USA Football

Morlon Greenwood believes in the concept that it’s better late than never.

 

For Greenwood, a 6-foot, 238-pound outside linebacker for the Houston Texans, that was the case in his high school career.

 

Greenwood was born in Jamaica and at age 11 moved to the United States.

 

One of 12 children with seven brothers and four sisters, he picked up all-county and all-state honors as a senior at Freeport High School in New York. He was a Super Prep all-northeast selection. But he didn’t play football until his junior year. His assistant wrestling coach convinced him to try out for football. He was a state wrestling champ as a senior in the 215-pound class.

 

“I’m very glad when I came out,” Greenwood said. “Right now, I’m coming into my seventh season. My gym teacher and wrestling coach in high school thought I should play football. He got me to come out for football. It was a big decision for me to make. I didn’t know anything about football. I didn’t know what a first down was. The coach was asking me what I do on first down. I couldn’t answer him since I didn’t know what a first down was.

 

“They said that wherever the football is, go get it.”

 

Greenwood soon caught the coaches’ eyes for his ability to go after the ball.

 

“We had a successful high school football program,” Greenwood said. “The first year, we were 7-1, made it to the playoffs and lost in the first round. The second year, we went to the playoffs again. We had a good program. We had good coaches. They set a huge standard for players to always work hard, be disciplined and do your best. I had strict high school coaches who knew what they were talking about.

 

“They were always talking about helping players and it helped me in building a foundation. It helped me in my entire football career. To make the next jump, you just have to keep working hard. On a higher level, the competition is a lot greater and a lot harder. The competition really increases. My high school days really helped me a lot.”

 

After playing college football at Syracuse, Greenwood was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round (88th pick overall) of the 2001 draft. He became a free agent in March 2004 and was re-signed by the Dolphins. He became an unconditional free agent March 21, 2005, and was signed by the Houston Texans.

 

After six seasons, he has compiled 612 tackles and six sacks. He finished second on the team in tackles in 2006 behind NFL defensive rookie of the year DeMeco Ryans with 110, including 84 solo. He recovered a career-high three fumbles while also causing a career-high two fumbles.

 

In 2005, Greenwood played and started at middle linebacker in all 16 games, registering a team-leading and career-high 144 tackles, a career best two sacks, five passes defended, one forced fumble and the first two fumble recoveries of his career.

 

In 2004, he started seven games at strongside linebacker and eight at weakside linebacker for the Dolphins and had a career-best 133 tackles.

 

Greenwood played in 14 games as a rookie for the Dolphins and started 12 at strongside linebacker, while totaling 70 tackles and one sack.

 

He was a four-year starter at Syracuse and had 308 career tackles while earning first-team All-Big East honors after having 98 tackles. He was all-league as a junior with 91 tackles and one sack.

 

Greenwood goes back to his old high school whenever the chance is there.

 

“My parents still live there,” he said. “I always see my high school coach and we talk frequently. When I signed my contract with the Texans, I donated money for a new weight room at my high school. I wanted to give something back. I’ll be starting a football camp to give something back that way too.”

 

Greenwood has some advice for high school players who aspire to play in the NFL.

 

“I tell them that I remember when I was in high school,” Greenwood said. “I watched TV and they were talking about Emmitt Smith. It occurred to me that every high school player’s dream was like mine. You have to dedicate yourself and then it will happen to you. Remember, all of the NFL players now were in high school at one point. They all had hopes and dreams. Don’t sell yourself short. Believe it and you will achieve it.

 

“I tell them to believe in themselves and not give up on their goals and dreams. If they work hard, they will have success. I listened to my parents and coaches. I’m glad I did. It isn’t easy and it will take a lot of hard work. You have to dig deep. You have to keep working hard. And you have to believe in yourself.”

 

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Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial.