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Dominic Bramante lived the first 36 years of his life not knowing who he was. He thought he was Italian — like the rest of his family.

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Dominic Bramante, a linebacker coach for the Florida Firecats, runs a defensive drill for warm up in the beginning of a team practice at Germain Arena in Estero on Tuesday. It is Bramante's first season with the Firecats and his goal is to become the first Native American Indian coach in arena football.
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Kevin Bouis, left, head coach of the Florida Firecats, and Dominic Bramante, linebacker coach for the team, talk during a team practice at Germain Arena in Estero on Tuesday. Bramante's goal to become the first Native American Indian coach in arena football.
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Dominic Bramante, a Linebackers Coach for the Florida Firecats directs a running drill during the Florida Firecats practice in preparation for an away game in Daytona Beach on July 3, 2008. Bramante's goal is to become the first Native American Indian coach in arena football.
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Florida Firecats assistant coach Dominic Bramante displays a set of blood-stained wooden pegs used to pierce his chest and back in a ceremonial sun dance the summer, the third in which he has participated.
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Florida Firecats assistant coach Dominic Bramante sits surrounded by his family, daughter Trinity Goombi, 15, son Franco Bramante, 15, his wife Elizabeth French, son Smitty French, 17, daughter Emeri Tippeconnie, 15, and son Orion French, 5, clockwise from left, at the Best Western Naples Plaza Hotel, their home away from their Fort Cobb, Okla., home.
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Florida Firecats assistant coach Dominic Bramante, center, instructs his players during practice on Thursday, July 9, 2008, at Germain Arena in Estero.
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Florida Firecats assistant coach Dominic Bramante, right, gathers with his players during practice on Thursday, July 9, 2008, at Germain Arena in Estero.
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Florida Firecats assistant coach Dominic Bramante, 43, is the newest member of the team's coaching staff. Raised by an Italian adoptive family in New Jersey, Bramante discovered his Native American heritage at the age of 36, subsequently immersing himself in his lost identity. Much of his strength on the football field and as a family man comes from faith he has discovered in his Native American roots.
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