Trujillo rejects taunts, secures scholarship from NMAA

LOS LUNAS — Turning the other cheek paid off for Dominic Trujillo to the tune of a $1,000 scholarship.

Trujillo, a 2024 Los Lunas High School graduate, was awarded the NMAA Foundation “Compete with Class” Sportsmanship Scholarship for his action — or lack of action — at the end of the Red vs. Green All-Star Football Game in December.

Trujillo, who said the game was “getting pretty heated,” was the primary defender for Green on a last-second pass play that sealed a victory for Red.

According to the NMAA, “Several players on the Red team started taunting … tapping on the top of his helmet repeatedly. Dominic showed composure and restraint by ‘not’ reacting negatively, in what could have developed into an escalated and tense ending.”

Holding back wasn’t easy for the fiery Trujillo, who was a bit embarrassed that he didn’t respond.

“It was really hard, but I knew I had to keep my composure,” Trujillo said. “It was being broadcast. I just had to keep my cool, especially with my mom watching.”

Trujillo believes one of the coaches on the All-Star team nominated him.

“I was super excited,” he said. “It was really cool,” to get the scholarship.

The next stop for Trujillo is Los Alamos, where he will train to be a firefighter and a paramedic.