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There was a time in 2006 when you could wander into Nippert Stadium and see young men throwing and catching footballs and practicing routes. While some would have had cleats and proper gear, you may have noticed one in street clothes and construction boots.
It wasn’t any form of combat training. Chances are it was a cornerback-turned-receiver named Marshwan Gilyard. A recruit of former UC coach Mark Dantonio’s, Gilyard played as a freshman in 2005, then was banished in 2006 for not going to class and owing the University money.
Teammates, like former quarterback Dustin Grutza and receivers Dominick Goodman and Marcus “Bones” Barnett would eventually gather some cleats and gear for “Mardy”. Gilyard was working as many as four jobs at the time, one of them in construction, thus the boots. With the help of former UC assistant coach Tim Hinton, who stayed on from Dantonio to new coach Brian Kelly, Gilyard was welcomed back to the team.
Moved to receiver, Gilyard would become UC’s leader in reception yards, all-purpose yards and kickoff return yards under Kelly as the Bearcats would eventually reach New Year’s Bowl status with appearances in the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Gilyard returns this weekend to be inducted into the James P. Kelly Athletic Hall of Fame Friday and be introduced Saturday at the Big 12 opener with Houston. As he would during his playing days, he’s vowed to make a return to the student section.
Mardy Gilyard celebrates with other University of Cincinnati students after UC beat Illinois 49-36 at Nippert Stadium in Nov. 2009.
Gilyard could be temperamental as he once told coaches, “Do you want Mardy on Tuesday or do you want Mardy on Saturday?” when questioned about missing practice. He reflected that brutal honesty speaking to The Enquirer this week.
Mardy Gilyard has issues with NIL, transfer portal
“It…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/former-cincinnati-bearcats-receiver-mardy-030819236.html
Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer
Publish date : 2024-09-18 03:08:19
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