Posted 2:31 pm Sunday, February 07, 2010
For Rusk Native Cody Glenn, Tonight Means The Ultimate Destination Of A Lifelong Journey
Glenn Overcomes Release By Redskins, Set To Play In Super Bowl
By PHIL HICKS
Sports Editor
Sports Editor
In the fall, Cody Glenn was preparing for his rookie season in the National Football League.
After a star-studded career at Rusk High School and the University of Nebraska, there was no reason to doubt Glenn would excel with the Washington Redskins.
Then came Sept. 6, 2009. Glenn, a fifth-round draft pick of the Redskins, was released.
"I was feeling as down as ever," Glenn told the Tyler Courier-Times--Telegraph earlier this week.
But later that day he was feeling super. Glenn went from a rebuilding Redskins team to a Super Bowl contender when the Indianapolis Colts claimed him off the waiver wire. After spending a couple of months on the practice squad, he was added to the Colts' active roster on Nov. 4.
HIS NO. 1 FANS: From left, Mary Caroline Selden, Cody Glenn and Sarah Selden.
And today, Glenn and his Indianapolis Colts teammates will meet the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.
"It was a blessing in disguise (being released from the Redskins)," Glenn said after practice on Wednesday. "It has been quite a journey, starting out with the Redskins and then feeling down after they released me. But, it turned out for the best."
Indeed. Glenn, a linebacker, has been a sparkling addition to the Colts on special teams. Now, he gets a chance for a ring in his first year in the NFL.
"It feels great to have the opportunity to play in the NFL's pinnacle game," Glenn said. "We feel we are prepared and ready. Last week, we put our game plan together before we arrived in Miami. We had really great practices and this week we have been crisp."
He's ready for the game today and he will have plenty of support from the folks back home as well as in Sun Life Stadium.
His godmother Kathy Harris, who teaches at Rusk Intermediate School, and his daughter, Makayla, who turned 5 on Jan. 5, will be in attendance. Mrs. Harris' late husband, Eddie, was a mentor to the young Glenn.
"I'm excited that my godmother and my daughter, will be able to come to the game," Glenn said. "Makayla has her No. 52 jersey with 'My Daddy' on the back. She is pumped about the game."
Also, family friends, Bryan and Sarah Selden, formerly of Rusk, who now live in Tyler, will be wearing No. 52 jerseys and will be in attendance for the big game. Nebraska All-American Ndamukong Suh, Glenn's good friend, will be in town for the contest.
"Cody is as fine a young man as you could know," said Selden, who along with his wife and children attended the AFC Championship two weeks ago in Indianapolis when the Colts beat the New York Jets, 30-17. "As a rookie Cody feels blessed to get to play in the Super Bowl. He was at a low point after the Redskins released him. … Now, he's playing in the Super Bowl."
Mrs. Selden added, "We enjoyed spending the weekend in Indianapolis and going to the AFC (Championship) to cheer for Cody. … We had the pleasure of watching (Glenn) grow up in Rusk as a Rusk Eagle."
The Seldens' son, Matthew, played football with Glenn and they have followed his career.
"Matthew and Cody were teammates until Cody leap-frogged to the varsity as a freshman," Selden said.
Glenn, a former All-East Texas Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 6,353 yards and 87 touchdowns as a Rusk Eagle. His rushing total ranks eighth in Texas Class 3A and 27th overall in the Lone Star State.
After his spectacular high school career, Glenn headed north to the land of the Big Red of the University of Nebraska. The first three years he played running back and before his senior year he asked to switch to linebacker. In nine games he had 51 tackles for the Cornhuskers.
He continues to grasp the linebacking position.
"It's a work in progress," Glenn said. "I'm still learning about playing linebacker. The veterans have really helped me."
"It's a work in progress," Glenn said. "I'm still learning about playing linebacker. The veterans have really helped me."
While he plays some linebacker, he has starred at times on special teams. In the Colts' 20-3 divisional playoff victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 16, Glenn made one of the highlight plays of the weekend. His tackle on Ravens punt returner Chris Carr brought oohs and aahs from the Lucas Oil Field crowd.
"We were deep in our territory and I felt we needed a spark at that time of the game," Glenn said. "I just ran down and when I saw him catch the ball I was ready."
He said sacrificing your body is part of playing on special teams. He will be doing just that Sunday. But, while he will be giving it his all in Miami, Rusk is never far from his mind.
Last week, he took time to visit with students at Rusk Intermediate School via an Internet program, "Skype." The youngsters had an opportunity to ask Glenn questions.
"I love Rusk, Texas," said Glenn, who still resides in the Cherokee County community. "I knew it was about time for the TAKS test and I told them they should value education and how important it is to get an education."
He told them preparing for the TAKS is much like preparing for the Super Bowl.
And that is what Glenn has been doing for two weeks.
While Glenn is new to the Super Bowl, 25 Colts were there in 2007 when Indianapolis beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
"The veterans have told us what to expect, where to go, where not to go and what to do," Glenn said. "They have been very helpful in making a smooth transition for me."
While Glenn will be focused on the Saints, he said his thoughts will also be on Rusk and East Texas.
"I really thank everyone back in East Texas and Rusk for the all support," Glenn said. "I'm very appreciative. It means a lot."
He is soaking up everything in South Florida this week.
"Every kid's dream who plays football is to play in the NFL and in the Super Bowl," Glenn said. "It truly is a blessing."
