The ups and downs of a young talent.
Artwork by Rebecca Holt
Brandon Marshall was born March 23, 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He later moved to Florida where he attended Lake Howell High School where Marshall earned All-State honors. He also lettered in basketball and track.
Marshall received a scholarship to play football at the University of Central Florida, where he collected a total of 112 receptions, 1674 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Critics say he had a very mediocre collegiate career, but it turns out he was more than NFL ready.
With the 119th overall selection in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Marshall. Marshall’s skills were noticed quickly in his rookie season, when on National TV he caught a spectacular 71-yard touchdown pass from fellow rookie quarterback Jay Cutler. It was the longest rookie-to-rookie pass play in Bronco history. Marshall’s other accomplishments include being selected to the Pro Bowl and receiving AFC offensive player of the week.
But with talent sometimes comes controversy. With the recent firing of former coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos hired rookie Head Coach Josh McDaniels to fill the void, which to no surprise caused a very negative impact on the team, and its chemistry. With Marshall’s current contract coming to an end, he expected big money due to his success on the field, but off the field was a completely different story. Marshall has a very broad list of legal troubles, including assault charges, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, domestic violence, driving under the influence, misdemeanor battery, and again disorderly conduct just recently this year for being involved in a fight with his fiancée.
Marshall is one of the league’s biggest talents with a very bright future still waiting on a contract, and despite not being suspended for now, he has spent most of his 2009 NFL season on the bench, limited to only seven receptions and 61 yards, with one touchdown. Personally, I have a strong feeling that Marshall could have another Pro Bowl year this season with just as good or better numbers than compared to last year’s campaign.
I live Bronco country and I am a very huge fan of our home team, and bringing a Super Bowl title back to Denver would be a dream come true. This is why I believe Marshall should get his huge contract. He has proven to be one of the most sure-handed receivers in the league, and letting someone like that go would be a mistake McDaniels would soon regret. Marshall is a crucial piece of the puzzle of what could be a great season this year, with the Broncos already off to a 4-0 start.
Brandon Marshall is a player who comes around very rarely, with a dangerous combination of massive size and speed. He attracts tremendous attention no matter where he is on the field, and he is considered to be the next T.O. (Terrell Owens). This is a talent that the Broncos cannot drop; Marshall has shown true remorse for what he has done, and everyone deserves a second chance.
