When you look at 6’6, 270 pound defensive end, Morkeith Brown you see a very massive, tough, strong football player who has dominated the football field since his freshman year at Temple. The surprising thing is that you never hear about is his journey that he had to take to get on the Owls football team. When coming out of Central Dauphin High School, no one was recruiting the massive defensive stud, why? That is a good question, but Morkeith had a different plan on his mind than playing football. Morkeith enlisted in the United States Army and served 14 months in Afghanistan, fighting for our country. So how did a young man, go from fighting for our country and make it on a division 1 football program? That is what I wanted to find out myself, so I took the time to contact Morkeith and ask him some questions that really haven’t been too published, but I think should. Any person that puts his life on the line every day for our freedom should be recognized, because they don’t get the attention they deserve. Not only should Morkeith get recognized for his abilities defending our country, but also for the Temple defense. Morkeith finished his senior season as the team captain, who started all 13 games and finished with 40 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble. Morkeith played tight end the year before that starting on the team, and making a few starts for the Temple offense. He is a true leader on the field and a true hero off the field, so let’s get to the questions for Big Morkeith.
Gridiron Soldier, Morkeith Brown, DE, Temple
What was your most memorable moment coming out of Central Dauphin East High School?
Basically, graduating high school, I didn’t take high school as serious as I should have. So graduating, was a very big step for me.
How many teams were recruiting you out of high school for football?
None, I played both Tight End and Defensive End but didn’t have any teams calling for me.
When you came out of high school, you enlisted in the military and were sent to Afghanistan for 14 months, what was that experience like?
It was a very crazy experience, it showed how great people in the United States had it. You don’t know when your next meal coming in other countries, you have little kids walking around with guns, you never know what is going to happen. Some of my friends were killed, one day you were talking with them, the next day they were going out in a casket. Over there you are a team, you have to be a team or else you will be killed. You have to be honest, it shows you how to be honest with yourself and others. You always have to stay positive, you never want to be to blunt about it. It showed me that you can’t be selfish, I try to always show others that it is not good to be selfish.
What do you think you learned most from that experience, if you were to tell a young kid?
I learned that I don’t know everything. As a young kid you think you know everything, and really you don’t.
Why did you choose Temple?
A friend of mine, directed me to Lackawanna Junior College for a semester just for school, but I noticed they had a football combine coming up. I went to a football combine, Mid-west football combine and I went out there and did some offensive and defensive drills. There were tons of teams that contacted me. Temple contacted me and wanted me to go there, since it was close to my home, and I had been away for 14 months, I thought it would be the best decision for me because my family could still come see me in the football games.
What was your most memorable moment in college?
Being around my teammates. It is a bond that no one will ever truly understand until you are there. We have been together 24/7 and spent years with each other, technically they are my brothers. I love my teammates, and I feel that if I need something they would provide it for me and vice versa. I see them more than my own family, and I love each and every one of them.
Where have you been training in the offseason?
Me and Bernard Pierce who both have the same agent (Marty Magid), told us that we should train together because being with someone that you know makes you feel more comfortable. He knew that we are able to push each other to get through the tough times because our bond. We trained in Atlanta at Paul Boyle’s Sports Performance and it was a great experience.
Who was the toughest player you ever played up against?
My own teammates Muhammad Wilkerson, and Elijah "Peanut" Joseph when I was playing Tight End. Both of them were extremely talented players.
What was the most traumatic thing that has ever happened in your life? How did you overcome it?
Was losing my Uncle, whose birthday was yesterday, died on a motorcycle accident. This happened like September 6th, 2001, and that was really tough. He was a father figure in my life, and that was hard to lose him.
What was your favorite NFL team growing up?
If you could meet one person dead or alive; who would it be and why?
I would want to meet with my Uncle again. He was a football player who played at ECU and the CFL, and if he was alive today I would have him at every workout I have. He is the one that got me into football, and I would take him with me everywhere.
If it was your last meal on earth, what would it be?
Some of my Mom’s cooking, whatever she cooks
Have you been hearing where NFL teams have you projected in the draft?
I am not sure, where I will be projected, some teams said I was a draftable player, but I haven’t heard where at.
When you talk with NFL teams, what do you tell them you will bring to their team?
I tell them that I am a hard worker, and never take a play off. I will play offense, defense or special teams, I don’t care what I have to do, I will do it for them, the same way I served my country. I will serve them to the best of my ability.
Do you have any pre game rituals?
I usually put my music on and think angry thoughts.
Do you have any hobbies?
Play Call of Duty video game, I like skiing, I love to travel and go places, play basketball and I am a movie guy. I could order movies and watch them all day.
If you were to find a genie lamp and get three wishes, what would they be?
First would be for my mom to have no worries on how she is going to pay her next bills, financially, second for my Uncle to be back alive, and lastly for my grandmother to be back alive.
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