After suffering a heart attack in a game against Brownfield last season, Xavier Ramirez is back on the field in 2016.

The Slaton Tigers have had a tough year sitting at 1-5 with three district games remaining, but the Tigers’ senior class is on their third head coach in four years.

Despite the tough season Ramirez’s incredible journey back to the field has helped his team though the losses according to head coach Stacy Martin,

“I think it’s just one of those thing that pulled them together it’s hard to see your friend or someone you’ve grown up with go through something like that and to see him still out there and the way he lives life every day it’s just an example to all of us.”

Ramirez see’s himself as a leader by example,

“I’m not that talkative I’m just a leader by example people see me and they want to do it.”

It was almsot a year ago when Rmairez collasaped on the sideline during a game against Brownfield, and no matter how tough the season has been Xavier says they have nothing to worry about,

“whenever they say no excuses they turn to me because I had a heart attack and I’m still playing football so I don’t think they should be scared.”

The Tigers have three district games remaining and lost to Shallowater tonight 48-27.