Chad Morton facts for kids
| Jacksonville Jaguars | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Running backs coach | ||||||||||||
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| Born: | April 4, 1977 Torrance, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 191 lb (87 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | South (Torrance) | ||||||||||||
| College: | USC | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2000 / Round: 5 / Pick: 166 | ||||||||||||
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Chad Akio Morton was born on April 4, 1977. He is an American former professional football player. He played as a running back and also returned kicks and punts. Today, he is a coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League (NFL).
Before joining the Jaguars, Morton was the running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks. He worked with the Seahawks from 2017 to 2023.
Morton played college football for the USC team. The New Orleans Saints chose him in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL draft. He had a great first year with the Saints. After that, he played five more years for teams like the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, and New York Giants.
He also worked as an assistant coach for the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. While with the Packers, he was part of the coaching team that won the Super Bowl in 2010.
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Early Life and High School Football
Chad Morton grew up in Torrance, California. He went to South High School. There, he was a star player in football. He earned a "letterman" award for his skills.
Playing Career Highlights
College Football Success
Morton was a running back for the University of Southern California in the late 1990s. A memorable moment happened in 1999. Before a game against UCLA, Morton promised that his team, the Trojans, would win. UCLA had beaten USC eight times in a row.
Morton ran for 143 yards in that game, and USC won! In 2010, ESPN called this the fourth biggest moment in the USC-UCLA football rivalry.
Making an Impact in the NFL
The New Orleans Saints picked Chad Morton as the 166th player in the 2000 NFL draft. He was one of the few rookie running backs for the Saints to play a lot. He made a big difference in his first year.
In 2000, he caught passes for 213 yards and ran for 136 yards. He also returned kicks for 1,029 yards. The Saints won their division that year. In the playoffs, Morton set a record for rookies. He caught 13 passes in a single playoff game. This also tied the record for most catches by any player in a playoff game.
Morton had his best year returning kicks in 2002 with the New York Jets. He gained 1,509 yards and scored two touchdowns from kickoffs. Both touchdowns came in the same game! The Jets won their division that year. They also had a big win in the first round of the playoffs.
He was almost chosen for the 2005 Pro Bowl as a kick returner. His last year playing football was 2006 with the New York Giants. He got a serious knee injury during a game. He was released by the Giants in 2007.
NFL Records Set by Chad Morton
- Most kickoff return touchdowns in one game: 2 (in 2002 against the Buffalo Bills). He shares this record with nine other players.
- Longest overtime kickoff returned for a touchdown: 96 yards (in 2002 against the Buffalo Bills).
- Most catches in a playoff game by a rookie: 13 (in 2000).
- Most catches in a playoff game: 13 (in 2000). He shares this record with three other players.
Coaching Career
Green Bay Packers Coaching Role
In 2009, the Green Bay Packers hired Morton. He started as a coaching administrator. In February 2010, he became the assistant special teams coach. Morton helped the Packers' special teams. They went on to win the Super Bowl XLV championship that year. He left the Packers after the 2013 season.
Seattle Seahawks Coaching Role
In 2014, the Seattle Seahawks hired Morton. He became their assistant special teams coach. In 2015, he was promoted to assistant running backs coach. Then, in 2017, he became the main running backs coach. By 2022, Morton was promoted again. He became the run game coordinator and running backs coach. He stayed with the Seahawks until 2023.
Chicago Bears Coaching Role
On February 21, 2024, Morton joined the Chicago Bears. He was hired as their running backs coach. However, on January 24, 2025, it was announced that he would not return to the Bears for the 2025 season.
Personal Life
Chad Morton has a mixed background. He is both African American and Japanese. He is married to his wife, Tamra. He also has an older brother named Eric Morton. His other older brother, Johnnie Morton, played in the NFL for 12 seasons.
