TWO COMPETITIVE RUNNING BACKS COMEBACK TO "GIVE BACK"
Two of Duplin & Sampson Counties "best" running backs, former (RB) James Kenan Tiger Eric D. Graham, and Clinton DarkHorse Jerris Mcphail who had two classic on the field battles in their "run" for the State Championship in 1990, which Jerris ended up winning, came together today at Warsaw Middle School during Career Day on Friday in order to encourage students to "chase" their dreams.
Amazingly, both of them ended up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina after graduating from high school, where Graham played football at Winston-Salem State University and McPhail played football a few miles down the road at Wake Forest University.
After two-years, however, Graham decided to turn in his shoulder pads and head to the broadcast booth, where he sharpened his communication skills, while working at WSNC 90.5 FM, where he later would utilize them in order to become a sports reporter, lecturer, cartoonist, journalist and children's book author in the future.
McPhail, on the other hand, due to homesickness, decided to quit playing "the game he loved" despite receiving a full scholarship from the Demon Deacons. And, shockingly, even had thoughts about coming back home and just working at Smithfield plant in Clinton at the time.
But, after being encouraged to return and finish college, McPhail, who according to the Sampson Independent, had to overcome the obstacles of an abusive home, depression and being bullied in school during his childhood, decided to enroll in the University of Mount Olive, where he played basketball-before walking on the "GridIron" again in order to play "running back" for the East Carolina Pirates.
And, due to his, patience, perseverance, and hardwork, was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round with the 134th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, where he played for three years before injuries shortened his career)
Currently, McPhail is the owner of GridIron, a local 24-hour fitness center and a positive role model in the community. (by Eric D.Graham)
