The Chronicles of Herb Haygood & his #1 "Cheerleader"

A story of highs, lows, and everything in between. Good luck following this ever changing time line of events as Herb pursues his dream and his biggest cheerleader, Emily is there every step of the way!!

“The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step…”

· Michigan State University Spartan Football 1997-2001: Herb had an outstanding career topping the record charts as a Wide Receiver and Kick Returner. He was team captain in 2001 among many other Big Ten honors. He even earned the prestigious title as “The Walter Camp Football All-American Kick Returner in 2001” appearing on ESPN and traveling out east for a black tie awards ceremony.

· January & February 2002: Herb traveled to San Diego to begin intensive training prior to the NFL Draft. Emily went to visit for Valentine’s Day!!! In between workouts, Emily & Herb visited the San Diego Zoo, the seals on the beach in La Jolla and more!

· NFL Draft April 20 & 21st, 2002: Herb was selected in the fifth round, #144 overall by the Denver Broncos. One of only 34 Wide Receivers to be drafted in 2002. Mom & Dad threw a big draft day party with Buffalo Wild Wings and lots of other goodies. Herb’s mom & some close friends were able to travel up to Michigan from Florida for the big occasion!

· July 2nd, 2002: Herb proposes to Emily!! Herb planned a dinner at Walnut Hills Country Club to celebrate their last dinner in East Lansing before moving to Colorado. Herb was acting goofy and not the least bit interested in his amazing dinner. Suddenly he gets down on one knee and grabs Emily’s right hand (yes, I said RIGHT hand) and proposes! Emily begins to giggle at Herb thinking this was one of the many “fake” proposals she had received, as we all know that Herb had been introducing Emily’s mom & dad as his in-laws for years!! But, NO!! This was the real deal! Emily said YES and they anxiously drove home to share the exciting news.

· After a promising 2002 pre-season with the Broncos, Herb was signed to the Practice Squad. (one of only 5 practice squad players the team can carry all season)

· In the middle of the season…Herb got the call! Herb and Emily were out for their usual “drive”, a way to spend time together chatting and they received a call reporting that “Coach Shanahan” would like to see Herb in his office. The usual “drive” went from chatting away to unnerving silence as we drove to the Bronco headquarters unsure what the future would hold. THIS TIME…would be incredible news. The Broncos had released a roster receiver in order to move Herb up! His hard work in practice had paid off and his jersey number changed from #13 to #82. We were ecstatic!!!!

· October 2002: On a visit back to MI, Emily came back to Colorado with a new addition to the family. A little Yorkshire Terrier named “Rocky Mountain Terror”. Herb was always hesitant around dogs, but soon became best buds with “his boy” Rocky!

· In addition to playing for the Broncos, Herb & Emily enjoyed lots about Denver. So many neat places to drive and visit. On one of many drives, Herb spotted an inner-city high school called Denver West. The football team was out practicing. You know… you can’t just drive by without checking it out! Emily & Rocky stayed in the vehicle and Herb ventured out to meet the kids. In Herb’s spare time he helped with practices and even attended a few games. The coaches and players were more than thrilled to have a Denver Bronco volunteer his time. Herb even got all the coaches and players (who attained a certain grade in school) tickets to a Denver Broncos game. Herb chummed up his fellow players like Rod Smith, Ed McCaffery, and others for some extra tickets. Little did Herb know, this was just the beginning of his coaching days.

· The Broncos ended their season 9-7. Herb remained on the roster for off-season training.

· March 1st, 2003: Break from football…to become Mr. & Mrs. Haygood!! Herb & Emily were married by Rev. Cooper (Spartan Football Team Chaplin) at the MSU Alumni Chapel and honeymooned in Maui & Oahu, Hawaii.

· Herb had another successful pre-season with the Denver Broncos in 2003, with one exception. One that would determine the rest of his football career.

· On August 9th, 2003: Herb experienced a neck injury often described as a “stinger” during the 2nd quarter against the Houston Texans. With his job & dream on the line, Herb played through the pain.

· August 11, 2003: Herb received an MRI by Denver Broncos team doctors indicating a neck injury with disc protrusion at C4-5.

