(S3) - PT #2 - Lucky Charms

[ralz9]

Nicholas Pierno has had the same tradition since playing high school ball in North Carolina. The morning of every game, it’s a McGriddle and hashbrowns from McDonald’s.

“I won’t lie, I normally can’t stand McDonald’s,” Pierno said, “but the breakfast is so, so, so good. It really does fuel me.

He chuckled: “This isn’t an ad, though, unless McDonald’s wants to cut the check.”

Before each game, he takes a warm shower to loosen up, listens to music in the locker room—his phone on airplane mode to avoid distractions—and does his handshake with Jaquan Young, a fellow rookie wide receiver that plays in Colorado as well.

Before stepping onto the field, Pierno laces up his cleats all the way, unties them all the way, and then ties them back up again before the studs make contact with the turf.

When he returns to the lockerroom to suit up for game play, the last step is putting on the signature eyeblack he wears during every game—a “7” beneath each eye.

“I’m not a huge guy, so I’ll take any chance I can take to look a little more intimidating,” Pierno chuckled.

Then is game time. In high school and college, Pierno carried the North Carolina state flag as the team came out of the tunnel. Now, he carries the Colorado flag with pride.