What happens when football and law enforcement collide?  I had the pleasure of meeting San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy George Anagnostopoulos, and learned there are many similarities with the two.  Anagnostopoulos, was raised in San Bernardino, and from an early age, wanted to help the area become better.  You could clearly see, one of his biggest joys is being a graduate of Aquinas High School, following in the footsteps of his father whom also is an Aquinas graduate. 

When the football team welcomed a new Football Coach Josh Henderson during his time as a student at Aquinas, Anagnostopoulos said this was the beginning of new life in the football program.  After a stand out career in multiple sports as a student—which included a CIF championship in football—Coach Henderson consistently told the young Anagnostopoulos, one day he too would be a coach.  Coach Henderson was impressed with Anagnostopoulos character and leadership, and that the minute he graduated from Aquinas, he was offered a coaching job with the school’s JV team.  “I’ve always been in love with the game, and when he (Coach Henderson) gave me a chance to start coaching, I just took to it,” said Deputy Anagnostopoulos.

After working with Aquinas as a coach for two years, Anagnostopoulos would land in Fullerton for college.  It was during this time, he would attend a Servite football game, and knew he wanted to be a part of that programs coaching staff.  With the initiative forested in him during his youth, Anagnostopoulos sent an email message to Coach Thomas to introduce himself.  At 21 years old, he would find himself as a position coach in the coveted Trinity League at powerhouse Servite, coaching players like Corona native, Matt Kalil and DJ Shoemate. 

After a few years in Orange County, Anagnostopoulos would return home to San Bernardino, and with that a return to Aquinas.  When childhood friend and Aquinas classmate, Jordan Brusig eventually landed the Head Football Coach job, Anagnostopoulos knew it would be like his childhood days again.  He and Brusig played football together at Aquinas, “Jordan and I use to draw plays in our notebooks, when we were kids,” said Anagnostopoulos.  Not only is Coach Brusig a childhood friend, but they are family.  Coach Brusig wife is Georges’ wife first cousin.  But the family ties don’t stop there.  Defensive Coordinator Jake Henderson is his brother-in-law, married to his wife’s sister.  Anagnostopoulos actually coached Henderson, while Henderson was attending Aquinas.  Then there is the running back coach, Steve Paramo who is his wife’s uncle, also an Aquinas alumnus.  “That’s the best thing about being there, we’re around each other, we love each other, when you get to coach with your best friends, there’s nothing better than that,” says Anagnostopoulos.

I was fascinated with Deputy George Anagnostopoulos story.  It always intrigues me, when an athlete makes the transition into law enforcement.  As a youth coach, I came to realized when I was at sporting event, consistently about 30 percent of all the coaches or staffing worked in some compacity of law enforcement.  My own step father, whom is a retired officer, was a high school athlete.  I asked Deputy George Anagnostopoulos his thoughts, he told me “it’s the team aspect, a lot of us are Type A personalities, extremely competitive people.  A lot of us played sports, and I teach physical fitness program (at the Sheriffs training academy).  One the first day of training, I ask (trainees), how many of you played sports and 90% of them raise their hands.”   What was impressive was, George educated me that some of the officer trainees have played professional sports, or been Olympic athletes.

When our conversation moved back to helping the next generation, you can see this is where Deputy George Anagnostopoulos heart and passion is.  In addition to coaching the Aquinas football team, George dedicates his time in the community, at such events as Career Day at Aquinas, as well as Sober Prom Rally.  He feels having him as a familiar face on campus means more to the kids on campus, seeing one of their own now in law enforcement.  “I love the fact that the kids know me, and they know my heart,” says Anagnostopoulos. 

One thing that moved me personally, was when Deputy George Anagnostopoulos spoke about the turbulence after the civil unrested in the summer due to the George Floyd incident.  He knew in his heart he had to act and reach the team.  The Aquinas staff created a Zoom meeting for the Aquinas football team to attend.  He’s message was firm, and clear, he led the meeting, letting the student athletes know, “I am a cop, I’ll tell you this right now, I don’t know one cop, in the world, who is saying this is ok,” said Anagnostopoulos. 

The result of that meeting, I personally believe is the progress that can and is being made in the community.  One of Deputy George Anagnostopoulos Aquinas athletes, whom lives on Del Rosa—one of the most dangerous areas in the City of San Bernardino—words were telling and moving.  Deputy George Anagnostopoulos said he received a text from the athlete, that said, “I’m glad that I know you, because if I didn’t, I might think that all cops are like this.” That text, those simple words from a teenager, are why we created the #IEHeros in partnership with Thinkwise Credit Union and FOX Sports AM1350.  It is our pleasure to name San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy George Anagnostopoulos, as our #IEHeros.