Reading’s Perillo not alone in passion
Dad, grandfather big influences
After enduring one of the most heartbreaking defeats this football season in front of a crowd of family members, Reading lineman Tyler Perillo was in agony.
The Rockets took a late lead with 23 seconds to go in a sectional semifinal, only for Lincoln-Sudbury to steal a 34-30 win with an 80-yard touchdown pass. As the players came off the field, Tyler’s father, Rich Perillo, met him with a big embrace. But an emotional Tyler had to quickly make his way to the team bus.
The loss was that tough. And yet, something else came to Tyler’s mind when he got home.
“When (Tyler) got home, the first thing he said was, ‘I should have given Grandpa a hug. I didn’t give Grandpa a hug,’” Rich said. “It’s that kind of emotional attachment that we’ve all shared. I was the same with my grandfather. It’s always been that way.”
Through three generations, the Perillos have a vast football history together.
Tyler’s grandfather, Al, is in his 45th year involved with Pop Warner football, and has spent the past 22 as New England’s regional director. Rich and his brother Paul played for Al on the Everett Pop Warner team (Huskies), played in high school, and Rich coached Tyler in Pop Warner until he entered the high school program.
All Tyler has known is Al, Rich and other family members heavily involved in his athletic pursuits. They all talk football, among other things, when they get together. Al and Rich offer football advice to Tyler, making sure to also stay out of the way of Reading head coach John Fiore. And Tyler, striving to play college football, has absorbed everything those two have to offer.
From the days of playing Pop Warner, Rich said Tyler always wanted the blunt truth, and he never had a problem getting his son to work on improving. Not once did Tyler receive special treatment, as Rich says he’s had to work harder than most for everything. That translated to Tyler’s success on the high school team, and eventually, he was named a captain.
“(Al and Rich have been) a big influence,” Tyler said. “They’ve shaped me into who I am. They taught me how to work hard through football. … It’s awesome to come home and be able to talk play-by-play. It’s like they were on the field playing, or coaching me.”
Sure, the football roots dig deep. But the familial lessons and memories dig deeper.
Rich said he can count how many times on one hand his father, mother or grandfather ever missed one of his games, and the same can be said for Tyler. Al, whose regional director duties bring him to Florida for the Pop Warner championships around this time of year, was even prepared to fly back to the area for a day if Reading reached the Super Bowl.
Most families can connect with a professional team. The Perillos connected through Pop Warner. Even Rich’s mother and sister were involved through cheerleading, as was Tyler’s sister. In fact, Al, Rich and Tyler’s favorite football memory is from the 2014 season, where all three still remember specific plays that led to a championship. Al loves what the program has done for his children and grandchildren, even more so because of academic requirements.
“That’s what really impressed me more than anything,” Al said. “And I’ve enjoyed it.”
It’s built a foundation of hard work. It’s helped teach how to rebound when things get tough. And most importantly, it’s been a major outlet for this family to come together.