Courtesy of Morgan State Athletic Communications
The medical crisis impacting the nation and the world has caused sports across the globe to come to a standstill for the time being. For example, the Olympics scheduled for the summer of 2020 in Japan has been postponed until 2021.
While we wait on the sports world to get back on track, this is a good time to revisit the illustrious past of Morgan Athletics. Over the next few weeks we will tap into the archives for historic game recaps and stories.
Here's what was reported on November 29, 2007:
Simpson Runs Away With MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Hhonors
BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) top postseason football honor announced today.
The Bears' senior running back Chad Simpson was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Year. Simpson leads a list of (4) four Bear members selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced its All-Conference First and Second Teams. The MEAC's head coaches and sports information directors made the selections.
Simpson joins the Bears' Darrell Coulter, who won the award in 1979, and Bradshaw "The Big Show" Littlejohn, who won the award in 2003.
It marked the second time MSU head coach Donald Hill-Eley has had a MEAC Player of the Year selection.
"It's definitely an honor for the young man who has worked hard ever since joining our program and has really done a good for us," said coach Hill. "He's a tremendous young man and it's good to see our University prepare him to achieve such an honor. I feel really good about that."
Simpson, a Miami native, was one of the premier running backs in the nation throughout the 2007 season. The 5-10, 210 pounder finished as the MEAC's leading rusher and set a single season school record by accounting for 1,402 yards.
Simpson ranked 9th in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision by averaging 127.5 yards per game, led the MEAC in scoring (90 pts), and ranked 2nd in all-purpose yards by averaging 161.8 yards per game.
Indianapolis Colts
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Simpson accounted for five 100-yard games and two 200-plus yard games, including a career-high 221 yard performance against Winston-Salem State. Simpson was selected MEAC Player of the Week three times.
Simpson became the 4th leading rusher in MSU history by completing his two year career at Morgan State with 2,197 yards.
The All-MEAC First Team selections included running back Chad Simpson and defensive end Bryan Wilson, while the All-MEAC Second Team consisted of offensive linemen Nathan Soto and Dwayne Delaney.
Bear Notes:
? Simpson was selected to the 2007 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Coaches' All-America Team
? Simpson became the ninth All-American selection at Morgan State and the first in almost 15 years (Matthew Steeple, 1993)
? He was the 4th leading rusher in school history by completing his two-year career at Morgan State by accounting for 2,197 yards and 144 points.
? Named to the inaugural Boxtorow/BASN Black College All-American Team
? Honorable mention to The Sports Network's FCS All-America Team
? Simpson became the 4th leading rusher in MSU history by completing his two year career at Morgan State with 2,197 yards...he currently ranks 6th.
? He ranks 3rd on the school's all-time leaderboard in career rushing TDs (23)
? Had career-high 41 carries for season-high 221 yards and scored on a 33 yard touchdown run vs. Winston-Salem State (9/15) and was selected MEAC Offensive Player of the Week
? Was selected 2nd Team All-MEAC in 2016 ... Recorded 147 carries for 795 yards and scored nine touchdowns
? Simpson is one of 3 MSU players to be selected as the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year ... the other two were QBs Bradshaw "Big Show" Littlejohn (2004) and Darryl Coulter (1979)
? He was originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and also played for the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers