salem High School during a tumultuous time in the town’s history. After standing on the sidelines as a sophomore and watching his beloved team suffer a crushing defeat, he bravely told revered coach Ken Perrone that if he believed in him and started him as quarterback the next season, he’d lead the Salem Witches to the Super Bowl. He did, despite the perfect storm of political, legal, and personal turmoil that surrounded his team when a contentious teacher’s strike almost put an end to Salem’s legendary season.

 

Stellato tells the remarkable story of this modern-day hysteria in Salem and the diverse group of underdogs, their almost insurmountable personal struggles, and how they banded together to take on the school administration and the courts to achieve victory in No Backing Down: The Inspirational Story of the 1994 Salem High Football Team. Chronicling the 11-day strike that began on Halloween in 1994 and the e vents that happened afterwards, the book lays out the battles on and off the field, highlighting Coach Perrone’s controversial decision to continue to coach the team despite a cease and desist order. While in the end, Perrone’s union approved his decision; the school district’s superintendent didn’t. Fulfilling a personal vendetta against the coach, he delivered the final blow that ended his successful 22-year coaching season at Salem High. But for Stellato and the team, it was the ultimate show of loyalty and commitment. Uniting with Coach Perrone, they went on to achieve high school football immortality and together, they set a new tone for social and political discourse in the city of Salem.

 

With a foreword by former NFL and CFL star Doug Flutie, and endorsements from 1980 Olympic hero Mike Eruzione, NFL future Hall of Famer Mark Bavaro, famed NFL coach Mike Ditka, and boxing legend Evander Holyfield, No Backing Down strikes right at the heart of anyone who ever played a sport or believed in a team.  Stellato carried the valuable lessons he learned about perseverance and standing tall against adversity to guide him beyond high school. He went on to play football at Marist College, become a Division 1 dual athlete, and excelled in the classroom, making the dean's list nine consecutive semesters, the Communications National Honor Society and selected to the MAAC All-‐Academic Team for both football and basketball for his contributions on the playing fields.

 

He eventually played several seasons in the Arena Football League and today serves as an NFL sports agent and founder of Stellato Sports.  Known for his dogged determination and unparalled work ethic, Stellato has negotiated multi-million dollar player contracts for a host of NFL stars including Joe Vellano of the New England Patriots, Alfred Morris (Dallas Cowboys), Shaun Draughn (San Francisco 49ers), Ryan Allen (New England Patriots), Bryan Braman (Philadelphia Eagles), Tye Smith (Seattle Seahwaks) and Ryan Delaire (Carolina Panthers).

 

He has also negotiated endorsement deals with NBC Sports, Rolex, Smoothie King, Dick's Sporting Goods, Mercedes-‐Benz, BMW, and Harley Davidson Truck. He takes particular pride in his membership in the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the Salem High School Hall of Fame. As founder of the All-American Fundamental Showcase, he helps pave a smoother path for the next generation of athletes by providing a skills tutorial for high school athletes looking to demonstrate their talent to local and national institutions.

 

He is also the author of 4th and Long: The Odds that chronicles his personal journey in life and sports. Ultimately, Stellato’s story and those of his fellow team members, Coach Perrone, and the cast of characters during that historic Salem season is one of triumph – of overcoming the impossible on the road to victory. A charismatic and engaging speaker, Stellato stresses that greatness is shaped in times of adversity and his words will strike a cord with anyone who has struggled to find their path in education, society, and in life.