Vegetarian Footballer
Dwayne De Rosario: Vegetarian Footballer
Dwayne De Rosario: Vegetarian Footballer
Dwayne De Rosario, the vegetarian footballer. At first glance you see a rough and tough looking footballer, one who takes no prisoners, a carnivore. Now what you wouldn't see beyond the surface is a man with values. Dwayne De Rosario is a vegetarian. That's right, a vegetarian footballer. How would a vegetarian footballer gain all the nutrients necessary to perform? What nutrients does a vegetarian footballer need? What does Dwayne De Rosario eat? Why is he a vegetarian footballer? All of these questions I'm sure are stirring up in your brain as you read this hub, I'm 100% sure of this. The answer to be put simply is roots.
"I grew up on 'provisions' in Toronto, we call it 'yard food.' You know, sweet potato, plantain, okra, cassava. Now and then you have a little meat. Toronto has such a big West Indian community, you know where to go to find things"
Currently captain of Toronto FC, a Canadian based Football club in America's Major League Soccer (MLS) De Rosario plays as an attacking midfielder, he also plays for the Canadian National Team. However believe it or not Dwayne's parents were born in Guyana, a state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Even though De Rosario was born in Ontario, his heart lies in the culture of Guyana, hence the vegetarianism.
De Rosario's Football journey began at the age of 17 where he began playing for the Canadian National team, The very next year at the age of 18 De Rosario signed a two-year deal with second division German side FSV Zwickau. Being a vegetarian in Germany was no easy task for De Rosario.
"My parents would send me packages from back home, but also, my roommate and I would drive to African markets in West Germany. Everywhere you go, you can find things. You just have to mix with people."
After playing in Germany De Rosario returned to the United states in 1999 and signed for A-League club Richmond Kickers where he was a standout, netting 15 goals, and 5 assists. This caught the attention of the San Jose Earthquakes where he would sign a four-year contract. During his years at San Jose De Rosario did not fail to impress, featuring in 107 matches finding the net 25 times. None more important than his in 2001 Golden Goal winner in overtime to win the MLS Cup for San Jose, he was named the MLS Cup MVP.
His discipline on the field translates off the field as well. He is a strong believer and follower of his lifestyle and hopes to promote vegan and soy products.
"I'd like to do a commercial for soy products that promotes health consciousness," he says. "You let people know that you can still get the same protein, vitamins, calcium, and whatever you need from eating this way. Hey, the biggest animals in the world are vegetarians!" he laughs.
His former head coach Frank Yallop had this to say about De Rosario.
"Hey, he's fit and he trains hard," says Yallop. "If he can last 90 minutes out there, he can eat the bark off trees, as far as I'm concerned."
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