The Jewish Link and Drink Up would like to recognize Ryan and Shlomo Teller as this week’s Sportstars of the Week. The Teller cousins are rising eighth graders and will be key contributors to their schools’ hockey teams in the fall (Ryan as the captain of the Noam Knights and Shlomo for the Ramaz Rams).
Sunday June 19, was a day that the Tellers will not soon forget. It started with both boys putting on tefillin for the first time, and as the day went on the boys earned championship trophies for their BBO and BFCL teams. When asked about this dynamic duo, BCFL their coach, Jeff Morris, told The Jewish Link: “Ryan is a great quarterback, very calm under pressure. He plays with a competitive spirit but is encouraging and supportive of his teammates at the same time. Shlomo is a very quick wide receiver with great hands, but more importantly, he is a great teammate with a very positive attitude”
Ryan and Shlomo, mazel tov on your bar mitzvahs and congrats on the championships and for being recognized as this week’s Sportstars of the Week! Who are your role models and why?
Ryan: My father, because he coaches me and pushes me harder to be my best.
Shlomo: Aryeh, my older brother, because he taught me how to play hockey and football and always cheers me on.
What is your favorite sport?
Ryan: Hockey.
Shlomo: Hockey, because I love scoring goals and setting up my teammates.
What is your pregame routine?
Ryan: I warm up and talk to my teammates.
Shlomo: Eating Saba’s pizza.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Ryan: Winning the Bergen County Flag Football and BBO championships on the same day.
Shlomo: Getting a Pick 6 in the Bergen County Flag Football championship with the game still close.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Ryan: Isaiah Thomas (IT4), because he always gave it his all, and I am a big Celtics fan.
Shlomo: Adam Fox, because he is the ultimate team player and a great hockey player overall.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Ryan: In a big game, with two seconds left and down by five, my cousin Shlomo pitched me the ball and I went to the whole field for a game-winning touchdown as time expired.
Shlomo: Scoring a hockey goal in the playoffs against my cousins.
What is your earliest sports memory?
Ryan: Running the bases at Citi Field with Mr. Met when I was 2.
Shlomo: Going to a Yankees game, and Mark Texiera hitting the game-winning HR and the Yankees winning 2-1.
What is your funniest sports memory?
Ryan: Once in BCFL, I was running for a long touch run with no one around me, and my flags fell down and tripped me up to stop me from scoring the go ahead touchdown.
Shlomo: Someone on my team scored in the wrong hoop in MGBL.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
Ryan: Being recognized for my accomplishments.
Shlomo: It motivates me to practice and play harder.
Please send nominees for an upcoming Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
