Lorie Johnson
The Herald Staff

Nick Gatto is living proof nothing is impossible if you work hard and believe in yourself.

Gatto, a junior political science major of Spring, Texas, was born with only one arm.

That did not stop or even slow him down on his way to achieving starting status as place kicker for the Arkansas State University football team.

Gatto said one of the reasons he came to ASU was because they were willing to give him the chance to play Division I football.

"That is what I've wanted to do for a long time," Gatto said.

This is Gatto's first season playing for the Indians. He transferred to ASU from Blinn Junior College in Blinn, Texas.

ASU Coach Joe Hollis said ASU knew about Gatto's ability before he came to school here, but they did not know what a joy it would be to get to know him.

Gatto was a place kicker in junior college also.

Gatto played wide receiver, defensive back, full back, and kicker during his high school career.

Gatto said he enjoys playing special teams because it can be a turning point in a game.

"I enjoy being a part of something that can help our team win," Gatto said.

Hollis said Gatto is greatly admired by his teammates.

"He takes a lot of pride in everything he does. He has a strong work ethic and a great attitude," Hollis said.

Gatto said he knows there will always be people who are going to have doubts about his ability at first because they have never seen him play.

At the same time, Gatto said he feels he was born with talent and that is what has allowed him to get to where he is today.

Gatto said his parents, Sal and Tina Gatto, also helped him get where he is today.

"They had a very, very big influence on my life because they always treated me as if I had two arms," Gatto said.

Gatto said his parents always told him that he could be as good or better than any other players if he worked at it.

"That's what I've always taken to heart," Gatto said.

Gatto has indeed taken this to heart.

In August when the Indians had their Rep test, Gatto benched pressed 225 pounds 16 times. Gatto said now he can lift 305 pounds.

Gatto said it is important for him to cheer his teammates on from the sidelines because it shows his teammates how much he cares about the things the team is doing on the field.

"I enjoy getting the crowd into it too, because it shows them I'm having fun watching our guys play out there, too." Gatto said.

Gatto said he feels that he is a good role model for younger ASU fans.

"They are always needing to see that you can overcome adversity even though you have been born with a handicap," Gatto said.

Gatto said he does not mind explaining why he only has one arm to children.

"Kids are always going to want to know what happened to you," Gatto said. "I'm always happy to explain to them that this is the way I was born."

Gatto said that once he explains it to them, they can feel more comfortable around him.

Gatto even has what he described as a very "open" sense of humor about his arm.

"I'm known to always crack jokes about my arm, because I have a very open sense of humor about it," Gatto said. "I've always been a light guy."

Gatto said there is a reason behind his sense of humor.

"I decided as a little boy that I am never going to let this get me down," Gatto said.