Four Esperanza alumni got the chance to play in the National Football League. Their names are Joe Hawley, Travis Kirschke, Brenden Stai, and Matt Werner. It is extremely difficult for a high school football player to even get the chance to continue their career in college, so the fact that these men made it to the NFL is beyond impressive.
Joe Hawley was a Center, whose senior year at Esperanza was in 2005. Hawley was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school and went to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 117th pick in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played for the Falcons from 2010-2015 and then was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he played from 2015-2018. Hawley retired after becoming a free agent in March of 2018.
Travis Kirschke was a Defensive End, whose senior year at Esperanza was in 1992. Kirschke came out of High School being named the California High School Player of the Year and played college football at UCLA. He was signed to the Detroit Lions in 1997 as an undrafted free agent and played there from 1997-2003. He then was signed to the San Fransisco 49ers in 2003 and played there for a year. He then was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played there from 2004-2009. Kirschke recorded amazing stats throughout his career, compiling 245 tackles, 13 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 4 fumble recoveries. He also is a 2-time Super Bowl Champion, winning Super Bowls XL and XLIII.
Brenden Stai was an Offensive Guard, whose senior year at Esperanza was in 1989. He went to college at the University of Nebraska and earned All-American Honors. Stai was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 91st pick in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played with the Steelers from 1995-1999, where he spent the majority of his career. He had 3 other tenures, with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000, the Detroit Lions in 2001, and the Washington redskins in 2002. Stai won a Bowl Coalition national Championship in college and an AFC Championship in the NFL.
Werner was a Defensive Tackle, whose senior year at Esperanza was in 1988, He attended UCLA for college and played for the Seattle Seahawks during the 1994-1995 Season.
