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Brantford's other native son

Brantford's other native son

By Rob Longley

Frankie’s Hometown Tavern in Brantford is your typical neighbourhood pub, the kind of place to gather for the big game, shoot the breeze and enjoy a cold one.

Lately though, it has become the unofficial Canadian headquarters of the New England Patriots fan club.

For the past three seasons, each time the undefeated AFC powerhouse plays, Frankie’s is packed with Pats fans.

This may be a hockey town best known as the birthplace of the Great One, Wayne Gretzky, but these days folks in Brantford are bursting with pride over another native son.

Nick Kaczur, born, bred and raised in the Southwestern Ontario town, has been a quiet yet crucial part of the Patriots success this season.

As one of the key protectors for quarterback Tom Brady, who just helped the Pats polish off their historic 16-0 season, Kaczur has become the toast of his town.

“The whole town is really proud of what Nick has done,” said Frank White, who owns Frankie’s and helps lead the cheers each week with Kaczur’s family and friends, old and new. “But we’re just as proud that Nick is the same guy he has always been.

“It’s not just what he accomplished in football. It’s that Nick is still Nick.”

If anyone would know it is White, who regularly served Kaczur a cold one back in the days when he was working construction and the NFL had to seem little more than a fading dream.

White sees the same gentle giant when he slings Kaczur a Bud Light on the off season nights when New England’s starting right tackle comes to a place he knows will feel like home.

Or on Patriots game days (and nights) when Frankie’s turns into a community gathering place.

People bring food while friends and family such as Kaczur’s brother Chad gather to celebrate the unlikely story of a kid strong enough in body and spirit to realize his dream.

“Nick’s just a real great, down to earth guy,” said Frankie’s night manager, Jet Khagura. “You’d never imagine he’s a pro athlete playing for this dynasty team. He’d do anything for a kid, even when he’s relaxing with friends and family.”

The good-guy angle is just one layer of what has been an amazing story for the 28-year-old, who has started 35 of 41 games with the Patriots during his career.

A nagging foot injury made Kaczur a game-time scratch in the season finale against the New York Giants, but it was the only game he missed all season.

It has been quite an elevation from working in construction in his home town after graduating from Brantford Collegiate Institute.

Kazcur was a stud of a football player then, but didn’t have strong enough marks to accept a football scholarship to Toledo.

Rather than let the dream die, Kaczur joined Chad on the job working construction, played some senior football and studied at home to boost his marks.

Two years later with his academics in order, he was off to Toledo where he was a four-year star in the Mid American Conference.

With his size and football smarts, Kaczur caught the eyes of some prominent football people north and south of the border.

The Toronto Argonauts made him a first-round pick in the 2005 CFL draft but never had the luxury of seeing him in Double Blue. Not after he caught the eye of Pats coach Bill Belichick and the team’s personnel guru, Scott Pioli, who snagged him in the third round.

“We liked Nick’s athleticism and his size,” Argos director of player personnel, Greg Mohns said. “We really thought he was a true blue-collar type of lineman who came and brought his lunchpail every day and went to work hard.

“We thought he had some nastiness and a feisty temperament that you don’t always see in an offensive lineman.

“Obviously the Patriots saw some of the same things.”

That they did, and as a result, here he is on a weekly basis pass blocking for the NFL’s most demanding and successful quarterback.

While his friends may be in awe that he is one of Brady’s most trusted aides, Kaczur’s laid-back demeanor allows him to take it all in stride. He recognizes Brady’s leadership skills but most importantly has been diligent to fit in with the Patriots’ team-first philosophy.

“He’s a great motivator,” Kaczur said in a recent interview in the Patriots locker room. “Even if you give something up, he doesn’t get on you, he looks to pick you back up. “He’ll ask you to give him a little more, tell you it’s all right. He’s a great guy and a great guy to play for.”

With three of his linemates named to the Pro Bowl, Kaczur has become a key part of an offensive line that rarely allows Brady to get sacked. He has been the quick-study type of player Belichick covets with an attitude to complement.

“He may get beat by a guy but rarely will he get beat making the same mistake twice,” said a scout who regularly follows the Patriots. “And you hardly ever see the zebras throwing a flag on the guy.”

You also won’t see much attitude from Kaczur when he drops by Frankie’s, the bar that has gradually become a shrine to a soft-spoken local kid who has risen to the top of American’s most popular game.

“He used to come in with his buddies and have a couple of beers after work and now this,” White says. “Working construction and now playing a big part for one of the greatest teams in sports history - it’s off the map.”