BTB would like you to help us welcome aboard our newest writer!

[Ed. Note] Greetings BTB. Today we want to welcome a new addition to the writing staff. We picked up a free agent, Tony Catalina, who has a wealth of football knowledge and a love for the Cowboys. Let’s get to know him and welcome him aboard. — Dave

Hello everybody. First off, I just wanted to start by saying how grateful I am for this opportunity. Getting the chance to write about the Dallas Cowboys and have it be read and discussed by some of the most passionate fans in sports has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.

One could ask why a young boy from Worcester, Massachusetts, in the heart of Pats Nation, would grow up to be a die-hard, passionate fan of the Dallas Cowboys. One could also ask why he would still continue to rep the blue and silver even when his own (not so) little brother was signed as an undrafted free agent by the team in Washington without a name. Even after his own brother made his first career start against our very own Dallas Cowboys, in a scenario so surreal that even Hollywood would reject the script, you could still ask why he would stay a member of Cowboys Nation.

The answer to those questions are simple, its America’s Team. Ever since the day I put my eyes on that star I was captivated. I grew up emulating how Troy Aikman held the laces on a football. Made sure that I was number eight for every pee-wee team I was on. I even went as far as making sure I had a blue bandana under my helmet like Prime Time. I was completely hooked. Through the highs and the lows of the past 20 plus years, I have been right there with you Cowboys Nation. This team is in my blood.

To give you a little more background information about myself, I present to you some the things that are most important to me. I have a beautiful fiancée named Rachel. She is my rock and has been super supportive of me chasing my dreams. We have a crazy puppy named Zeke, who is named after you guessed it. I am surrounded by a big, loving Italian family who always keeps me full of support and good food.

My football background is diverse to say the least. I played the sport through high school, after school was over I got into officiating the game as well. After a few years of officiating, I was lucky enough to be a quarterback coach and offensive line coach at the high school level. From there I was given a tremendous opportunity to be a member of the recruiting staff at The University of Georgia. Being at the SEC level for a year was eye opening. Getting the chance to see how insanely talented some of these SEC players were and how committed the coaches at that level are, was an experience I will never forget. It gave me a new respect for the work these players and coaches put in every day to be play the game we love.

Becoming a member of BTB’s writing staff is giving me an opportunity to express my opinions, discuss current topics, and be involved with the team that I have lived and died with every fall just like every one of you. This is an honor and opportunity that I will not take for granted.

Now that I have been able to tell you a little bit about myself, lets get back to discussing what we all love. Go Cowboys.