Captain Munnerlyn
Encyclopedia
Captain Munnerlyn is a professional American football
cornerback
for the Carolina Panthers
of the National Football League
(NFL). He was drafted by the Panthers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at South Carolina
for three years.
Munnerlyn played high school football
at Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama
where he was named All–region three times. Following high school he chose to play college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks
after receiving scholarship offers from two other teams. As a freshman in 2006 he played in 11 games and recorded a season high five tackles in two. In 2007, Munnerlyn was both a nickel back and return specialist
for the Gamecocks. Following the season he was named All–Southeastern Conference
(SEC). In 2008, he was elevated to starting cornerback while also returning kicks and punts. Against Kentucky
, he returned a kickoff 84 yards and a blocked field goal 81 yards. On the second day of the 2009 NFL Draft
, Munnerlyn was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round (216 overall).
and he eventually did the same. Munnerlyn eventually said of the conversion and his mother's prayers that he would stay out of trouble, "Without her prayers, I don't think I could be here [the NFL] right now."
Munnerlyn attended Murphy High School where he was a three- time region selection and participated in the Junior All–Star Game. During high school he also was a track and field runner, competing in the 100 metres (328.1 ft) and 200 metres (656.2 ft).
and Kansas State
. He chose South Carolina on January 13, 2006. As a freshman, Munnerlyn was not redshirted
and played in 12 games. He missed one game due to an infection in his forearm. For the season, he recorded 36 tackles
with his season high of five coming against Tennessee
and Houston
. Munnerlyn also recorded two interceptions and five pass deflections.
In 2007, as a sophomore, Munnerlyn split time at cornerback and kick returner
and was called a "shut down corner" on Rivals.com
. Against Vanderbilt
, to whom South Carolina lost 17–6, Munnerlyn returned a punt 46 yards and also forced a fumble
. In the same game, South Carolina wide receiver
Kenny McKinley
fielded a punt and flipped it to Munnerlyn who gained eight yards. Following, the season he was named First–team All–SEC.
Head coach
Steve Spurrier
benched Munnerlyn for the first series against Ole Miss
due to Munnerlyn missing class and team weightlifting sessions. Against Kentucky
, Munnerlyn returned a kickoff
84 yards before being tackled on the 16 yard line. On the next play quarterback
Stephen Garcia
completed a touchdown pass to Kenny McKinley. In the same game, Munnerlyn returned a blocked field goal for an 81 yard touchdown.
He declared for the NFL Draft
following the 2008 season.
, Munnerlyn returned a punt 58 yards and also fumbled one but recovered it, while Robinson fumbled a punt which the Dolphins recovered.
He eventually won the punt return job as well as the third cornerback job beating out C. J. Wilson and Sherrod Martin
for the job by the end of September. On November 30, Munnerlyn suffered a concussion against the New York Jets
but said days later that he planned on playing in the next game despite the NFL's changing of the concussion policy. Munnerlyn did not play the following week's game but returned the next week against the New England Patriots. He completed the 2009 season playing in 15 games total as the Panthers finished 3rd in the NFC South with 8 wins and 8 loses.
For his second season, Munnerlyn moved up to starting right cornerback after Richard Marshall was not resigned. In 2011 Captain joined twitter nation Captain_41 to reach out to fans. #CaptainsCrew
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). He was drafted by the Panthers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks football
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
for three years.
Munnerlyn played high school football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
at Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
where he was named All–region three times. Following high school he chose to play college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks football
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
after receiving scholarship offers from two other teams. As a freshman in 2006 he played in 11 games and recorded a season high five tackles in two. In 2007, Munnerlyn was both a nickel back and return specialist
Return specialist
A Return Specialist is a player on American football or Canadian football special teams who specializes in returning punts and kickoff returns. There are few players who are exclusively return specialists; most play other positions as well. The special teams counterpart of a return specialist is a...
for the Gamecocks. Following the season he was named All–Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC). In 2008, he was elevated to starting cornerback while also returning kicks and punts. Against Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic squads of the University of Kentucky , a founding member of the Southeastern Conference...
