From Bowling Lanes to Football Fields: The Unbelievable Journey of Luis Perez
ARLINGTON, Texas — Luis Perez was like many young boys, dreaming of becoming an NFL quarterback. He fondly recalls sleeping with a football as a child, a testament to his early passion for the game. However, the path he has taken to pursue this dream is anything but ordinary. At 30 years old, Perez’s journey is not defined by his current role as the starting quarterback for the UFL’s Arlington Renegades or his stints in The Spring League, the USFL, the Alliance of American Football, and the original XFL.
His story is so remarkable that Perez decided to pen an autobiography titled “The Spring King,” released just last week. The title pays homage to the nickname he earned for his success in various spring professional leagues. “I just feel like I’d do a disservice to people out there if I don’t share my story and everything I went through,” said Perez, whose Renegades (1-0) are set to face the Houston Roughnecks (0-1) on Sunday (noon ET, ESPN/ESPN+). “I keep thinking it can positively impact a lot of people and change lives.”
Renegades tight end Sal Cannella, who has been Perez’s teammate for the past three years, is still in awe of Perez’s background. “It seems like it’s going to turn into a Netflix documentary or something at one point,” Cannella said. “It’s got to. It’s just one of those stories that almost feels like fiction, you know, where you couldn’t believe it. But the fact that it is real just makes you respect him even more.”
Perez’s Unconventional Start
Perez played some quarterback during his youth football days, but he also took on roles as a tight end and offensive lineman. Surprisingly, he never played varsity football at Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista, California. Instead, he excelled as a bowler, achieving 12 perfect games and even having the opportunity to attend college on a bowling scholarship.
Watching his friends play their final high school football game reignited Perez’s quarterback dream. “I knew I could always go back to bowling,” Perez said. “It’s like riding a bike. You can bowl when you’re 50, 60 years old. Your window to make it to the NFL is so small. You can’t wait on that dream.”
With no formal training, Perez turned to YouTube to learn how to play quarterback. “I don’t know a quarterback coach, I don’t know how to even get ahold of these people, so I’m like, ‘Let me get on YouTube,’ and I started watching basic fundamental tutorials,” Perez explained. “All I knew is I could throw a nice spiral and I had a big arm. That’s it.”
For months, he studied highlights of NFL greats like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady. He even bought a full-length mirror to perfect his form and practiced taking five-step drops in his bedroom.
Finding a Mentor and a College Opportunity
After months of self-training, Perez connected with Akili Smith, a former No. 3 overall pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1999, who had become a quarterback trainer. “After that time with Akili, I was like, ‘Hey, what do I do from now on? I want to become an NFL quarterback, guide me where to go,'” Perez said.
Smith directed him to Southwestern College, a junior college in Chula Vista. Perez recalls walking into coach Ed Carberry’s office and declaring his intention to be the starting quarterback. “Where did you play? Where’s your tape?” Carberry asked. When Perez revealed he hadn’t played high school football, Carberry laughed but allowed him to try out.
Initially, Perez was ninth on the depth chart, but his dedication paid off. He became the backup quarterback and eventually got his chance when the starter was injured. Perez threw a touchdown pass in Southwestern’s win, but his journey was far from over.
Overcoming Setbacks and Seizing Opportunities
Perez’s path was fraught with challenges. He suffered a broken leg, missed the rest of the season, and faced competition from a new transfer. Despite these setbacks, he finished the season with 18 touchdown passes and three interceptions, sharing time with another quarterback.
When the season ended, Perez had no scholarship offers until a last-minute opportunity from UC-Davis, which was later rescinded due to a non-transferable math class. Undeterred, Perez researched Division II quarterbacks who made it to the NFL and found inspiration in Dustin Vaughan. He reached out to Colby Carthel, who offered him a scholarship at Texas A&M Commerce.
Achieving Success and Chasing the NFL Dream
At Texas A&M Commerce, Perez redshirted his first year and then became the starter for two seasons. In 2016, he set a school record for touchdown passes (32) and led the team to the Division II playoffs. In his final season, he threw for 5,001 yards and 46 touchdowns, winning the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
Despite his success, Perez went undrafted. However, he impressed during a pro day with the Los Angeles Rams and earned a spot on their roster. Although his time in the NFL was brief, Perez’s determination never wavered.
Spring Football: Keeping the Dream Alive
Spring football leagues have been instrumental in keeping Perez’s NFL dream alive. He has played for various teams, including the Birmingham Iron in the AAF, the Los Angeles Wildcats in the XFL, and the New Jersey Generals in the USFL. Most recently, he led the Arlington Renegades to an XFL championship.
- Birmingham Iron (AAF) – 2019
- Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) – 2020
- The Spring League – 2021
- New Jersey Generals (USFL) – 2022
- Arlington Renegades (XFL) – 2023
Arlington offensive coordinator Chuck Long praised Perez’s leadership, saying, “He brought everybody together, got everybody on the same page and brought a lot of positive energy and took us to a championship.”
As Perez approaches his 31st birthday, he remains focused on his goal of reaching the NFL. “Every year I ask myself, ‘Do I enjoy getting up at 4 o’clock in the morning? Do I enjoy working out, training? Yes. Am I still playing at a high level? Yes. Am I injured? No,” Perez said. “So I’m good. So I’m just going to continue to keep playing. My goal is to go to the NFL. I’m not just doing it for the fun of it. Obviously, it is fun to me, but my goal is to go to the NFL and provide for my family a better life. And, yeah, that’s kind of where it’s at.”
Originally Written by: Todd Archer
