Family and club keep Rapids’ Jack Price happy to remain in Colorado

Rapids Captain Jack Price has found his home-away-from-home of sorts in Colorado. So much in fact that he’s recently committed to staying with the club at least through another two seasons with the possibility of an additional two as well.

“Having the security of knowing you have a couple of years guaranteed it’s great for myself in this occasion,” said the fan-favorite midfielder in a recent chat with Burgundy Wave.

Entering his fifth season with the Rapids, Jack’s recent January contract extension comes after his previous agreement would keep him in burgundy through 2022, and now sees him set to wear the armband through 2023 with club options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

“(The extension) allows the club to have that belief in you and your ability, which is huge for confidence that the club trusts in me,” Price said. “Being the captain as well, they show a lot of faith in me. It makes me want to go out there and perform and give my all for the club because they’re backing me to be here a few more years.”

Price has already shown that commitment and dedication in Colorado, as evidenced by him being named the team’s MVP by the staff and teammates for each of his four years with the club.

“Jack has become the heartbeat of our team and one of the best midfielders in the league since his arrival four years ago,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “His leadership, selflessness, and elite set-piece deliveries have been a vital part of our on-field success, and we’re thrilled to secure his future in Burgundy.”

“Even though the first 18 months were tough,” admits Jack looking back at his arrival in Colorado, “I was playing every week, enjoying my football, and that’s all you can ask, especially as you get a little bit older. It’s still nice to know the club, Padraig, the gaffer and the coaching staff, the players they all believe in me, which is obviously a fantastic feeling.”

“In terms of football, it’s been great,” says the Shrewsbury United Kingdom native without hesitation. “It’s been the best decision I’ve made for my career to come out here and play – I don’t have any regrets.”

However, life on the pitch and in the locker room are just parts of the overall picture to Jack’s success and desire to strive for more with the Rapids in the next few years.

According to Price, the other two parts, most importantly, are what allowed him to pledge more time here – his partner Lauren and son Hugo.

“More on the family side (myself, Lauren, Hugo) we’re happy, (the Rapids) been great with us since we’ve come to America. As long as we’re happy as a family, that’s all I can really ask outside of football.”

“If for whatever reason Lauren wasn’t happy, or Hugo isn’t settling in, then it’s a different story,” says Jack, full of sincere praise for his partner. “The fact that she’s come out and sacrificed herself, not being able to see family and friends, honestly, it means a lot to me. Growing up with Hugo by herself a lot of times, especially when we’re in preseason, she does a hell of a job.”

“Honestly, it’s really easy to forget that side of it, even myself, you think we just get on with it as a family, but it can be tough. The last two years with covid, she never moans, she gets on with it, and a real credit to herself she’s just that sort of woman – she’s fantastic! It makes my job easier if life at home is happy; it’s a happy place to go home to.”