From The East Side
By Maurice Scott Jr.
For the St. Louis American
After absorbing a healthy portion of turkey on Thanksgiving day, I, along with my cousin Juan Brown – a former East St. Louis standout lineman (1979 State Champion Team) – took a quick flight to Kansas City to see two former East St. Louis Flyers, Montez Murphy and Damien Nash, do their thing in front of a nationally televised audience and 70,000 screaming Kansas City Chiefs fans. Murphy plays with the Chiefs and Nash currently starts for the Denver Broncos.
Wait, before someone calls Dr. Suggs (like that clown Willard Mitchom) who does something (Nobody knows are cares for the East St. Louis school district) asking that I be fired for not mentioning Damien Nash started his career at Riverview Gardens. Damien had a great career and a State Championship there.
But on Thanksgiving night, with all apologizes to the Riverview Gardens alumni; I was proud of these former Flyers who both overcame tremendous odds to suit -up in the National Football League. Both of these young men have been featured in this column numerous times, but a strange thing happened to the both of them only two weeks apart.
Both current and former NFL players doubted Nash, who asked to be released from his contract with the Tennessee Titans early in training camp. “You don’t ask to be released without proving yourself in the National Football League” said one former player. “But Damien was the one there everyday feeling as though he wasn’t getting a fair chance.”
“I had to take a chance,” said the Bronco running back. “I wasn’t going to get a opportunity there with the running backs returning plus drafting one in the second round. I knew that I could play in this league. I just needed the opportunity to display my ability on Sunday afternoons.”
In 2000, while at East St. Louis Senior High, Nash scored 143 points in one season, finishing fifth all-time behind Chris Moore who’s ranked #1 (192pts. 1991) and third (170/1990) respectively, Marceo Haywood (172pts/1992), Mike Cox (164pts/1985). He also finished 10th all – time on the Flyers rushing list in a single season (126 carries/ 1,266yds.) averaging 10.5yds. per rush.
On Thanksgiving night however, neither Nash nor his running mate Mike Bell could do any running from the Kansas City defense. Nash was limited to four carries for zero yards, and one catch for five yards.
“They (Kansas City defense) were ready tonight, they played well,” Nash said.
After the game in the Chiefs’ locker room, Murphy suited up for the game wearing #72 but didn’t make any tackles.
“I not happy about not contributing tonight but we got the victory and that’s what’s important,” Murphy said.
“We played well tonight on the defensive side of the ball and that’s good playing against this offense. It’s been a dream come true playing in the National Football League. The Lord has blessed me and I know that. I’m very grateful to many.”
Montez Murphy’s story also has been chronicled in this column. I was critical of the way one or two of his assistants handled the recruiting situation with Murphy while at Coffeyville Community College after Nash and Murphy committed to the Tigers from high school.
Murphy’s NFL career started after getting signed this summer by the Green Bay Packers as a free agent. After getting cut by the Packers after appearing in only two pre-season games, Murphy went back to Baylor University and worked out and stayed in shape while he and his agent worked the phones until someone called.
That someone was Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards. Murphy was activated against the Oakland Raiders and his team is 2-0 since. The 6’6” defensive end was a member of the Flyers state tournament teams in basketball as well helping former Flyers Darius Miles and Phillip Gilbert to consecutive Elite Eight appearances in 1999 and again in 2000.
Murphy also graduated from Baylor University with a degree in communication this past spring. Flyers head football coach Darren Sunkett was proud also of his two former players.
“I’m so proud of these young men, they have overcome tremendous odds to get were they are,” Sunkett said. “They deserve everything that’s coming to them.”
On the previous Sunday, Sunkett watched Christian Morton (Illinois), his former quarterback at Riverview Gardens, and Nash’s teammate play against the St. Louis Rams for the Carolina Panthers.
“As a coach and father myself I stress the importance of working hard to obtained your dreams,” he said. “These three guy’s reflect hard work and they are good young men.”
It had to be a treat for both families to see these young men participating in a game of that magnitude on Thanksgiving night in front of a national television audience and I’m sure the Nash and the Murphy families said an extra blessing prior to cutting the bird.