Check out what the NFL stars from York, Chester and Lancaster counties are up to now
For sports fans, March 2020 was equal parts frustrating and humbling, eventful and uneventful.
The upcoming NFL football season, though, remains unscathed (for now).
Here’s a check-in on all the NFL stars from The Herald’s coverage area. The list includes a recent retiree, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, one of the biggest names in free agency — and more.
Stephon Gilmore (New England Patriots, DB)
Stephon Gilmore, a South Pointe High School graduate, has spent a lot of the offseason with his family in Charlotte.
Last season, Gilmore was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He started all 16 games he played in, and he notched six interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns), one fumble recovery and 53 total tackles.
During the season, prominent voices in and out of the league were singing the Rock Hill native’s praises. And one of those people, Darrelle Revis — a seven-time Pro-Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro selection and arguably the best defensive back ever — called Gilmore the best corner in the league “by far.”
In the offseason, Gilmore has been active on Twitter. His presence on social media largely consists of him showing love to USC Gamecock alumni/current players and talking about his son, Stephon Sebastian Gilmore (or “Bash” for short).
Jadeveon Clowney (Free Agent, DE)
After a year with the Seattle Seahawks, Jadeveon Clowney is one of the highest-profile players in free agency.
Clowney, another South Pointe graduate and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, played 13 games with Seattle in 2019. He recorded one interception (which he took for a touchdown), two fumble recoveries, 31 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
Clowney shares free agent headlines with quarterback Cam Newton (who was recently released by the Carolina Panthers), quarterback Jameis Winston, cornerback Logan Ryan and others.
Benjamin Watson (Retired, TE)
Last month, Benjamin Watson retired from football.
The 39-year-old tight end and Northwestern High School alum had just finished his 16th season in the NFL. He announced his retirement in a sentimental thread of posts on Twitter.
“I entered the league with a duffle bag and a dream,” one of his tweets read. “I exit holding the loving hand of my best friend, my wife of 14 years, and the seven tender gifts God has graciously given us to lead and love. They have supported me with all the love a husband and father could wish for and been an anchor of joy and perspective when the waves threatened to wash us away.”
Watson ended his NFL career with 547 catches for 6,058 and 44 touchdowns.
In an exclusive interview with The Herald a few months prior to his retirement, Watson was candid in speaking about his post-NFL career options.
“Well, I was a finance major at Georgia, so I think there’s obviously the MBA, but I’ve also wanted to take some seminary classes,” Watson said. “I love to learn about government. That is something that’s always interested me. I’m not sure if I’ll go the business route. Part of me wants to definitely get more biblical training. But also, (I’d like to) see how I can serve, not only local communities, but also serve the country. That may mean some sort of governmental involvement.”
Mason Rudolph (Pittsburgh Steelers, QB)
When Mason Rudolph inherited the starting job in Pittsburgh after an injury to starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, he became the first and only quarterback from a high school in York County, Lancaster County or Chester County to play a snap in the NFL.
In 2019, the Northwestern High School alum played in 10 games and threw 13 touchdowns, nine interceptions and for 1,765 yards.
Rudolph’s introductory season was consumed by an altercation between him and Myles Garrett that occurred Week 11, when Garrett and Rudolph fought after a play. In that instance, Garrett used Rudolph’s helmet to deliver a brutal blow to the quarterback’s head.
A few weeks after the incident, Garrett asserted that Rudolph used a racial slur against Garrett. Rudolph immediately went to Twitter and called Garrett’s accusation a “bold-faced lie.” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who rarely speaks publicly in the offseason, released a statement and even went on ESPN to defend his quarterback.
“I support Mason Rudolph not only because I know him, but also because I was on that field immediately following the altercation with Myles Garrett, and subsequently after the game. I interacted with a lot of people in the Cleveland Browns organization — players and coaches,” Tomlin said in the statement.
“If Mason said what Myles claimed, it would have come out during the many interactions I had with those in the Browns’ organization. In my conversations, I had a lot of expressions of sorrow for what transpired. I received no indication of anything racial or anything of that nature in those interactions.”
Anthony Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers, WR)
A few months ago, Anthony Johnson was in his former rival high school’s gym — watching his brother, Ger-Cari Caldwell, sign as a receiver to the University of South Carolina.
Johnson, a South Pointe graduate, signed a future’s contract with the Steelers in January. (His signing of the future’s contract commits him to playing for Pittsburgh in the upcoming NFL season.)
In his senior season with Buffalo in 2018, Johnson notched 57 receptions for 1,011 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Johnathan Joseph (Recently left the Texans, DB)
Johnathan Joseph, a 13-year NFL veteran, recently announced via Twitter that he was leaving the Houston Texans’ organization — where he’s spent the last nine seasons. He didn’t mention any plans for retirement, but he didn’t give any specifics for his future, either.
He only showed gratitude to “Texans Nation.”
“Lastly, I want to give a special thank you to the men in the locker room who I have built lifelong relationships with,” his statement said. “My teammates continue to make me as passionate about playing now as I was playing Pop Warner in Rock Hill.
“I look forward to continuing to play with the same passion and dedication to the game I love.”
Joseph, a Northwestern High School graduate, tallied one interception and 51 tackles in 14 games played in 2019.
Cordarrelle Patterson (Chicago Bears, WR)
In his first year in Chicago, Cordarrelle Patterson made 11 catches for 83 yards and ran the ball 17 times for 103 yards.
Patterson, of Northwestern High School, also notched 825 return yards, including a 102-yard touchdown return against the Saints in October.
Jaleel Scott (Baltimore Ravens, WR)
Jaleel Scott made one catch for six yards in the 2019 season.
The Rock Hill High School grad’s current contract with the Baltimore Ravens lasts through 2022. After that, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 8:02 AM.
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