Content provided in partnership with

Not in his wildest dreams: Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter has evolved from an out-of-work player to a special teams contributor to a pivotal starter in the Super Bowl. Not even he would have believed it—

Sporting News, The, Feb 11, 2005 by Paul Attner

<< Page 1 Continued from page 1. Previous | Next

Hours after tearing his ACL late in the 2002 season, Trotter is hospitalized, convinced his career is over. The phone rings. "Trot, how are you doing?" asks Andy Reid. Trotter is stunned. He has not spoken to his former coach since their screaming episode. But Reid, who also has deep religious convictions. doesn't believe in holding grudges. He respects Trotter and wants to wish him luck. "A pick-me-up call" is how Reid describes it.

Nine months later, the Eagles are playing in Washington and a tear bomb is released near the Philly bench. Reid and Trotter wind up standing next to each other at midfield. Trotter thanks Reid for making him a starter; Reid tells the player how much he admires his ability. Each man is pleased with the conversation.

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

What Reid doesn't know is how unhappy Trotter is in Washington. His knee is hurting, the team is losing, he is stuck in a read-and-react scheme that inhibits his aggressiveness. And his coaches want him to be more disciplined. "We talked every day," says the Rev. Anthony Gardner, pastor of Life Giving Word Christian Church in Delran, N.J. "I spent a lot of time in Washington. Blowing out his knee caused him to think a lot about his life."

If the knee problem starts the reshaping of Trotter's spirituality, the jolt of being released by the Redskins last June opens the flood-gates. He expects quick job offers. None come. "He was the great Jeremiah Trotter on the streets, and no one was calling," says Gardner. "He really got an eye-opener. It was an incredibly humbling experience."

Trotter soon has another dream. In it, he thanks Reid for calling him in the hospital. He also apologizes for his conduct in the contract negotiations. Afterward, Gardner tells Trotter it takes a strong person to say he is sorry. His agent gives him a cell phone number for Reid, who is fishing in the Rockies. On the day Trotter calls, Reid is having problems with reception. Trotter gets through on the first try. "As long as I stayed within this one-foot area, we could talk," Reid says. "I thought, 'Maybe this is meant to be.'" The two men express regret about the contract furor. Trotter says he wants to come back. Reid tells him he would have to play special teams, that he is happy with Simoneau as a starter.

"It took a man to make that call," says Reid. "Here was a Pro Bowl player willing to do what I asked. He's a good person, and I felt he could help us." Johnson was hesitant. "I am not saying I was real excited," he says. "Maybe he could help us, but I was not going to plug him in right away. I was not going to give it to him. Maybe that was in our plan a little bit, make him appreciate (starting) a little more."

In July, the Eagles sign Trotter to a minimum contract of $750,000. Training camp proves difficult. He left a star, a locker room leader; now he's a special teamer outside the spotlight. Linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo rides him hard, harping on every mistake, demanding he be disciplined. This time, he must do it the Eagles' way. "He had to swallow his pride, and I was interested in seeing how he would do," says line-backer Ike Reese, a close friend. "He handled it right; it was really impressive. He came in and didn't force himself on anyone." Some days, Trotter is embarrassed. "I would drop my head and cry," he says. "It is tough on your pride. You remember the glory days, and now it was this." Once the season begins, he becomes a special teams force of Pro Bowl caliber. Still, he wants to start.

Not in his wildest dreams: Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter has evolved from an out-of-work player to a special teams contributor to a pivotal starter in the Super Bowl. Not even he would have believed it—

Sporting News, The, Feb 11, 2005 by Paul Attner

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Reference

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports