Written By: Brett Korpi
In October Bernard Morris announced his retirement after six seasons in the Arena Football League. Today, he will travel to Washington, D.C., to compete for a job with AFL expansion team the Washington Valor.
“It is an honor to go up to Washington and compete for the Valor,” Morris said in a phone interview. “I still have this competitive drive eating at me; I love the game of football.”
When Morris made the decision to end his AFL career at the age of 31, it seemed like the right time to walk away. His hometown team, the Orlando Predators, had just suspended operations.
Morris, an Orlando native, grew up in the shadows of the original Amway Arena where the Predators played for 19 seasons. He always felt a connection to the team and city. “It was great to go out there and play for my family and community,” Morris said.
During the 2016 season, Morris had a bit of a resurgence. Stepping up when starter Randy Hippeard went down with a torn ACL. The veteran quarterback would lead the Predators to the AFL playoffs. He threw for 1,249 passing yards, and 27 passing touchdowns while adding eight rushing touchdowns. He also set the Predators franchise career rushing record.
The Predators suffered a heart-breaking loss to the Jacksonville Sharks in the playoffs. A game that still eats at Morris. “It was the toughest loss of my career. It is hard to talk about, man.”
In early February, Morris started to get an itch to get back out there. He began to discuss playing again with his family. Soon, Valor head coach Dean Cokinos reached out with an opportunity in Washington.
“When coach Cokinos reached out, I knew what my decision was going to be,” Morris said. “It’s the perfect fit.”
Morris will be competing with fellow AFL veteran and 2014 AFL MVP Erik Meyer for the starting quarterback duties in Washington.
“Meyer is a great player; he is an MVP. It will be an honor to work with him.” Morris would add, “That being said, as a competitor I’m going into camp to take those snaps at the start of the season.”
Meyer and Morris aren’t the only veterans that will be in Washington for the Valor’s inaugural season. Cokinos has added the likes of DB Terrence Smith, WR Mike Washington and 2016 AFL Defensive Player of the Year Tracy Belton.
“I have played with and against those guys, and we have a ton of veteran talent,” Morris said of the roster. “We just have to come together and gel.”
The Washington Valor, which is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, will begin its season on April 7 against the Baltimore Brigade. Monumental also owns the Brigade, as well as the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and the Washington Mystics.
Morris is excited by the Valor and Monumental’s vision for the franchise. “They are first class organization. They run most of the pro sports in Washington, they really know what they are doing, they want to turn the AFL back into the premier league it once was.”
“It is an honor to go up to Washington and compete for the Valor,” Morris said in a phone interview. “I still have this competitive drive eating at me; I love the game of football.”
When Morris made the decision to end his AFL career at the age of 31, it seemed like the right time to walk away. His hometown team, the Orlando Predators, had just suspended operations.
Morris, an Orlando native, grew up in the shadows of the original Amway Arena where the Predators played for 19 seasons. He always felt a connection to the team and city. “It was great to go out there and play for my family and community,” Morris said.
During the 2016 season, Morris had a bit of a resurgence. Stepping up when starter Randy Hippeard went down with a torn ACL. The veteran quarterback would lead the Predators to the AFL playoffs. He threw for 1,249 passing yards, and 27 passing touchdowns while adding eight rushing touchdowns. He also set the Predators franchise career rushing record.
The Predators suffered a heart-breaking loss to the Jacksonville Sharks in the playoffs. A game that still eats at Morris. “It was the toughest loss of my career. It is hard to talk about, man.”
In early February, Morris started to get an itch to get back out there. He began to discuss playing again with his family. Soon, Valor head coach Dean Cokinos reached out with an opportunity in Washington.
“When coach Cokinos reached out, I knew what my decision was going to be,” Morris said. “It’s the perfect fit.”
Morris will be competing with fellow AFL veteran and 2014 AFL MVP Erik Meyer for the starting quarterback duties in Washington.
“Meyer is a great player; he is an MVP. It will be an honor to work with him.” Morris would add, “That being said, as a competitor I’m going into camp to take those snaps at the start of the season.”
Meyer and Morris aren’t the only veterans that will be in Washington for the Valor’s inaugural season. Cokinos has added the likes of DB Terrence Smith, WR Mike Washington and 2016 AFL Defensive Player of the Year Tracy Belton.
“I have played with and against those guys, and we have a ton of veteran talent,” Morris said of the roster. “We just have to come together and gel.”
The Washington Valor, which is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, will begin its season on April 7 against the Baltimore Brigade. Monumental also owns the Brigade, as well as the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and the Washington Mystics.
Morris is excited by the Valor and Monumental’s vision for the franchise. “They are first class organization. They run most of the pro sports in Washington, they really know what they are doing, they want to turn the AFL back into the premier league it once was.”