By Nate Thompson
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – Get knocked down seven times, get back up eight.
It’s the only mindset that’s plausible for what Nate McCrary has gone through on his path to realize his National Football League dream.
The 2017 Reeths-Puffer graduate may have been cast aside by five different NFL teams over the past three seasons in his quest to lock down a secure roster spot as a running back or special teams performer, and while he admits being repeatedly cut during training camp or released from practice squads has cast doubts on his future and shaken his confidence, his faith and resilience to keep fighting remains as strong as ever.
That was evident from McCrary’s last experience in professional football, as he signed in the minor league United Football league in December with his home-state team, the Michigan Panthers. Although he was initially buried on the depth chart at running back, McCrary made the most of the opportunity, as he eventually saw more playing time later in the season, helping lead the Panthers to the league’s playoffs.
“It did give me a sense of pride playing for a home-state team,” McCrary, 25, said. “It was kind of like Detroit’s team, playing our (home) games at Ford Field.
“It was a challenging season,” he added. “Just week to week not being up (on the depth chart) and just fighting for a spot. It was just a weekly battle to try to show what I can do to my coaches.
“Our second game, I didn’t like my performance. For me, mentally, I was struggling. I haven’t felt like me in awhile, and you start to think, ‘You know, I’ve been told ‘No’ so many times, that maybe it’s starting to weigh on me a little bit.
“I realized I just needed to find my rhythm and get back to playing the game like I’ve always done before.”
McCrary said he slowly began to find that rhythm on the field when his coaches inserted him as a kick returner in Week 6 against the Arlington Renegades.
“I haven’t returned kicks since I was a freshman in college,” McCrary said. “I did it all the time in high school."
And due to a starter’s injury, McCrary also began seeing more carries at running back beginning in Week 8, which he said, “was the opportunity I was waiting for.”
“Where I’ve been and where I’ve come from, you realize there’s going to be tough times chasing a dream like this,” he said. “But with the dedication and hard work I’ve put in this game, you just tell yourself, you just got to run with it, compete and get myself back to the player that I’m capable of; playing with that swag.”
McCrary finished his Panthers’ season with 16 carries for 60 yards and one touchdown and had 111 yards on five kick returns. Under longtime NFL assistant and head coach Mike Nolan, the Panthers finished at 7-4 overall, losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Birmingham Stallions.
McCrary had boundless swag in 2019, when at SVSU, he turned in an outstanding junior season for the Cardinals, rushing 167 times for 1,060 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games. For his efforts, he was named a first-team all-conference selection in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Instead of potentially coming back for a monster senior season and leading the Cardinals to a winning record, the Covid-19 pandemic put a wrench in those plans. The GLIAC decided to cancel the entire 2020 season, forcing McCrary to make a tough decision, especially for a Division 2 player. Instead of sticking around for an extra Covid year of eligibility, McCrary decided to forgo his final year at SVSU and enter the NFL Draft.
McCrary said his decision was supported by his family, including mom Marla and dad Camp McCrary.
“I gave my parents my word that I’d come back and (finish) my degree,” said McCrary, who was majoring in Health Science.
Facing tough odds as a small-school entrant in the draft, McCrary went undrafted in 2021, but was signed by the Baltimore Ravens on May 1, 2021 as an undrafted free agent.
He said his first star-struck moment in the NFL came during his initial full-squad practice of training camp, when he was sharing the same field with stars like quarterback Lamar Jackson, receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and tight end Mark Andrews.
McCrary thought he had performed well enough in training camp to earn a roster spot as a backup running back or special teamer with the Ravens, however, he faced his first setback.
“I talked with Coach (John) Harbaugh and he laid it out that we’re going to cut you, but we want to bring you back on the practice squad,” McCrary recalled.
Before that could happen, however, the Denver Broncos signed McCrary off waivers. His stay in Denver didn’t last long, however, as the Broncos released him in late September.
McCrary said he really only wanted to return to the Ravens, and they signed him to a second stint and placed him on their practice squad.
McCrary was elevated to the main roster and saw his first game action against the Ravens’ fierce rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 5 2021.
“I was very nervous that first game,” he said. “Coming from a small school, I wasn’t used to the fans, the atmosphere, the big crowds.”
McCrary had just one carry for a 1-yard loss, and the Ravens suffered a 20-19 loss en route to an 8-9 season.
