Wow, I can’t believe there are NFL players from my hometown of Fort Morgan, Colorado! Growing up I was never much of a sports fan, but I have always had a deep admiration for certain athletes who come from lesser-known towns like mine. I grew up listening to stories of the people who left Fort Morgan to go pro in the NFL and wondering what that could be like.
Today, I’m proud to say that there are five NFL players from Fort Morgan, with the most notable being offensive tackle Ryan Harris. Ryan was drafted in 2007 by the Denver Broncos and had a six-year career in the NFL. He appeared in the Super Bowl for the Broncos in 2011, which is a pretty huge accomplishment. He is now retired after spending time with teams such as the Chiefs, Texans, and Steelers.
Another notable NFL player from Fort Morgan is Jacob Tamme, who was drafted in 2008 by the Indianapolis Colts. Tamme was a tight end who spent time with the Colts, Falcons, Broncos, and Rams before retiring in 2018. He was a reliable player and was often a go-to guy for Peyton Manning during his days in Indianapolis.
California born running back Jamize Olawale also has ties to Fort Morgan. He attended high school there before heading to nearby University of North Texas to play college football. Olawale was drafted in 2012 by the Cowboys and has since been playing for the Raiders, where he currently is the starting running back.
To the surprise of some people, linebacker Mike Mohamed also hails from Fort Morgan. He attended Cal before being drafted in 2011 by the Houston Texans. Mohamed has spend time with the Bears, Titans, and Jets before retiring in 2018.
Finally, we have kicker Matt Prater from Fort Morgan who was drafted in 2006 by the Lions. Prater is still active and currently plays for the Lions. He has a sure-footed leg, which is why he has remained with the Lions for all these years.
These five players are the shining stars when it comes to NFL players from Fort Morgan. I have nothing but pride when I think about the road they have traveled to reach their goals. Not only have they inspired me with their incredible success, but they have also shown that no matter where you come from, you can achieve great things if you believe and strive for greatness.
Beyond their individual successes, these players have united the town of Fort Morgan in a way that a championship team could never do. It’s great to watch all five of them on the big screen and feel so proud of our little hometown that could.
When they made it to the NFL, they kept their hometown in mind and supported our local teams and organizations. I love seeing that our athletes are willing to come back home and give back, as it shows that they really haven’t forgotten where they came from and are trying to be role models to the next generation.
I always dreamed of one day becoming an NFL player but when I look at the success of these players from Fort Morgan, I realize that it is possible to do anything if you put your mind to it. I’m thankful that they serve as a great example of what hard work and dedication can do. They also prove that big dreams can come true even when you come from a small town like Fort Morgan.
It’s amazing to see how far these five NFL players have come and how far they will go in the future. Each of them were able to push through the odds and prove to the world that you don’t have to come from a big city to make it to the big stage. Fort Morgan other native players should be proud of how these five players brought glory to their hometown, and I am sure of the fact that they shall inspire many more to follow their footsteps in the near future!