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One of the most impressive NFL players of all time never actually played in a regular season game.
This is a story about one of the most interesting men in NFL history.
Time for a thread
This is a story about one of the most interesting men in NFL history.
Time for a thread
1) Myron Rolle’s family is originally from the Bahamas, but settled down in New Jersey by the time he was three.
Growing up in a middle class household, Myron was taught the importance of education from a young age.
Growing up in a middle class household, Myron was taught the importance of education from a young age.
2) When Myron Rolle was in 5th grade, his older brother gave him the book “Gifted Hands”, by Dr. Ben Carson.
He finished the book in three days, particularly struck by the importance of medicine.
Myron credits the book with structuring the overall direction of his life.
He finished the book in three days, particularly struck by the importance of medicine.
Myron credits the book with structuring the overall direction of his life.
3) Along with an early commitment to education at home, Myron Rolle excelled in sports as a young child.
When it came time for high school, Myron was offered a full scholarship to attend "The Hun School" - a prestigious preparatory school in Princeton, New Jersey.
When it came time for high school, Myron was offered a full scholarship to attend "The Hun School" - a prestigious preparatory school in Princeton, New Jersey.
4) In high school, Myron Rolle continued to expand his interests beyond athletics.
High School activities included:
- Giving campus tours
- Student Body President
- Playing the saxophone in the band
- Acting in school plays
Why?
Rolle "didn't want to be categorized as a jock.”
High School activities included:
- Giving campus tours
- Student Body President
- Playing the saxophone in the band
- Acting in school plays
Why?
Rolle "didn't want to be categorized as a jock.”
5) In addition to extracurricular activities, Myron Rolle also excelled on the football field.
Rolle was the #1 high school football player in the country his senior year.
In total, he received 80+ scholarship offers from some of the most prestigious universities in the country
Rolle was the #1 high school football player in the country his senior year.
In total, he received 80+ scholarship offers from some of the most prestigious universities in the country
6) When deciding where to commit, Myron Rolle had a specific checklist of requirements.
He demanded the school have a history of academic & athletic success, along with an on-campus medical school.
Feeling confident their priorities aligned, Rolle committed to Florida State.
He demanded the school have a history of academic & athletic success, along with an on-campus medical school.
Feeling confident their priorities aligned, Rolle committed to Florida State.
7) At Florida State, Myron Rolle dominated.
On the field, Rolle was an All-American and a cornerstone of the Seminole defense.
Off the field, he graduated in 2.5 yrs with a 3.75 GPA - commonly taking 18-20 credits during his summer “break”.
With success, came opportunities…
On the field, Rolle was an All-American and a cornerstone of the Seminole defense.
Off the field, he graduated in 2.5 yrs with a 3.75 GPA - commonly taking 18-20 credits during his summer “break”.
With success, came opportunities…
8) After his junior year, Rolle was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship.
Established in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship is the most prestigious collegiate academic award in the country.
Previous recipients include:
- Bill Clinton
- Susan Rice
- Bill Bradley
There was just one issue...
Established in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship is the most prestigious collegiate academic award in the country.
Previous recipients include:
- Bill Clinton
- Susan Rice
- Bill Bradley
There was just one issue...
9) As a Rhodes Scholar, Myron Rolle received full tuition to the University of Oxford to study a program of his choice.
The problem?
If Rolle accepted, he would miss his senior year of college football - most likely causing him to fall out of the 1st round of the NFL Draft.
The problem?
If Rolle accepted, he would miss his senior year of college football - most likely causing him to fall out of the 1st round of the NFL Draft.
10) Myron Rolle decided the opportunity at Oxford was too good to pass up.
He announced his decision to enroll in the masters program for medical anthropology at Oxford University.
Rolle would skip his senior year of football and train for the NFL Draft while at Oxford.
He announced his decision to enroll in the masters program for medical anthropology at Oxford University.
Rolle would skip his senior year of football and train for the NFL Draft while at Oxford.
11) After completing the masters program in 2009, Rolle was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, Rolle’s NFL career was short lived.
After two years, Rolle was released without ever playing in a single regular season game.
Unfortunately, Rolle’s NFL career was short lived.
After two years, Rolle was released without ever playing in a single regular season game.
12) Myron Rolle believes his academic success and decision to attend Oxford University had a meaningful impact on the way NFL teams treated him.
Rolle says, "Going for the Rhodes, it really put a label on me that was hard to shake, and frankly I don't think that I did shake it.”
Rolle says, "Going for the Rhodes, it really put a label on me that was hard to shake, and frankly I don't think that I did shake it.”
13) Instead of sulking in sorrow, Myron Rolle put one foot in front of the other and kept moving forward.
In 2013, Rolle was accepted to the Florida State University School of Medicine.
Four years later, Rolle graduated and was admitted to the neurosurgery program at Harvard.
In 2013, Rolle was accepted to the Florida State University School of Medicine.
Four years later, Rolle graduated and was admitted to the neurosurgery program at Harvard.
14) As a resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, Myron Rolle has played a pivotal role in the COVID-19 pandemic.
With an influx of patients and a strain on resources, Rolle has been providing assistance to emergency department nurses and routinely completing 24-hour shifts.
With an influx of patients and a strain on resources, Rolle has been providing assistance to emergency department nurses and routinely completing 24-hour shifts.
15) Myron Rolle is the perfect example of how an athlete should prepare themselves for life after sports.
Instead of waiting for his football career to end, Rolle put in the work, got educated, and set himself up for a lifetime of success.
Not bad for a kid from the Bahamas…
Instead of waiting for his football career to end, Rolle put in the work, got educated, and set himself up for a lifetime of success.
Not bad for a kid from the Bahamas…
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