Senior Gameday Program Feature - Anthony Gatti
9/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Anthony Gatti
Ny R.J. Layton, Mizzou Strategic Communications
Injuries may have been the story of redshirt senior Anthony Gatti's long career at Mizzou, thus far. The veteran offensive lineman has battled through two ACL tears, two meniscus tears, one MCL tear, a shoulder surgery and a quad tendon surgery, but he has not allowed anything to derail his tremendous work ethic.
Heading into his final season wearing the Black & Gold, Gatti has earned a starting role in the trenches at left guard. He says a combination of support and hard work has gotten him to this point.
"It's rough going through all the injuries, but you have to have a strong mind and having great buddies around you always encouraging you helps," Gatti said. "Just watching yourself on film and trying to work on one thing each day brings it all together. It's worked out for me."
Columbia, Missouri has always felt like home to Gatti. The St. Louis native chose Mizzou over several high profile offers to stay close to his family and allow his grandparents to come see him play. Both of his two older brothers attended Mizzou, so becoming a Tiger was an easy decision.
After arriving on campus, Gatti's first devastating injury occurred before he ever stepped on the field for a game. Despite the frustration, he turned to his teammates, specifically former Mizzou standout Elvis Fisher.
"I learned a ton from Elvis because I was always behind him and watching him," Gatti said. "He is just so good with his hands and his technique and I was trying to copy him and do what he does well. He helped me keep up with plays and in the film room."
By his redshirt sophomore campaign, Gatti's dedication and positive mentality paid off, as he saw action in 10 games. Last season, he appeared in 11 contests, including two spot starts when fellow lineman Max Copeland went down with a brief injury of his own.
Now in his final season and serving as a full-time starter, Gatti is just excited to hit the field and play the game he loves.
"It's awesome to start, but it's about just being able to go out there with four other best friends," Gatti said. "Having fun to me is driving somebody off the ball and pancaking them to the ground. I am just ready to go and see what we can do this year."
While Mizzou is coming off a historical 12-2 season and a Cotton Bowl championship, Gatti has simpler goals set for himself and the rest of the offensive line.
"The goal should be to knock somebody down and dominate them every play," Gatti said. "That's what we do. We want to keep the quarterback clean and off the ground. That's how you win games."
In the meantime, Gatti will continue to capitalize on opportunities in the classroom. He earned his Bachelor's degree in hospitality management last May and will now pursue a Master's this fall as he takes advantage of a fifth year of athletic eligibility. To him, that has been the best part about his experience at Mizzou so far.
"Coach Pinkel tells us academics first, then football," Gatti said. "That was key for me. It's important to get my degree and that was my main goal coming to college. That's the reason I'm here."
Gatti has overcome numerous obstacles in his journey at Mizzou, fighting through setbacks to become a starter. The senior will wrap up his time as a Tiger this season the same way he started it: working hard for his teammates, his family and his school.
