Zamora Makes Impact on Field Mere Hours Into Pirates Tenure

On game day April 27, the Massachusetts Pirates announced the signing of wide receiver Ishmael Zamora.

A few hours later, he suited up.

Football, being a complex sport about getting the small details right, Zamora was not expected to be a big factor. But when the Pirates broke huddle for their first offensive drive against the Orlando Predators, there he was.

His first catch for the Pirates, a touchdown that added to their lead that they never let go of the entire game.

Pirates quarterback Sean Brackett threw it to the former Oakland Raider trusting his new teammate of only a few hours.

“It’s my job to read the defense and find the open guy,” Brackett said. “He was the open guy on the play, that’s who the play was designed for and he’s a big strong kid so he went up and made a big play on the ball, scored his first touchdown, and good for him and good for us.”

Brackett praised the new receiver and said Zamora right off the bat has been a student of the game in Massachusetts.

“He’s been great,” Brackett said. On the field, off the field he’s been in my ear asking questions, been in the playbook so very excited his potential and once we get clicking here even more he’ll be another great weapon for me.”

Wide receiver Devonn Brown, who injured his hamstring, is familiar with Zamora and is excited to help the Baylor alum get his bearings rather than compete with him.

“He came to visit me in college at Fresno State when he was going on his recruit trip so me and Ishmael go way back,” Brown said. [He is] kind of like a little brother so I’m definitely going to look out for him.”

Zamora while happy about the touchdown, was just grateful that the team and president Jawad Yatim gave him an opportunity .

“I really appreciate the guys for bringing me in, Jawad for giving me a chance, coach [Anthony Payton] for giving me that chance to go out and just prove that I can play,” Zamora said. “The crowd was amazing, I loved it, we can always have more people but we truly appreciated everyone that came and I appreciate all the support and energy it just kept me going.”

His first game was a fine showing, but Zamora is ready for his first full week of practices to get up to speed.

“My first day back to practice I got a lot to work on,” Zamora said. “I got a lot of film to look at, I already know what I have to work on, I was mad on the sideline but I didn’t let it get to me so I’m just ready to go back to the lab and [put the work in].”