Sammy Morris: Leader On And Off The Field
October 20, 1999 | Football
Oct. 20, 1999
By ANDY PENNEY, Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations
If the life of a student athlete is not already full of enough excitement, Texas Tech fullback Sammy Morris has made sure that his life is. The senior from San Antonio is juggling the life of a student athlete along with being a husband and a newly-crowned father.
Morris and his wife, Leslie, became the proud parents of their first child, Kiera, on Sept. 17. The arrival of their new, fragile baby girl, already sporting a full head of hair, is just another piece in the heart-warming return of Sammy Morris.
Morris' playing days at Tech began in 1996. He played in eight games that season, compiling more than 400 all-purpose yards and scoring five touchdowns. His game-winning, 81-yard touchdown reception against A&M at Kyle Field can still be seen on Raider Vision before every home game.
The touchdown against the Aggies had Morris on top of the world. Unfortunately, it would be the last touchdown Morris would score for a while. Problems in the classroom led to an academic suspension, leaving Morris uncertain of his future.
Two years away from the game of football, Morris had a chance to reflect on what was important to him. In 1997, Morris moved home with his family in San Antonio. He contemplated between continuing his childhood dream of playing in the National Football League or leaving football behind and joining the Air Force Academy.
"In '96, I was too worried about what Sammy wanted to do, and not what was best for my life," Morris said. "It was a selfish thing and I was not focusing. The stuff I was doing wasn't conducive to my goals of going to the NFL, or family, or anything. I was just wondering aimlessly.
"Those two years away were rough, especially in '97. My family was great while I was in San Antonio, and my parents just kept in on my heart that I still had goals. My brother Brien was in the Air Force, and he told me that wasn't what I wanted to do. He kept telling me, 'You really want to go to the NFL.' They all helped me stick it out in '97."
With the support he received from his family, Morris dedicated his life to Jesus Christ, a decision Morris says has changed his whole perspective on life.
"It was still tough in '98 being away from football, but I had a new peace because of 'W. C.: With Christ,'" Morris said. "As many times in my life that I felt God was tugging at my heart, He finally just took me and grabbed a hold of me. I finally had to rid of the old Sammy Morris and keep moving forward and do what God wanted to do with my life."
After the 1998 season, Morris regained his eligibility and returned to the practice field. His hard work in the classroom earned Morris the football team's Clint Ramsey Academic Effort Award following the season. He was also named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll for the fall semester.
Sammy and Leslie were married in Lubbock on Aug. 22, 1998. Sammy's faith in Christ eventually led Leslie into a strong faith of her own. The relationship between the two portrays their Christian beliefs.
"It's wonderful being married to a wonderful Christian guy that looks up to God and that's his main focus," Leslie said.
The time has past. Morris returned to Jones Stadium for the first time in more than two seasons, competing at the game he has loved since his playing days in the streets of San Antonio.
"I think Sammy has responded great because he has been through a lot," Texas Tech head coach Spike Dykes said. "Life is not always downhill. You've got a bunch of uphills and Sammy has had a good perspective. He never has quit believing in himself. He's done a nice job of preparing for this and it's a great opportunity and I think he's going to make the most of it. But he's really eager to play, he's waited a long time, and it's a big thrill for him, and I think it's obvious in the way he plays."
Many of the 53,513 on hand to witness Texas Tech's 21-19 upset of Texas A&M Oct. 2 had their first chance to see Morris in action. Morris showed no signs of rust, rushing for 170 yards on 33 carries, including his first touchdown of the season. His performance earned him Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. Red Raider fans had numerous reasons to show their emotion. But after all the high-fives, guns up, and goal posts down, Morris had other reasons to celebrate.
"Everyone has been calling it the return of Sammy Morris, and being able to come back and get a great victory against the fifth-ranked team in the nation was just a great feeling. It felt good to go out there on our home turf and bring the goal post down and get a victory," Morris said.
The heroics against the Aggies helped Morris stamp on the final exclamation mark in his climb back from a world full of doubt and denial to a testimony of perseverance. Morris's victory against adversity has helped him make it back to the top of college football. His new character and strength also plays a key role in his life away from the game, including his marriage and fatherhood.
The days of Sammy Morris are wearing thin in Lubbock. Red Raider fans will never know how many records Morris might have held if he would have played four years.
But the off-the-field story of Sammy Morris will live on much longer than any record. The determination and drive Morris has shown to make it back to the top has been an inspiration to many.
"Sammy was inspirational to me because of his strong belief to Texas Tech and his strong belief in this program," Dykes said. "He certainly paid the price and now I hope he has a chance to enjoy the fruits of really what dedication is all about."
"My main goals are to just go out and contribute to this team and continue to represent God the way I think He has called me to," Morris added. "I just want to represent Him and glorify Him with my life."