From the MUNY league of Cleveland to the National Football League, last Saturday, all of the blood, sweat and tears of Cecil Shorts III were proclaimed justified, as he was drafted by the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars with the 114th pick in the fourth round.

By BRYANT K. KIZER

Contributing Writer

From the MUNY league of Cleveland to the National Football League, last Saturday, all of the blood, sweat and tears of Cecil Shorts III were proclaimed justified, as he was drafted by the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars with the 114th pick in the fourth round.

With that pick, Shorts III made history as being the highest of any Division III player to be picked.

“When I picked up the phone, they told me this is Jacksonville, do not hang up the phone,” said Shorts. “I do not even remember his name. I was so overwhelmed.”

The NFL Draft was a three-day event. On Thursday, the first-round of the draft was conducted. On Friday, the second and third round was drawn. On Saturday, from fourth to the last round, the seventh, was taken.

“I did not even know that Jacksonville was on the clock. I was on the phone with my agent and a 904 (area code) came up on the phone. I answered and they said this is Jacksonville. I did not think of it. They started answering my questions and I looked on the TV and Jacksonville was on the clock.”

“We (my family) turned up the TV and everyone got quiet as they announced the draft, and then everybody went nuts,” said Shorts.

Shorts III, had his family, his old football coaches, players and friends over for the event.

“It was a tremendous feeling” said Joe Brozak, who was one of his former football coaches at Collinwood. “It is a God’s blessing. Now I got a new team to root for. Go, Jaguars.”

Since the NFL went back on their lockout mode, he will have to stay put in Cleveland. “I will just keep working out until the lockout is over,” said Shorts.

Shorts wore #10, but now that jersey is already taken. He thinks he might go with #84 or #85.

Shorts began his football career in the MUNY League of Cleveland. He then went to play football at Collinwood. His dad, Cecil Shorts II was the head coach. He played quarterback. He had a lot of offers in college, however, not for the quarterback positions. They wanted him as a wide receiver. He listened to his coaches, and went to Mount Union, a D-III powerhouse, in Alliance, Ohio, to play wide receiver. The Purple Raiders already had an excellent quarterback.

At Mount Union, he was rated the #1 wide receiver in D-3. In 55 games, he had 259 receptions for 4,705 yards and 63 touchdowns. He had 75 rushing attempts for 492 yards with 12 scores. The 4,705 receiving yards is the highest total in D-III history.

Shorts was a three-time All-American, the 2008 and 2009 Ohio Athletic Conference Ed Sherman Award Winner (given to the conference’s top wide receiver) and the 2009 D3football.com National Offensive Player of the Year.

Another situation that got Shorts excited is that the Jaguars will play at Cleveland on Nov. 20 at 1 p.m.

“I might have to buy a whole lot of tickets, but it will be worth it,” said Shorts.

And yes, he will be on the next Madden video game coming in late August.

“I am excited about that. I am a long-time Madden video game person.”

Now a new chapter of blood, sweat and tears will be added to his career, a new career that was well worth the wait.

Other locals in the Draft …

Former Glenville Tarblooder and Ohio State Buckeye, Jermale Hines was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round, the 158th pick. Hines becomes the ninth player from the Ted Ginn Sr., era to be drafted in the NFL.

Former Lake Catholic and Iowa Hawkeye Ricky Stanzi was picked by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth-round, the 135th selection.

Former Cleveland Heights and Cincinnati Bearcat offensive lineman Jason Kelce was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth-round, the 191st selection.