In 2022, the Ravens released McCrary for a second time, and he found his way to the Carolina Panthers, who signed him to their practice squad in November, but released McCrary a little over a month later.
The Cleveland Browns signed him to a reserve/future contract in the off-season, but he couldn’t make it through training camp before being released by both the Browns and the Green Bay Packers. He returned to the Browns’ practice squad in October, but lasted just a week before he was released.
Signing with the Michigan Panthers was not only a chance to get more game action, but also boost his highlight film for future NFL opportunities, McCrary said. This summer, he’s been training with a personal trainer in West Bloomfield, and keeping a fresh mindset for what the future may hold.
“I’m my biggest critic and I harshly judge myself on the season (with the Panthers),” McCrary said. “I realize I just need to keep the positive momentum going forward. The level of focus to be a back in the NFL is at a whole other level. I know I need to be extremely locked in.”
McCrary said from watching his game film, there were times when he could have eluded defenders for extra yards, or utilized his vision better for potential scores. He said he’s looking to shed a few pounds from his 6-foot, 220-pound frame and improve his speed and endurance, while consistently working on the fundamentals of the position.
Through it all, McCrary said his family and friends remain tremendously supportive, even through his multiple setbacks.
“My family has been a huge support, especially my dad,” McCrary said. “That’s my guy. Ever since I’ve been young, he’s been one I’ve been able to turn to, to look up to and receive that fatherly advice. Through the good times or the discouraging moments, we pray. We pray a lot. That helps me get back on track.”
Although he continues to face long odds, McCrary won’t be dismayed. In fact, he said he loves coming back to Muskegon when he can and catch a practice or two and talk with some of the younger Rockets or other Muskegon area student-athletes about his experiences chasing a dream.
“I love it,” he said. “It’s definitely something I don’t take for granted. I hope I can be an inspiration for younger people. Myself, I grew up in a rough part of (Muskegon) and I had to work to find a way out, a better opportunity. I hope I can give them as much hope as I can, both on the field and off the field.
“To me, (the setbacks are) not a big deal. I had a dream and I’m chasing it until it’s no longer possible,” he added. “As long as I give it everything I’ve got, I know I’ll have no regrets. Some people say, ‘I wish I would have done this, wish I could have done that.’ For me, I had a dream and I’m going out and doing it."
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – Get knocked down seven times, get back up eight.
It’s the only mindset that’s plausible for what Nate McCrary has gone through on his path to realize his National Football League dream.
The 2017 Reeths-Puffer graduate may have been cast aside by five different NFL teams over the past three seasons in his quest to lock down a secure roster spot as a running back or special teams performer, and while he admits being repeatedly cut during training camp or released from practice squads has cast doubts on his future and shaken his confidence, his faith and resilience to keep fighting remains as strong as ever.
That was evident from McCrary’s last experience in professional football, as he signed in the minor league United Football league in December with his home-state team, the Michigan Panthers. Although he was initially buried on the depth chart at running back, McCrary made the most of the opportunity, as he eventually saw more playing time later in the season, helping lead the Panthers to the league’s playoffs.
“It did give me a sense of pride playing for a home-state team,” McCrary, 25, said. “It was kind of like Detroit’s team, playing our (home) games at Ford Field.
“It was a challenging season,” he added. “Just week to week not being up (on the depth chart) and just fighting for a spot. It was just a weekly battle to try to show what I can do to my coaches.
“Our second game, I didn’t like my performance. For me, mentally, I was struggling. I haven’t felt like me in awhile, and you start to think, ‘You know, I’ve been told ‘No’ so many times, that maybe it’s starting to weigh on me a little bit.
“I realized I just needed to find my rhythm and get back to playing the game like I’ve always done before.”
McCrary said he slowly began to find that rhythm on the field when his coaches inserted him as a kick returner in Week 6 against the Arlington Renegades.
“I haven’t returned kicks since I was a freshman in college,” McCrary said. “I did it all the time in high school."
And due to a starter’s injury, McCrary also began seeing more carries at running back beginning in Week 8, which he said, “was the opportunity I was waiting for.”
“Where I’ve been and where I’ve come from, you realize there’s going to be tough times chasing a dream like this,” he said. “But with the dedication and hard work I’ve put in this game, you just tell yourself, you just got to run with it, compete and get myself back to the player that I’m capable of; playing with that swag.”
McCrary finished his Panthers’ season with 16 carries for 60 yards and one touchdown and had 111 yards on five kick returns. Under longtime NFL assistant and head coach Mike Nolan, the Panthers finished at 7-4 overall, losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Birmingham Stallions.
