Marvin Andre Hargrove (born April 23, 1968) is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1990. After not being chosen in the draft, Hargrove received a position after personally appealing to the team's coach. In his first NFL game, he scored the only touchdown of his career. However, he only played six other games before being dropped from the team, ending his NFL career.
Hargrove grew up in Willingboro Township, New Jersey and attended Willingboro High School. His father was a bus driver, who was a long-time fan of the Eagles and a season-ticket holder. At high school, Hargrove was a star receiver. After graduation, he attended University of Richmond on a football scholarship. While he played well at Richmond, the school was a small school that was unable to compete against the larger competitors. In addition, Richmond's offense collapsed in his senior year, and the same year he had to sit out because of injuries. Because of his injury, his 40-yard dash time in front of the NFL recruiter was longer than expected. These factors, combined with his small size for pro football, resulted in him not being chosen for the 1990 NFL draft.[1]
NFL careeredit
Marvin Hargrove was a rare example of an undrafted player who walked into training camp and was chosen to play on an NFL team.[2] While other college players had given up on football, he continued to retain an agent, and showed up to Philadelphia Eagles training camp in June 1990. While originally staying with the fans, Hargrove took the opportunity to personally ask coach Buddy Ryan for a chance. Ryan had Hargrove run a 40-yard dash, which he completed in a respectable 4.5 seconds. Ryan then brought Hargrove to the team office to sign a contract in the event he was chosen for the team. This contract, however, did not indicate he would be chosen, and Hargrove knew this would be unlikely.[1]
At team practice camp, Hargrove greatly exceeded all expectations. He also became a favorite of both fans and teammates. As a result, Ryan picked Hargrove for the starting roster of a 1990 pre-season game. As other free agents signed, Hargrove was dropped from the roster, but Ryan suggested he wait for a call. After other players succumbed to injuries, Hargrove was reinstated as a backup receiver and punt returner. In a game against the Cardinals, he received a pass from quarterback Randall Cunningham, who decided mid-play to pass to Hargrove.[1] Hargrove then ran the ball thirty-four yards for his one and only touchdown.[2]
Hargrove played an additional six games in the 1990 season. His performance was adequate but not remarkable, until his last game. In a game against the Patriots, Hargrove missed two key passes, one of which resulted in an opposing touchdown. Hargrove was benched because of these errors, but his replacement also made significant errors. Hargrove was then brought back into the game, and despite a good punt return, coach Ryan chose to put him on waivers. While Ryan promised to put Hargrove on the team when there next was an opening, an opening never came, ending his NFL career.[1]
Personal lifeedit
Hargrove did not drink alcohol, accepting only a Coke at bars and parties. He also did not stay up late at night and never slept around, unlike most other players.
During his time in the NFL, his teammates pranked him by giving him a pill that resulted in blue urine, which the team doctor, who was part of the prank, claimed was a symptom of chlamydia. The team doctor told him that he got it from another player in the locker room and it could be cured by a vasectomy. His teammates shortly after admitted to the prank.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdeBowden, Mark (2007-12-01). Bringing the Heat. Grove/Atlantic, Inc. pp. 160–170. ISBN9781555846053.
^ abLongman, Jere (2005-09-13). If Football's a Religion, Why Don't We Have a Prayer?: Philadelphia, Its Faithful, and the Eternal Quest for Sports Salvation. Harper Collins. p. 17. ISBN9780060843724.
External linksedit
Pro-Football-Reference
January 01, 1970
marvin, hargrove, marvin, andre, hargrove, born, april, 1968, former, professional, american, football, player, played, wide, receiver, philadelphia, eagles, 1990, after, being, chosen, draft, hargrove, received, position, after, personally, appealing, team, c. Marvin Andre Hargrove born April 23 1968 is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1990 After not being chosen in the draft Hargrove received a position after personally appealing to the team s coach In his first NFL game he scored the only touchdown of his career However he only played six other games before being dropped from the team ending his NFL career Marvin HargroveNo 80Position Wide receiverPersonal informationBorn 1968 04 23 April 23 1968 age 56 Philadelphia PennsylvaniaCareer informationCollege RichmondUndrafted 1990Career historyPhiladelphia Eagles 1990 Raleigh Durham Skyhawks 1991 Career NFL statisticsReceptions 1Receiving yards 34Touchdowns 1 Contents 1 Early life 2 NFL career 3 Personal life 4 References 5 External linksEarly life editHargrove grew up in Willingboro Township New Jersey and attended Willingboro High School His father was a bus driver who was a long time fan of the Eagles and a season ticket holder At high school Hargrove was a star receiver After graduation he attended University of Richmond on a football scholarship While he played well at Richmond the school was a small school that was unable to compete against the larger competitors In addition Richmond s offense collapsed in his senior year and the same year he had to sit out because of injuries Because of his injury his 40 yard dash time in front of the NFL recruiter was longer than expected These factors combined with his small size for pro football resulted in him not being chosen for the 1990 NFL draft 1 NFL career editMarvin Hargrove was a rare example of an undrafted player who walked into training camp and was chosen to play on an NFL team 2 While other college players had given up on football he continued to retain an agent and showed up to Philadelphia Eagles training camp in June 1990 While originally staying with the fans Hargrove took the opportunity to personally ask coach Buddy Ryan for a chance Ryan had Hargrove run a 40 yard dash which he completed in a respectable 4 5 seconds Ryan then brought Hargrove to the team office to sign a contract in the event he was chosen for the team This contract however did not indicate he would be chosen and Hargrove knew this would be unlikely 1 At team practice camp Hargrove greatly exceeded all expectations He also became a favorite of both fans and teammates As a result Ryan picked Hargrove for the starting roster of a 1990 pre season game As other free agents signed Hargrove was dropped from the roster but Ryan suggested he wait for a call After other players succumbed to injuries Hargrove was reinstated as a backup receiver and punt returner In a game against the Cardinals he received a pass from quarterback Randall Cunningham who decided mid play to pass to Hargrove 1 Hargrove then ran the ball thirty four yards for his one and only touchdown 2 Hargrove played an additional six games in the 1990 season His performance was adequate but not remarkable until his last game In a game against the Patriots Hargrove missed two key passes one of which resulted in an opposing touchdown Hargrove was benched because of these errors but his replacement also made significant errors Hargrove was then brought back into the game and despite a good punt return coach Ryan chose to put him on waivers While Ryan promised to put Hargrove on the team when there next was an opening an opening never came ending his NFL career 1 Personal life editHargrove did not drink alcohol accepting only a Coke at bars and parties He also did not stay up late at night and never slept around unlike most other players During his time in the NFL his teammates pranked him by giving him a pill that resulted in blue urine which the team doctor who was part of the prank claimed was a symptom of chlamydia The team doctor told him that he got it from another player in the locker room and it could be cured by a vasectomy His teammates shortly after admitted to the prank 1 References edit a b c d e Bowden Mark 2007 12 01 Bringing the Heat Grove Atlantic Inc pp 160 170 ISBN 9781555846053 a b Longman Jere 2005 09 13 If Football s a Religion Why Don t We Have a Prayer Philadelphia Its Faithful and the Eternal Quest for Sports Salvation Harper Collins p 17 ISBN 9780060843724 External links editPro Football Reference Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marvin Hargrove amp oldid 1225327820, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