, he returned a kickoff 84 yards and a blocked field goal 81 yards. On the second day of the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, Munnerlyn was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round (216 overall).
Early years
Munnerlyn was born three months premature in Mobile and at birth weighed three pounds, eight ounces. He grew up in Happy Hills, which was a crime-infested part of Mobile. When he was growing up, his father was murdered and both of his brothers sold drugs. His oldest brother, Timothy, was convicted in 1996 of murder and was sentenced to life in prison. After the shooting, Munnerlyn's mother converted to ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and he eventually did the same. Munnerlyn eventually said of the conversion and his mother's prayers that he would stay out of trouble, "Without her prayers, I don't think I could be here [the NFL] right now."
Munnerlyn attended Murphy High School where he was a three- time region selection and participated in the Junior All–Star Game. During high school he also was a track and field runner, competing in the 100 metres (328.1 ft) and 200 metres (656.2 ft).
College career
After high school Munnerlyn was recruited by South Carolina, West VirginiaWest Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
and Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
. He chose South Carolina on January 13, 2006. As a freshman, Munnerlyn was not redshirted
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
and played in 12 games. He missed one game due to an infection in his forearm. For the season, he recorded 36 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
with his season high of five coming against Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
and Houston
Houston Cougars football
The Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
. Munnerlyn also recorded two interceptions and five pass deflections.
In 2007, as a sophomore, Munnerlyn split time at cornerback and kick returner
Kick returner
In American and Canadian football, a kick returner is the player on special teams who is primarily responsible to catch kickoffs and attempts to return them in the opposite direction. If the ball is kicked into his own endzone, he must assess the situation on the field while the ball is in the...
and was called a "shut down corner" on Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
. Against Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
, to whom South Carolina lost 17–6, Munnerlyn returned a punt 46 yards and also forced a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
. In the same game, South Carolina wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Kenny McKinley
Kenny McKinley
Kendrick L. McKinley was an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.-Early years:Born in Mableton, Georgia, he graduated from South...
fielded a punt and flipped it to Munnerlyn who gained eight yards. Following, the season he was named First–team All–SEC.
Head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach...
benched Munnerlyn for the first series against Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
due to Munnerlyn missing class and team weightlifting sessions. Against Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats football
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
, Munnerlyn returned a kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
84 yards before being tackled on the 16 yard line. On the next play quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Stephen Garcia
Stephen Garcia
Stephen Garcia is an American football quarterback formerly of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southeastern Conference. He is from Lutz, Florida and attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he had 8,000 yards passing and 83 touchdowns as well as 1,345 yards rushing and 17...
completed a touchdown pass to Kenny McKinley. In the same game, Munnerlyn returned a blocked field goal for an 81 yard touchdown.
He declared for the NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
following the 2008 season.
Carolina Panthers
Munnerlyn was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He called being drafted by the Panthers, "exciting because I played college ball at South Carolina, and that's only like an hour away. It was exciting to hear my name get called. I'm ready for it, ready to take my game to the next level." In the 2009 preseason, he was competing with wide receiver Ryne Robinson for the punt returner job. In the Panthers second preseason game against the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Munnerlyn returned a punt 58 yards and also fumbled one but recovered it, while Robinson fumbled a punt which the Dolphins recovered.
He eventually won the punt return job as well as the third cornerback job beating out C. J. Wilson and Sherrod Martin
Sherrod Martin
Jerald Sherrod Martin is an American football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
for the job by the end of September. On November 30, Munnerlyn suffered a concussion against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
but said days later that he planned on playing in the next game despite the NFL's changing of the concussion policy. Munnerlyn did not play the following week's game but returned the next week against the New England Patriots. He completed the 2009 season playing in 15 games total as the Panthers finished 3rd in the NFC South with 8 wins and 8 loses.
For his second season, Munnerlyn moved up to starting right cornerback after Richard Marshall was not resigned. In 2011 Captain joined twitter nation Captain_41 to reach out to fans. #CaptainsCrew