Keeping the faith
Morgan State middle linebacker Ian McBorrough envisions what it would be like if he and Bears teammate Rico Kennedy make it on an NFLroster before the 2020 season begins.
It wouldn’t be a dream but a blessing for the two players, who are Christians.
“It would be a huge blessing,” McBorrough said. “We grew up in the program together since we got here, and I think our performance the last three years shows how serious we take this.
“We played side by side and we wanted this. We’re just operating on faith right now and looking forward to our blessing.”
Even though their agents have been contacted by several pro
teams, both players know they are underdogs and will probably get invited to an NFL camp as rookie free agents. They also have had limited time lifting weights because most gyms have shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. There is more.
Neither player was invited to the NFL scouting combine, and pro days were canceled at Morgan State and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It also appears as though the NFL will have to cancel the rookie and other minicamps throughout the summer.
Other players might be dismayed or give up. Kennedy and McBorrough just keep praying and grinding.
“You just play the hand you were dealt,” said Kennedy, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Does this virus situation hurt us? Probably, but this just isn’t our problem. It’s the whole world’s problem, and it’s so much bigger than football.
“I’m just willing to do whatever I have to do to make the team, take advantage of the opportunity. I just have to stay ready so when the phone rings I can take full advantage of the blessing.”
Most sports fans like overachievers such as Kennedy and McBorrough who might defy the odds. Kennedy’s story is even more special because he withdrew from Army West Point after one year and played college football at Morgan while married.
His wife, Destinee, moved to Baltimore with Kennedy two years ago. They have two children, Iyanna, 7, and, Ava, 3 months.
Kennedy was special on and off the field.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound outside linebacker was third in the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference last season with 105 tackles. He had 16 tackles for a loss and finished his career at Morgan with 51. His 19 career sacks were the fourth-most in school history.
“Rico is a playmaker,” McBorrough said. “He is an edge-rush guy and can play in the box, but bringing pressure is where he makes his money. The difference between us is that we can both play in the box, but I can cover while Rico brings that pressure.
“Alot of the players looked up to
Rico because a lot of them couldn’t have handled his situation. Rico is a family man and had to be mentally tough to handle the responsibility that comes with it.”
McBorrough started out as a strong-side linebacker in his freshman season and then was moved to weak side for two years.
Last season the Bears moved him to the middle where he led the team in tackles with 111, 65 of those solo. At 6-2 and 230 pounds, the Essex native is projected to play strong side in the NFL but McBorrough doesn’t want to be typecast.
Like Kennedy, he just wants a chance.
“I think I have a really good chance of making a team,” McBorrough said. “I am confident as a player but more as a person.”
According to McBorrough, the difference between great and good players is the mental attitude. He grew up admiring Ravens linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs as well as safety Ed Reed.
He also has a role model from Morgan.
A year ago, Bears offensive tackle Joshua Miles was a long shot to make it in the NFL but was drafted in the seventh round by the Arizona Cardinals. Miles made the team’s 53-man roster, and both McBorrough and Kennedy talk to him often.
“We talk as much as we can,” Kennedy said of Miles. “He is doing his thing and I am doing mine. He tells me to just keep the faith This is all part of God’s plan.”
And maybe the plan might be for both to play in the NFL.