Raheem Morris honored in return to hometown

Minutes after entering to a standing ovation in a crowded room at Irvington High School, the youngest coach in the NFL stood on a stage, concealed by a curtain, before the festivities for Raheem Morris Day began.
He briefly greeted some of the 70 or so people there to see him before he was whisked away for a TV interview. But Ralph Steele couldn’t wait. He cornered Morris, the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach.

“You don’t know how proud you make me,” said Steele, who coached Morris in Pop Warner football. “I’m looking at videos of you and I’m thinking, ‘Ah, Raheem hasn’t changed a bit.’ You stay like that.”

Morris shook his head in disbelief.

“No doubt,” he said. “This is crazy. You all almost made me break down out there. I wasn’t expecting all this.”

Morris, a 1994 Irvington High graduate, made his first trip back to his hometown since being hired by the Buccaneers Jan. 17. He was honored with a key to the city and musical and dance presentations by current students.

But Morris’ appearance also served to start the school’s $1.3-million fundraising campaign aimed to repair weed-filled Matthews Field and its condemned track.

Morris said he will contribute $10,000 toward the project. Irvington athletic director Gerhard Sanchez said approximately $14,000 has already been raised. In addition, the school sold 100 tickets for a $75-per-plate dinner last night.

“The cause is a definite need,” Morris said. “It’s definitely something I want to have my name on.”

Sanchez said Irvington had to move two home games to Untermann Field in Newark last season because of unplayable conditions at Matthews. The last renovations to Matthews were done in 1990, Steele said. Sanchez thinks the timing is perfect because Morris serves as an ideal spokesman to gain attention to the problem.

Yesterday was a chance for Morris to relive memories with friends and family who have closely followed his ascension through the NFL coaching ranks.

“My feet still aren’t touching the ground,” said Hilton Vaughan, Morris’ father.

“A lot has changed,” former teammate and NFL linebacker Al Singleton said. “But he’s the type of person who has always been able to handle things in stride. He deserves it.”

Morris said he is proud the community honored his achievements, but also grateful for the fact those around him will not let him forget his upbringing in Irvington. Things like Raheem Morris Day are just new perks.

“You have to adjust,” Morris said. “And that’s what I’m doing every day I’m coaching. Even right now, adjusting to Raheem Morris Day is not the same. I’m used to coming in here, saying, ‘What’s up?’ and keep moving. But to come in and have family and friends clap for you, it’s a humbling experience. I can’t say enough about it.”

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