Italy’s new Lazio Ducks sign LB Herbert Gamboa

The newly formed Lazio Ducks in Rome, Italy have signed linebacker Herbert Gamboa from the University of Montana Grizzlies for the 2018 season.

The Ducks, an amalgamation of the Lazio Marines and the Rome Grizzlies American football clubs, have focused on defense for one of their first import signings. Football director Bart laccarino discovered Gamboa while recruiting players for the Europe Warriors.

The 6′, 210 lb Gamboa, whose hometown is San Clemente, California, but is a native of Merida Yucatán, Mexico, was a four-year starter for the Grizzlies and first team All Big Sky conference in his senior year and a preseason USA College Football All-American. At San Clemente High School, Gamboa helped his team rise to a number 5 national ranking.

American Football International asked Herbert about playing in Europe for the first time.

American Football International: You were recruited to Lazio when you played for the Europe Warriors. How did you end up with the Warriors?

Herbert Gamboa: I was contacted by Bart laccarino through Europlayers where Bart and I talked previously about playing in Europe.

AFI: You played at Montana and had a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs. Where did you play in 2017?

HG: After being let go by the Chiefs I went back to the University of Montana to get my bachelors degree in communication and helped out with the football program. So I did not play in 2017

AFI: How did you find out about playing overseas?

HG: Playing football my whole life I have played and completed with guys that currently play in NFL, CFL, and most recently overseas, and wanting to continue my career that’s how I found out about playing overseas

AFI: How much do you know about playing in Italy?

HG: I have no experience playing in Italy or in Europe

AFI: Tell us a little about your football background.

HG: I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old and have family members that played college football before as well as an uncle who played for the Green Bay Packers. I’m from San Clemente High School where my team was too 5 in the nation, then recruited by Montana where I played as a true freshmen as a safety then moved to linebacker where I’ve played that position my whole life and was a first team outside linebacker, then had the opportunity to compete in the NFL

AFI: What do you bring to the team? 

HG: I’m going to bring knowledge of the game and high intensity! I’ve lived by the saying practice how you play and I’ll bring that attitude to the field everyday! I want to thank Bart from bringing me along this season and Thank all of Duck nation!

Interested in playing American football in overseas?

Register on Europlayers.com.

Europlayers is the largest online database of American football players, teams and coaches.  It is a connector, bringing together and introducing athletes to overseas teams. On the site you can begin researching teams around the world.  Once you create a profile, you become searchable by hundreds of American football clubs around the world.