They traded in their Fordham baseball and softball gloves for exam gloves. They took off their Fordham football helmets and donned protective masks. Instead of passing the ball, they hand out assists of a different nature. They run to danger instead of a finish line. They used to clear the way for running back, now they clear the way for emergency vehicles. They come from different sports but the one thing the former Fordham student-athletes have in common is that they are on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak. Doctors, nurses, policemen, EMT, firefighters, grocery store workers, they all are there when called upon, living out the Jesuit ideal of men and women for others.
 
Today we recognize former football Ram Jeremy Capello, GABELLI '01, a Supervisory Special Agent of the Complex Financial Crimes Unit at the Phoenix Division of the FBI.
 
Capella has been with the FBI for the past ten years. Prior to joining the FBI, he worked as a marketing executive for a large private equity firm after graduating from Fordham in 2001.
 
While the connection between the FBI and COVID-19 isn't readily apparent, Capello still has been doing his part in protecting the public during these trying times. He serves as the COVID-19 fraud coordinator for the Phoenix Division, triaging the numerous fraud tips and complaints funneling into the office.
 
"Criminals take advantage of any opportunity to steal people's money, personal information, or both, but this time they are using the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic to further their efforts," said Capello. "We have seen a steady rise in fraud schemes related to COVID-19, but remain vigilant in deterring, detecting, and investigating wrongdoing related to this pandemic. So far, we've seen a wide variety of fraud schemes, including healthcare fraud, price gouging, hoarding and advance fee schemes of scarce medical supplies, and counterfeit products, fake tests and treatments and most recently fraud schemes related to stimulus payments."
 
Capello circled back to his Fordham roots recently, working a case that involved someone allegedly trying to resell KN95 protective masks in New York City with a large mark-up.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected Capello professionally, it has also affected him personally.
 

"I have three children at home under the age of seven, so needless to say, it's been a bit of a challenge balancing an increased work-from-home schedule with online schooling requirements while essentially running what feels like a full-time daycare," said Capello. "From a work perspective, it has been extremely challenging on many fronts.  A large portion of a Special Agent's job is to be out in the public interacting with people, but this pandemic has forced us to alter our standard approach to our daily interactions within our own workforce as well as with individuals in the community."
 
As with most Rams on the front lines of the current crisis, Capello feels that his Fordham experience, both as a student and a student-athlete helped prepare him for his future.
 
"I truly enjoyed my four years at Fordham," said Capello.  "My experience both as a student and athlete better prepared me for life after college. Having to juggle school and athletics instilled a tremendous work ethic and internal drive to achieve greatness in everything I set out to accomplish. The challenging curriculum and thought-provoking professors prepared me to be more of a critical thinker and problem solver, skills which are put to the test daily in my current role as an FBI Special Agent. The Jesuit education principles have helped me become a better leader for my employees through the servant leadership model.  Most importantly however, the culture at Fordham, on and off campus, has better prepared me to effectively interact with individuals and groups across a wide spectrum of races, ethnicities, cultural diversities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The totality of my experience at Fordham was unparalleled and I thank the University for helping me achieve many of my personal and professional goals."
 
While COVID-19 has caused a lot of things to change over the past few months, one thing that Capello doesn't see ever changing in the FBI's commitment to protecting the American citizens.
 
"The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and devastating in many aspects, from the growing death toll, to the impact on the economy, and the myriad of challenges it has presented to the people all over the world.  Like many other natural disasters and pandemics, the COVID19 outbreak has brought out the best, and unfortunately in some cases, the worst in our society. The FBI will not tolerate bad actors who treat the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to profit or take advantage of people. We are asking all Americans to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to COVID-19 related schemes. We all must do our part to help each other out during this difficult time and slow the spread of this devastating virus."