If resilience was the only marker of success in football, Mundelein senior linebacker Chris Roi would still be a standout player.
The Wisconsin-Whitewater commit suffered a broken collarbone during the third game of his freshman season and a torn meniscus in his left knee during the third game of his sophomore season. But he returned from the latter injury after surgery to play in the final two games of the season.
“I want to be on the field,” Roi said. “I don’t like watching and need to be there for my teammates.”
Hurrying back to play in 2024, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Roi demonstrated the tenacity that fans see from him on the field. He has recorded more tackles for loss than any other Mundelein player in the past 15 years.
But Roi took it up a notch last year when he played the entire season with a reinjured meniscus.
“I couldn’t imagine not playing,” he said. “The doctor said it might hurt but that I could play. Every once in a while, there was an occasional flare-up, but one of the coaches is a physical therapist, and we made sure to strengthen the muscles around it.
“It might be a little painful at times, but I could do everything. Pushing my way through it, that was the mentality.”
Roi, who also plays baseball for Mundelein, wholeheartedly embraces that mentality.
“Football is my life,” he said. “I was always a baseball kid early on in my life until I found football. I found my passion, and I’ve loved every second of it since.”
Aside from some minor bumps and bruises, Roi has been healthy this season, and his numbers reflect that. He has 44 tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, one fumble recovery and one interception for the Mustangs (3-5, 1-5), who will play North Suburban Conference rival Lake Forest on Friday and can still qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
“I definitely do feel a little lighter on my feet this year,” he said. “I can break down, accelerate and change directions a little better.”
Roi has also become proficient as a team leader. Mundelein has just 10 seniors on the roster, so guidance from the most established players is vital, and Roi has become an unquestioned and trusted voice.
It’s the kind of voice that Roi knows needs to be heard, even in the most deflating moments, like the aftermath of the Mustangs’ heartbreaking loss to Zion-Benton last week. They committed a turnover deep in the Zee-Bees’ territory late in the game.
“He asked to address the team after the game, and I said, ‘Of course,’” Mundelein coach John Cowhey said. “I admire Chris so much because the adversity he’s faced hasn’t brought him down at all. When I need the right thing to say to the team, he’s there to do it. He’s the vocal heartbeat of the team.”
Roi took mental notes about leadership last season. He learned to emulate then-senior Frankie Lesniak, a fellow linebacker.
“He was like a big brother to me and a very good role model,” Roi said. “I learned from him how important it is to be more than just a team but a family.
“As a leader, I’m not necessarily quiet, but I like to show people the right way. You need to use your voice, but a good leader isn’t going to bring someone down or be overly critical. You have to pull kids up.”
More Top Picks Car Tents
Roi’s leadership in team settings speaks volumes, but he’s available for his teammates at other times too.
Roi and Sladen Poutre, a senior fullback, became quick friends after they started playing together in middle school. Poutre suffered a torn ACL two weeks ago and has already undergone career-ending surgery, and he’s unable to leave his house.
“I’ve been home from surgery probably for seven days, and he’s been here visiting me on at least five of those days,” Poutre said. “A lot of guys listen to his words and feed off his energy. Things he says definitely benefit the team, and he’s always had the ability to push those around him.”
Roi wants to push the Mustangs, who have lost five straight games, into the playoffs.
“Our motto is ‘believe,’ as in believing we can do this, believing that we can be a winning program,” he said. “I feel like it’s the little details that have hurt us sometimes. We’ve been competitive with every team, and I know we have the players to put it all together.”
Roi hopes that happens in the short term, but his long-term future looks very promising. He received the offer from Wisconsin-Whitewater coach Jace Rindahl during the school day, which allowed him to include Cowhey in the conversation, and he called his mother right after that to share the good news.
“Having that burden off my shoulders is nice, but I also feel like I need to play even better than I have to justify it,” Roi said. “I always need to perform at my highest level, no matter what.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.