"In my younger years, it was amazing to just be on the field in certain packages and special teams. But this year, I understand it's not just about being out there, but being out there and leading the rest of the group, doing my job, and being good at it." - Tom Rehfeld 

August 29, 2019 – Season Opener 

Arm-in-arm with his teammates on the walk to center field, Tom Rehfeld couldn't help but take the moment in. Captains call the coin toss, and the letter "C" was now embroidered into his jersey.

Five years into his Western Illinois football career, he was moments away from his first career start.

"It was an awesome feeling and such an honor," said Rehfeld. "It wasn't like I progressed from a part-time role to a starting role and then the captaincy, it all kind of clicked at once. I was really excited about [the game] and just amped that I was able to get out there with the guys on defense and lead them." 

Rehfeld swears by the creed, "Hard work pays off." With his name sitting second and third on Western's depth chart behind former captains and fellow linebackers Brett Taylor and Quentin Moon, Rehfeld had his work cut out for him. Taylor graduated as the 2017 Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the third-best tackler in school history while Moon finished his senior season ranked ninth in the nation in solo tackles. 

Rehfeld itched to be on the field, but didn't sulk, and instead took the time to learn and grow. 

"I had to do the same things as the older guys and replicate what they did, whether that was film study or being in the weight room or extra conditioning after practice. I just followed them and let them be my role model.

"You've got to work for it, and it will come. I put so much time and effort into everything, and I was always ready to go. Always ready if the guy in front of me went down or needed a breather. Hard work pays off. Being consistent, doing your job, working hard, and giving great effort is what got me to where I am and why I'm getting this opportunity this season."

The stat line from Rehfeld's first start: 4 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass breakup, and 1 quarterback hurry. He has started all five games this season and currently leads the Leathernecks' defensive core in TFLs (4.5) with the third-most tackles (31) -- the tackle mark nearly triples the total from his first three years of play combined.

RN Rehfeld

It should also be noted that Rehfeld is one of eight on Western's roster who already has his bachelor's degree in hand. Passing the NCLEX, a nationwide licensing examination, on the first try, he is a registered nurse and quite possibly one in a handful, if not the only, football student-athlete currently playing with those credentials. 

He's a team captain that can also check vitals, draw blood, and administer other aid if needed. 

"I had to get [the certification] out of the way so that I could play this season. Otherwise, I'd be studying for it right now and that wouldn't be good for either," he laughed.  

His path to nursing began in the eighth grade when his older brother Billy was involved in a car accident that placed him in the hospital for three months.

"I was probably at his bedside daily and saw how nurses work. It wasn't just the mechanical duties of the job, but seeing how much they actually care about the patients and how much they can really make or break someone's day depending on how well or how poorly the job is done. It was cool to see my brother progress. [The nurses] helped him stay positive on his worst days."

The goal is to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, but first, he'll stock up on experience in a trauma or intensive care unit. 

"You're on your toes. With nursing, you see so many different things and learn so quickly because it's crunch time and you've got to go. It's exciting. 

"Football and nursing have so many similar personality traits needed to be successful - leadership and communication skills, accountability, and time management. But also, simply caring. I think that's my best attribute."

Rehfeld puts in the extra effort because he cares to be the best student-athlete, teammate, and nurse.