Chad Morton facts for kids

Chad Akio Morton (born April 4, 1977) is an American football coach and former player. He used to play as a running back and a kick/punt returner. Currently, he is the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL).

Before joining the Bears, Morton was the running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2017 to 2023. He played college football for the USC team. The New Orleans Saints picked him in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL draft.

After a great first year with the Saints, Morton played five more years. He played for the New York Jets, the Washington Redskins, and the New York Giants. Morton also worked as an assistant coach for the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. He was part of the coaching team when the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2010.

Early Life and High School

Chad Morton grew up in Torrance, California. He went to South High School. There, he was a star player in football.

Playing Career

College Football

Morton played as a running back for the University of Southern California (USC) in the late 1990s. One famous moment from his college career happened in 1999. Before a game against UCLA, Morton promised that his USC team would win. UCLA had beaten USC eight times in a row before that game.

Morton ran for 143 yards in that game, and USC won! In 2010, ESPN called this moment the fourth biggest in the USC-UCLA football rivalry.

National Football League (NFL)

The New Orleans Saints picked Chad Morton as the 166th player overall in the 2000 NFL draft. This was in the fifth round. He quickly became one of the few rookie running backs in Saints history to play a lot and make a big difference.

In his first year, he played all 16 games. He gained 213 yards from 30 catches and ran for 136 yards. He also returned kicks for 1,029 yards. The Saints won the NFC West title that year.

Morton was very important in the 2000 playoffs. In a game against the Minnesota Vikings, he set a record. He had 13 catches, which was the most by a rookie in a playoff game. It also tied the record for the most catches by any player in a playoff game.

His best year as a kick returner was in 2002 with the New York Jets. He returned kickoffs for 1,509 yards and scored two touchdowns in one game. The Jets won the AFC East title that year. They also won their first playoff game easily.

In 2005, 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 stopped playing due to an injury.

NFL Records

Chad Morton holds or shares several NFL records:

• Most kickoff return touchdowns in a single game: 2 (in 2002 against the Buffalo Bills). He shares this record with 9 other players.
• Longest overtime kickoff returned for a touchdown: 96 yards (in 2002 against the Buffalo Bills).
• Most receptions in a playoff game by a rookie: 13 (in 2000).
• Most receptions in a playoff game: 13 (in 2000). He shares this record with 3 other players.

Coaching Career

Green Bay Packers

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 win the Super Bowl in 2010. He left the Packers after the 2013 season.

Seattle Seahawks

In 2014, Morton joined the Seattle Seahawks. He was an assistant special teams coach under head coach Pete Carroll. In 2015, he became the assistant running backs coach. Then, in 2017, he was promoted to running backs coach. In 2022, he got another promotion to run game coordinator and running backs coach.

Chicago Bears

On February 21, 2024, the Chicago Bears hired Chad Morton. He is now their running backs coach, working for head coach Matt Eberflus.

Personal Life

Chad Morton has a mixed background; he is African American and Japanese. He is married to his wife, Tamra. He is also the younger brother of Eric Morton and former wide receiver Johnnie Morton.