How One Winter Day in 2014 Led Tua Tagovailoa and Marcus Mariota to Spain

A winter training session in 2014 has been identified as the starting point for a unique connection between two prominent NFL quarterbacks and a football organization in Spain. The events of that day set in motion a series of developments that have influenced the growth of American football in the country.

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In 2014, quarterback coach Mike Canales organized a private workout in California for his University of Hawaii quarterback, Marcus Mariota. He invited another young quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, who was still in high school at the time, to observe the session. The workout was also attended by a Spanish coach, Jesús “Titi” Romero, who was in the US to learn from American football programs.

Following the session, Coach Romero began a long-term correspondence with Mike Canales. This professional relationship was the foundation for future collaborations. Years later, this connection led to Mike Canales being hired as the offensive coordinator for the Las Rozas Black Demons, a team in Spain’s top American football league.

Canales’s role with the Spanish team subsequently created an opportunity for Marcus Mariota, now an NFL veteran, to become a part-owner of the Las Rozas Black Demons. The original 2014 workout also involved Tua Tagovailoa, who has since become the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.

Summary

A 2014 training session involving Marcus Mariota and a young Tua Tagovailoa served as the initial link to American football in Spain. The event was attended by Spanish coach Jesús Romero, who formed a professional relationship with the quarterbacks’ coach, Mike Canales.

This connection eventually resulted in Canales being hired as an offensive coordinator for a Spanish league team, the Las Rozas Black Demons. The partnership expanded further when Marcus Mariota joined the Spanish club as a part-owner. The chain of events demonstrates how a single training day created a lasting bridge between the NFL and the sport’s development in Spain.

FAQs

**What was the significance of the 2014 workout?**
The 2014 winter workout was a private session for Marcus Mariota that Tua Tagovailoa observed. It was significant because it was attended by a Spanish coach, Jesús Romero, which initiated the cross-border relationship.

How did Mike Canales get involved with a team in Spain?
Mike Canales developed a professional relationship with Spanish coach Jesús Romero after the 2014 workout. This long-term connection led to his hiring as the offensive coordinator for the Las Rozas Black Demons.

What is Marcus Mariota’s role with the Spanish team?
Following his coach’s involvement, Marcus Mariota became a part-owner of the Las Rozas Black Demons. His investment is connected to the relationships formed starting from the 2014 training day.