by Joe Ramirez
Owner, Manager, Player, Coach
Edinburg Landsharks

Back in 1996 a small group of individuals tried to start the valley’s first full contact football league. This league would cater to players who still wanted to play full contact football after high school. After many disappointing dead ends and lack of money, the idea died and all the work that was done was lost.

A few years later Willie Arias of Harlingen decided to give it another go. It worked and with the help of Joe Garza from Rio Hondo, Texas, The Ironman Football League was born. It was in the Ironman League that I got my chance to play. A good friend by the name of Jerry Villarreal gave me a call and informed me of a team in Rio Hondo, TX. I had not heard of this since team owners had lost touch with most players who initially wanted to play. I attended the game to watch Jerry play.

Jerry is now the head coach for the Landsharks. He is also the guy who plays next to me on the defensive line. I like to brag so I will: I can say with great confidence that Jerry and I are two of the best Defensive tackles in the League.

The following week I was at practice with a bunch of guys that loved to play as much as myself. My first year with the Rio Hondo Jaguars was a memorable one. Thanks goes out to all those crazy guys who welcomed me on that team. As an Edinburg native the drive to Rio Hondo three times a week took its toll. Team owners encouraged me to start a team in Edinburg. This would also give the league a new team to beat on, or so they thought.

After many phone calls from Willie I finally got off my behind and started the process of building a team. Much of my own money was put into the pot along with a few sponsors that helped. Willie B’s BAR-B-Q was the first to help out. I feel obligated to mention them here because he didn’t even hesitate to write a check to help out. Thanks Gilbert. (P.S. My barbecue is still better than yours.) Mitch Roberts from Roberts Chevrolet in Edinburg was also a great help in our third year. We would not have been able to play if it wasn’t for him. Thanks a million, Mitch. After spreading the word and talking to potential players, the Edinburg Landsharks was formed.

Thank you for taking the time to read our short history of our humble beginnings. We look forward to seeing you at our games and thanking you in advance for your support.