One might expect Heron Azevedo to be a little unhappy.

He left his family in Brazil at the invitation of head coach Mike Darr to play football for DVC, but ended up warming the bench all season.

Instead of playing wide receiver, as he’d hoped, Azeveo got only limited playing time on special teams.

Still, Azevedo’s positive attitude is the first thing his teammates and coaches mention. 

“He’s probably one of my favorite players on the team,” quarterback Blake Wayne said. “He’s always in the best mood, and he’s a very hard worker.”

Offensive coordinator Ryan Byrnes added, “He’s more positive than a lot of people I’ve met, and anyone who comes all the way from Brazil to basically sit on the bench and do some special teams stuff is someone you want on the team.”

Azevedo, 24, only started playing football in 2004. 

“I’ve liked football all my life,” he said, “but I never knew where I could play in Brazil.” 

After sending coach Darr a video of himself playing as a wide receiver without padding on a beach in Brazil, Azevedo was offered a spot on the team. 

He is the only international student on the Vikings’ current roster.  It was difficult, he said, to make the transition from playing football in Brazil to playing in the United States.  

“I had to learn a lot,” he said, “but the guys over here and the coaches made it easier.”

A kinesiology major, Azevedo is considering Fresno State as a transfer school after next year, and is looking forward to another season with the Vikings. 

“I’m very excited to play next season,” Azevedo said, “and maybe having an opportunity to play on offense and learning a lot more.”