Bellore Finds NFL Future With the Jets

After years of establishing himself at the high school and college level, Whitefish Bay's own Nick Bellore has officially made the big leagues.

Bellore went undrafted in April, and was then left in limbo as a street free agent during the NFL union lockout. When the lockout ended, he was signed to a three-year contract with the New York Jets July 26, but his fate with the team was still up in the air until he survived the final round of cuts Saturday.

In a phone interview the next day, Bellore said the news hasn't fully set in, even though he's been playing with the pros for more than a month.

He said the step up from Central Michigan University to the Jets has been a noticeable one, but the 6-foot-1, 250-pound linebacker isn't letting the big leagues get to his head.

"It is a big step from college obviously," he said. "The guys are bigger and faster than in college, and a lot more is demanded of you in terms of preparation and learning the playbook. I’ve always been good at that, so that’s been pretty helpful in the transition."

Bellore has already seen quite a bit of field time during the preseason, starting on special teams and playing second-team defense. He said he played four total quarters in his first two games.

Bellore said he is slowly getting used to playing alongside some of the biggest names in the league, including Plaxico Burress, Bart Scott, LaDainian Tomlinson and Santonio Holmes. 

"I grew up watching all these guys on the team, so being on the same field as them is obviously awesome, but you get rid of that pretty quick because your focus needs to be on the game," he said.

Even though he was raised in Whitefish Bay, he said he was always more of a college football fan than a Packers fan, and he was not necessarily hoping to end up on the Super Bowl champs from his home state.

He said the Jets gave him the best opportunity out of free agency, and the Jets' new stadium is icing on the cake.

"From the coaching staff to training staff, I think it’s a top-notch organization that’s second to none," he said. "Other guys on the team say they have been to other places and it doesn't compare."

Bellore admits he was upset when he wasn't immediately drafted in April. After all, he was a three-time, first-team all-Mid American Conference selection during his days at Central Michigan University. He set the freshman tackle record in his first year, and his total of 472 tackles is third highest in Central Michigan history.

"I was obviously frustrated with how the draft went but at the end of the day I'm on a team and it couldn’t have worked out any better," he said.

After the draft, he was unable to be signed due to the lockout – an experience that was somewhat nerve-wracking but also gave him time to come back to Whitefish Bay and hang out with high school friends.

"I was able to hang out with my high school buddies and talk a little bit with the younger guys in high school," he said. "I try to help them out as much as possible."

So, how do his old high school friends feel about him playing for one of Brett Favre's other alma maters?

"It probably would have been easier for them if I signed to the Packers, but hopefully, they'll learn to be Jets fans," he said.

The Jets open the regular season on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.