The Men of Team IMPACT

Anthony Pecorella and Robert Smith are more than just football players. The duo also makes up two-fifths of the Team Impact Fellows. 

Team IMPACT is an organization that tackles the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious and chronic illnesses by matching them with a college athletic team. Through a two-year therapeutic program that complements their medical treatments, children develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.

Along with the other Fellows (Belle Bressler, Maddie Naumann, and Sophia LeBlanc), Pecorella and Smith represent Team IMPACT to collaborate with the athletic teams, athletic department, and the greater campus community to raise awareness and increase program participation. 

A few weeks ago, Pecorella and Smith sat down with Maryland Made's Nate McGill on the organization's podcast to discuss a wide range of topics, including their football origin stories, what it means to be more than an athlete, and, of course, their work with Team Impact. 

As told on the Maryland Made Podcast, Pecorella first got involved with Team Impact in late 2020 and early 2021 when his former teammate Brian Cobbs, who was the team representative at the time, asked Pecorella to take over his role when he graduated and moved on.

Pecorella admits he wasn't entirely sure what he was getting into but knew it would be something special.

"I didn't really know much about it, but I knew that it was an organization doing great things," he said.

Once he officially became Maryland Football's team representative, Pecorella began spending more and more time with the team's Team Impact kid, Cal Taylor—becoming increasingly inspired as time went on. 

"Over these last two years, Cal and I have become really, really close," Pecorella said. "They tell you that you join Team Impact to help kids who are going through chronic illnesses and struggles. But the reality is, they do so much more for you than you'll ever do for them."

Pecorella has been particularly galvanized by Cal's attitude and outlook on life, despite having to endure rounds of chemotherapy at just 10 and 11 years old.

"What he goes through is something that only one and a million kids have. To see him attack it with a smile everyday is truly inspiring. It's why I love Team Impact and why I pour so much devotion into it everyday."

In 2022, Pecorella became a Fellow within Team Impact, leaving an opening for the team representative role. In stepped Smith, who wasn't even sure what Cal's story was initially. 

"I just knew he was a cool little cat who was at practice a lot," Smith recalled.  

Similarly to Pecorella, it didn't take long for Smith to become enamored with the entire Team Impact organization.

"With Team Impact, they match the kid with the whole team, and then that kid truly becomes a part of your team, part of your family," Smith said. When I understood that, I wanted to be all in." 

Smith has also continued deepening his relationship with Cal, spending time throwing the ball with him after practice and even developing their own personal handshake. It's that way for the entire team as well.

"Everybody knows Cal," Smith said. "All the way from (starting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa) down to the freshmen that just got here because Cal is a part of our team. We're blessed enough to have a relationship with a kid like that. To be able to have that spirit, that soul, within our locker room, you can't even begin to explain the impact that he has on us."

Cal Taylor and University of Maryland President Darryll Pines at the 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl.

Led by Pecorella and Smith, the football team has participated in several cool events with Cal, including a Team Impact Halloween Party. 

Pecorella particularly remembers taking Cal to a men's basketball game where he got to sit courtside with men's basketball team Impact kid Ben. During the game, Cal and Ben were introduced on the big screen and received a loud round of applause from the crowd, making both of the kid's days.

For Smith, one of the most significant moments that stands out with Cal was when head coach Michael Locksley let everyone know at the end-of-year team banquet that Cal was coming to Charlotte with the team for the Duke's Mayo Bowl. Cal immediately burst into tears out of joy.

But for both guys, the bigger events pale compared to the daily moments and experiences they get to share with Cal. 

"It's gotten to the point where it's not really about events with Cal because he's always there," Pecorella said. "He's part of our team. If there's 121 guys, he's part of that 121."