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Maurice Morris
refer to caption
Morris with the Seattle Seahawks in 2008
No. 20, 28
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1979-12-01) December 1, 1979 (age 45)
Chester, South Carolina, U.S.
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight: 216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Chester
College: Oregon
NFL Draft: 2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 54
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× Second-team All-Pac-10 (2000, 2001)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 3,648
Rushing average: 4.2
Rushing touchdowns: 13
Receptions: 151
Receiving yards: 1,163
Receiving touchdowns: 5
Player stats at PFR

Maurice Autora Morris (born December 1, 1979) is a former American professional football player. He was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks. The Seattle Seahawks picked him in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He also played for the Detroit Lions.

Early Life and College Football

Maurice Morris grew up in Chester, South Carolina. He went to Chester High School. During his senior year, he ran for over 1,600 yards. He also scored 25 touchdowns. He holds many school records for rushing yards and touchdowns.

Morris started his college football journey at Fresno City College in 1998. Later, he moved to the University of Oregon. There, he became the main running back for the Ducks. He helped his team win the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. In that big game, he scored an amazing 49-yard touchdown. He even landed on a defender and got up without touching the ground!

Professional Football Career

Maurice Morris played for two NFL teams during his career. He was known for being a strong and reliable running back.

Playing for the Seattle Seahawks

Morris joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2002. From 2002 to 2004, he was mainly their kickoff returner. This means he would catch the ball after the other team kicked it. He would then try to run it back as far as possible.

He was a steady player, even though he wasn't always in the spotlight. In 2005, another player, Josh Scobey, took over the kick returning duties. Morris then played less often behind Shaun Alexander. Alexander was a very famous player and won the MVP award in 2005.

Even though Morris didn't play as much, his teammates noticed his hard work. Shaun Alexander once said that Morris was good enough to start for many other NFL teams. He believed Morris could gain a thousand rushing yards if he had the chance.

In the 2005 playoffs, Alexander got a concussion during a game. Morris stepped in and played very well. He helped the Seahawks win that important game.

During the 2006 season, Alexander was injured for six games. Morris took his place as the main running back. He finished that season with 604 rushing yards. He played in all 16 regular season games. His best season was in 2007. He ran for 628 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns. He also had one receiving touchdown.

Before the 2008 season, the Seahawks signed Julius Jones. They also let Shaun Alexander go. It looked like Morris would be the backup again. But Morris ended up being a very important part of the running game. He even became the main running back for the Seahawks later in that season.

Playing for the Detroit Lions

On February 27, 2009, Maurice Morris signed a three-year contract with the Detroit Lions. He continued his NFL career with them.

Personal Life

Maurice Morris is related to another NFL player. He is the cousin of D'Marco Jackson. Jackson is a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.

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