Family and Football: Willam Wallace Morgan’s Story

My Grandfather William Wallace Morgan always loved Football, however more importantly he truly loved his family and his community. He positively impacted the lives of everyone around him. (Even Ohio State Buckeye fans) He was a huge Penn State Football fan. He was big on family values and was a very righteous man. He was also a dedicated man. If there was a task he felt compelled to accomplish nothing could get in his way. His biggest feat was making sure that his wife, children, and grandchildren all felt loved and cared for.

It was very important to him that we all knew that he was proud of us when we accomplished our goals. His biggest feat as an athlete was walking on to Case Western Reserve’s Varsity Football Team. Not only did he make the team, he also became their starting Quarterback from 1948 to 1950. While Case Western has no player statistics for any player during this time period I know he played great football and was a team captain. (This information has been confirmed by Jill Tatem Head of Archives at Case Western University) This was after he didn’t make his former High School team because the coach told him that he was too thin and too small. Instead of letting this deter him he turned it into motivation to play at the next level, and began to work out harder, and run several miles a day. The hard work certainly paid off, and after football was a quality he inspired everyone to believe in. ( Fun fact: during his era, there weren’t specific numbers given to specific players at specific positions in college. He wore 63 and played Quarterback. That would be interesting to watch in today’s college game)

When I played football in Middle School, and High School He told me to work harder if I wanted to run faster. He told me to get more reps in if I wanted more playing time. As simple as it sounds he was right, and the hard work did pay off. He trained me. While I would run 3 miles a day, he would still walk 3 miles during training in his late 70s and early 80s. He would even lift weights with me at the gym. I, unfortunately, didn’t play football at the next level, and it became quite obvious my junior year that while I was a gifted athlete like he was, I was far better at baseball. Despite his love, passion, and preference for football, he wanted to help me achieve my goal of playing baseball in college. That is simply the type of man he was. He certainly would have preferred it if I had been better at football than baseball, but decided to help me reach my full potential in baseball. He was a selfless, and kind man. My senior year at LWA we focused solely on baseball. Thanks to his dedication as my trainer, and more importantly my grandfather I played extremely well and was scouted by a few Universities. He gave up his dream of me playing college football and helped me with my dream. He did the same thing for my Uncles, and my mother as well when they each set out to achieve their goals, and follow their own dreams.

He was there to support us, and help us even when he originally had a different goal for us each. Being Selfless in such a remarkable way was a trait he always had, and one he passed down to us all. He even passed on a dream of his own for his family when he was in his football prime. It is known in my family that he could have easily played Quarterback in the NFL, but decided to pass on the opportunity so he could have a family, and support his family. Had NFL players at that time made more money I may have written an entirely different article. NFL players in the 50s made an average of only 6 thousand dollars per season. My grandfather made far more than that as a salesman and was able to comfortably support his family. I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for my grandfather, and the example he set. I’m eternally grateful, and I know I will see him again someday. For some reason, I believe we will be throwing the football around.

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