McCrary had boundless swag in 2019, when at SVSU, he turned in an outstanding junior season for the Cardinals, rushing 167 times for 1,060 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games. For his efforts, he was named a first-team all-conference selection in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Instead of potentially coming back for a monster senior season and leading the Cardinals to a winning record, the Covid-19 pandemic put a wrench in those plans. The GLIAC decided to cancel the entire 2020 season, forcing McCrary to make a tough decision, especially for a Division 2 player. Instead of sticking around for an extra Covid year of eligibility, McCrary decided to forgo his final year at SVSU and enter the NFL Draft.
McCrary said his decision was supported by his family, including mom Marla and dad Camp McCrary.
“I gave my parents my word that I’d come back and (finish) my degree,” said McCrary, who was majoring in Health Science.
Facing tough odds as a small-school entrant in the draft, McCrary went undrafted in 2021, but was signed by the Baltimore Ravens on May 1, 2021 as an undrafted free agent.
He said his first star-struck moment in the NFL came during his initial full-squad practice of training camp, when he was sharing the same field with stars like quarterback Lamar Jackson, receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and tight end Mark Andrews.
McCrary thought he had performed well enough in training camp to earn a roster spot as a backup running back or special teamer with the Ravens, however, he faced his first setback.
“I talked with Coach (John) Harbaugh and he laid it out that we’re going to cut you, but we want to bring you back on the practice squad,” McCrary recalled.
Before that could happen, however, the Denver Broncos signed McCrary off waivers. His stay in Denver didn’t last long, however, as the Broncos released him in late September.
McCrary said he really only wanted to return to the Ravens, and they signed him to a second stint and placed him on their practice squad.
McCrary was elevated to the main roster and saw his first game action against the Ravens’ fierce rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 5 2021.
“I was very nervous that first game,” he said. “Coming from a small school, I wasn’t used to the fans, the atmosphere, the big crowds.”
McCrary had just one carry for a 1-yard loss, and the Ravens suffered a 20-19 loss en route to an 8-9 season.
In 2022, the Ravens released McCrary for a second time, and he found his way to the Carolina Panthers, who signed him to their practice squad in November, but released McCrary a little over a month later.
The Cleveland Browns signed him to a reserve/future contract in the off-season, but he couldn’t make it through training camp before being released by both the Browns and the Green Bay Packers. He returned to the Browns’ practice squad in October, but lasted just a week before he was released.
Signing with the Michigan Panthers was not only a chance to get more game action, but also boost his highlight film for future NFL opportunities, McCrary said. This summer, he’s been training with a personal trainer in West Bloomfield, and keeping a fresh mindset for what the future may hold.
“I’m my biggest critic and I harshly judge myself on the season (with the Panthers),” McCrary said. “I realize I just need to keep the positive momentum going forward. The level of focus to be a back in the NFL is at a whole other level. I know I need to be extremely locked in.”
McCrary said from watching his game film, there were times when he could have eluded defenders for extra yards, or utilized his vision better for potential scores. He said he’s looking to shed a few pounds from his 6-foot, 220-pound frame and improve his speed and endurance, while consistently working on the fundamentals of the position.
Through it all, McCrary said his family and friends remain tremendously supportive, even through his multiple setbacks.
“My family has been a huge support, especially my dad,” McCrary said. “That’s my guy. Ever since I’ve been young, he’s been one I’ve been able to turn to, to look up to and receive that fatherly advice. Through the good times or the discouraging moments, we pray. We pray a lot. That helps me get back on track.”
Although he continues to face long odds, McCrary won’t be dismayed. In fact, he said he loves coming back to Muskegon when he can and catch a practice or two and talk with some of the younger Rockets or other Muskegon area student-athletes about his experiences chasing a dream.
“I love it,” he said. “It’s definitely something I don’t take for granted. I hope I can be an inspiration for younger people. Myself, I grew up in a rough part of (Muskegon) and I had to work to find a way out, a better opportunity. I hope I can give them as much hope as I can, both on the field and off the field.
“To me, (the setbacks are) not a big deal. I had a dream and I’m chasing it until it’s no longer possible,” he added. “As long as I give it everything I’ve got, I know I’ll have no regrets. Some people say, ‘I wish I would have done this, wish I could have done that.’ For me, I had a dream and I’m going out and doing it."
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