Donatello Arrabiata

Donatello Arrabiata

No. 88 – Philadelphia Liberty/London Royals
Position:	Tight End
Personal information
Born:	(2000-11-04)November 4, 2000 (aged 60) Point Roberts, Washington, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:	Blaine High School
College:	University Of Washington
ISFL Draft:	2037  / Round: 7 / Pick: 8
DSFL Draft:	2036  / Round: 18 / Pick: 2
Career history
Roster status:	Active

Donatello Arrabiata (born November 4, 2008) is an American football tight end who is currently unsigned by a professional team. He played college football for University Of Washington (UW) and has declared his intent to enter the professional ranks next season.

Early years

Donatello Arrabiata was born on November 4, 2008 in Point Roberts, WA. He was born to Vietnamese immigrants and adopted by Italian bakers. Donatello's birthname is Don Vinh Nguyen, but was changed when adopted by his adoptive parents. Donatello's adoptive parents were renowned Italian bakers and pizza makers who owned a small pizzeria in Point Roberts, WA. Growing up in a predominantly Caucasian community, Donatello tried to hide his Vietnamese heritage by dying his hair blonde and wearing outrageous shirts. Despite those physical changes, he was still bullied, facing constant racial remarks. Donatello found refuge in football. Despite his love for football, his adoptive father wanted him to enter the pizza business. While learning the secrets of his family's pizza, Donatello had a secret of his own. Donatello was secretly playing football for Blaine Senior High School. Donatello excelled at both pizza making and football. Donatello is the youngest recipient of a Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) certificate. On the same day as his final game of his high school career, a national pizza making competition was scheduled for the same time. Donatello was forced to choose between his two loves. After a long argument with his adoptive father, Donatello reluctantly went to the pizza competition. Donatello won the pizza competition and quickly rushed to the football game, arriving at half time with Blaine HS losing 21-0. After an uplifting and emotional speech, Donatello caught 3 touchdowns and threw for 1 touchdown. Blaine HS lost the game with the final score 49-28. Donatello was accepted to the University of Washington where he planned to major in food science and Russian literature.

College career

Donatello Arrabiata played just two years for the University of Washington Huskies as a walk-on. During his first two years, Donatello focused on his studies and ran a pizza shop in the university's student center, known as The HUB. It wasn't until fellow University of Washington football player, Daniel George (Tight End), threw a football inside The HUB and Donatello made a leaping one-handed catch to save another student from dropping his pizza, that Donatello was invited to try out for the team. Donatello made the team as a tight end and played mostly special teams during his first year. His first year, Donatello had just 9 receptions for 75 yards and 1 touchdown. On special teams, Donatello had one blocked punt, one forced fumble, and one onside kick recovery. In his senior year, Donatello had 45 receptions for 511 yards and 5 TDs. Donatello made third-team All-Pac-12 as a tight end.

College career statistics

Use this page to get the stats table template.

Professional career

DSFL career

S21

In the S21 DSFL Draft, Donatello Arrabiata was drafted by the new expansion team, the London Royals, with the 146th pick. Donatello was immediately listed as TE1 for the London Royals. Donatello made an immediate impact in the locker room as the tight end captain. Donatello had an outstanding training camp, impressing coaches, as well as, media personalities. In four preseason games, he had nine receptions for 52 yards. In his first career game, Donatello recorded his first career touchdown reception in the 2nd quarter against the Dallas Birddogs. Donatello's first touchdown was also the Royals franchise's first offensive touchdown. Although Donatello scored early, Donatello didn't have a touchdown the remainder of the season. Donatello had a career best in Week 9 against the Tijuana Luchadores with four receptions for 58 yards. Donatello received harsh criticism during the season for his high number in drops. Media was quick to point out drops in key moments in games. Some which may have helped win games or put the Royals in the position to win. Donatello also received criticism for his comments endorsing pineapple on pizza. After he did not back down from his comments, Donatello received a number of protests, as well as, death threats. He believed his comments were the cause of not being nominated for TE of the Year honors. Donatello ended his rookie season with 32 receptions, 260 yards, averaging 8.1 yards/catch, and 1 touchdown. His reception total and yards were 5th best amongst tight ends in the DSFL.

S22

In his second season, Donatello stayed with the Royals after being selected by the Philadelphia Liberty in the NSFL. Donatello made huge strides for his career, but it did not come quickly. Donatello started the season similar to S21. In the first three games of the season, Donatello did not surpass 35 yards receiving despite being second in receptions for the Royals. Donatello did not receive his first touchdown until the third quarter of Week 5 against the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers. Donatello received his second touchdown in Week 6, doubling his touchdown total from his rookie season. It wouldn't be until Week 11 that Donatello would have another touchdown. For much of the first half of the season, Donatello continued to struggle with drops; a recurring issue from his rookie season. In Week 11, Donatello turned his season around. In the final four weeks, Donatello had three touchdowns along with 222 yards receiving. This included career-bests, two touchdown game against the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers, and a 97 yard receiving game against the Dallas Birddogs. Donatello finished the season with 62 receptions, 600 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. Donatello led all tight ends with all receiving categories. The London Royals reached the DSFL playoffs for the first time in the franchise. In the NFC Conference Finals, the Royals faced off against the regular season conference champions, the Minnesota Grey Ducks. The majority of the game was a defensive battle with neither team scoring a touchdown until the fourth-quarter by Minnesota. With four-and-a-half minutes left in the game, the Royals went down the field and Donatello scored the game-tying touchdown before the end of regulation. In overtime, Donatello came up big with three receptions on the Royals' second drive, including a 44-yard reception that put the Royals in field goal range and ultimately won the game. The accolades continued after the season. Donatello was voted into the DSFL S22 Pro Bowl, receiving 11/12 votes. Donatello was also voted the DSFL S22 Tight End of the Year. He received 31/75 votes. After the season, Donatello was called up by the Philadelphia Liberty to join them in S23.

NSFL career

In the S22 NSFL Draft, Donatello Arrabiata was drafted by the Philadelphia Liberty with their 80th (Rd 7, 8th) pick. In the S22 Season, Donatello elected to stay in the DSFL with the London Royals.

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40‑yd dash	20‑ss	3‑cone	Vert jump	Broad	BP	Wonderlic
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	240 lb (109 kg)	4.55 s	4.6 s	7.07 s	37 in (0.94 m)	1 ft 0 in (0.30 m)	2 reps	50

Professional career statistics

			Receiving					Offensive Line
Season	Team	GP	Rec	Yds	Avg	Long	TD	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
2036 (S21)	Royals	14	32	260	8.1	30	1	10	0
2037 (S22)	Royals	14	62	600	9.7	44	5	11	1

Use this page to get the stats table template.

Achievements and Records

Awards

Team

• NFC North Champion (1): 2037

Individual

• DSFL Tight End of the Year: 2037
• DSFL Pro Bowl Selection (1): 2037

London Royals franchise records

• 2037; Broke LDN franchise record for most receptions in a season (62 receptions)
• 2037; Broke LDN franchise record for most receiving touchdowns in a season (5)
• 2037; Set LDN playoff franchise record for most receptions in a playoff game (8 receptions)
• 2037; Set LDN playoff franchise record for most receiving yards in a game (109 yards)
• 2037; Set LDN playoff franchise record for most receiving touchdowns in a game (1)

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