Local hero and Mobile Loosehead Prop, Kyle Ciquera, Nicknamed ‘The Eagle’, Re-Signs with the Free Jacks
Free Jacks Announce ‘Mullets and Mustaches for Mental Health’, in support of National Suicide Prevention Week
BOSTON — September 4 2020 — The symbolic silhouette of Kyle Ciquera will continue to etch itself into New England sporting history as the Free Jacks announce the re-signing of this tremendous local talent for the 2021 season of Major League Rugby. The 23-year-old, 6’0”, 260lb loosehead prop rocks one of the best mullets and mustaches in professional sports, and the Free Jacks are excited to see Kyle back for another season.
“To return home for the 2021 season and play for the New England Free Jacks is a tremendous honor and it is a privilege to be a part of this organization,” said Ciquera. “As a New England lad, to represent my region as a professional rugby player is a dream come true and I can’t wait for the season to get started. More minutes, more fans, and more mullet on the menu this year.”
Kyle featured three times in the abbreviated inaugural season for the Free Jacks, coming off the bench against RUNY, the Utah Warriors and the San Diego Legion. Kyle made his debut for the Free Jacks in 2019 against the Connacht Eagles in the Cara Cup, called in as an injury replacement. As a young prop just out of college Ciquera impressed in his two appearances, with the second off the bench against Leinster A. During the Cara Cup, Kyle showed his energetic and mobile style of play, carrying 8 times against the Irish sides, successfully breaking the gainline 75% of the time.
“‘The Eagle,’ as Kyle is known in these parts, had a quick rise in 2020, playing a preseason match with the New England Independents one weekend then suiting up in the starting lineup for the Free Jacks the next week,” commented Performance Manager, Tom Kindley. “The Independents side functioned just how we had hoped in this regard and provided Kyle the opportunity to play for the Free Jacks.”
“Ciquera impressed our international front row trio of Hatakeyama (Japan), Brighouse (Samoa) and Purpura (USA),” added Kindley. “He recorded three appearances off the bench during the shortened season and showed his drive to learn and develop. We look forward to seeing where the young prop forward’s continued application takes him.”
From Putnam, Connecticut, Ciquera attended Bishop Hendricken High School until 2015. He played football and hockey and picked up rugby in 9th grade. Kyle then attended St Bonaventure University from 2015-2019, majoring in Finance, Business Administration, and Management. He was a three-time 1st team D1A Rugby East All-Conference, and a three-time Collegiate All-American.
Kyle and the Free Jacks today announced the Mullets and Mustaches for Mental Health campaign to raise awareness, fight stigma, encourage understanding, and fund education programs to ensure hundreds of thousands of families, individuals, and educators get the support and information needed on mental health. Free Jacks around the world can directly support the National Alliance on Mental Illness via the team’s fundraising page at https://donate.nami.org/profile/55548
Want to get involved? We encourage you to participate in the Mullets and Mustaches campaign by donning a mullet, mustache, or hairstyle for National Suicide Prevention Week, September 6th – September 12th. With the best mullet and mustache combination in sports, our very own Kyle Ciquera will be leading the charge. All members of the Free Jacks’ community can submit their best photos to info@freejacks.com or tag us, @NEFreeJacks on Instagram or Twitter. Submissions to the Mullet and Mo competition will be judged by the Eagle himself, Kyle Ciquera at News & Brews on Thursday, September 10th. The winner will receive the Eagle supporter’s bundle – all proceeds from the hat, mullet replica and T-shirts to go towards this important fundraiser.
Join Kyle and the Free Jacks community for a virtual meet and greet, “News & Brews,” Thursday, September 10th. Grab a Free Jacks IPA and join the virtual gathering and get to know the newest Free Jacks and the returning players. RSVP using the link here: https://freejacks.com/news-and-brews/.
###
About The Free Jacks: The Free Jacks are an aspiring and innovative live events, media, and consumer products organization. The core brand in the portfolio is The New England Free Jacks, the humble hard-working free-spirited professional rugby team competing in the emergent and exhilarating Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier North American professional rugby competition. For more information please visit www.FreeJacks.com