· Herb returned to play with a neck brace, almost unheard of for a wide receiver to wear. He continued to practice and play with his injury, but it seemed to progressively worsen. He began experiencing neurological damage and his left shoulder and arm began to atrophy.
· August 31st, 2003: Herb was released from the Denver Broncos without word of continued treatment for his injury. It was a very sad day, but with Herb’s talent and reputation we had high hopes that this too shall pass.

· September 8-9th, 2003, the Houston Texans flew Herb out for a workout. The weakness in his neck & shoulder deterred their interest in acquiring Herb.

· September 15th, 2003: The New England Patriots flew Herb to Boston for a workout. Herb did not pass the physical due to his injury.

· September 22-23rd, 2003: The San Diego Chargers flew Herb out for a workout. This was a last minute trip and Herb was in such a rush that he forgot his wallet including his driver’s license. The Denver Airport was a good 30-40 minutes from the apartment, so Emily would never make it back in time with his ID. The joke is that the Denver Airport is really located in Nebraska! The Denver Airport staff was so familiar with Herb’s face in the past few weeks that the TSA allowed him to board the airplane without proper identification on the condition that we next-day mail it to him in San Diego for his return flight. YEA!!! After an extensive physical in San Diego, it was determined that Herb would not be allowed to workout for the team as a result of the injury he incurred while playing for the Broncos. Their organization urged Herb to file an injury grievance against the Denver Broncos. Contractually a NFL team cannot release an injured player without settlement.

· September 29th, 2003: We traveled to Ft. Collins, CO for Herb to meet with an orthopedic specialist, Dr. Rocci Trumper.

· October 5-6th, 2003: The Detroit Lions flew Herb out for a workout. Once again, he did not pass the extensive physical.

· October 2003: After failing 4 NFL team physicals in one month, we decided it would be best for Herb to travel to Florida to receive medical treatment & rehabilitation on his neck injury. He spent all day, every day with the amazing doctors at Dr. Tarras Kochno’s world renowned Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinic. Herb flew back later that month to continue therapy on his own.

· October 21-22nd, 2003: The Washington Redskins flew Herb out to D.C. for a workout. Though Herb was getting stronger, the weakness was still noted and he was not signed.

· October 27-28th, 2003: Another plane trip...Herb worked out for the Kansas City Chiefs.

· November 3-4th, 2003: The Indianapolis Colts flew Herb down to workout. He received an extensive physical and his weakness was discussed.

· November 5th, 2003: After agreeing to sign a waiver acknowledging the existing weakness in his neck/shoulder area…Herb was signed to the Indianapolis Colt’s Practice Squad.

· December 3rd, 2003: Herb was released from the Indianapolis Colts Practice Squad following some position changes within the team.

· December 8th, 2003: The San Francisco 49ers flew Herb out for a workout. The 49ers were very anxious to sign Herb if he passed the physical to their satisfaction. However, after evaluating the MRI taken by the Denver Broncos they decided his injury was too risky.

· December 15-16th, 2003: Herb traveled to Miami to workout for the Dolphins. The Dolphins took another MRI, and did not like the lack of progress with Herb’s injury.

· December 16-17th, 2003: The Tennessee Titans flew Herb from Miami to Nashville to sign him as a Kick Returner, which they were in desperate need of to end the season and continue to playoffs. Herb was fitted for his equipment and assigned a locker, but after talking to the doctors in Miami about his MRI, the Titans decided they could not take the chance with Herb’s injury.

Are you keeping up with all of this?!?

Throughout the 2003 season, Herb proceeded to workout for 10 different NFL teams in 4 months! That is 1/3 of all the teams in the NFL. This is almost UNHEARD of, players are lucky to get 1 or 2 workouts after being released. This chain of events exhibits how Herb’s talents were in great demand but nearly every chance was hindered by his neck injury incurred during the pre-season with the Broncos. Throughout all of this, Herb continued to train and get stronger.

Herb & Emily moved back to Michigan from Colorado to stay with Mom & Dad Weaver. Emily substitute taught in the area at various elementary & middle schools before obtaining a job in Okemos, MI working for Public Consulting Group. The school Medicaid project she was hired to work on required frequent travel to Chicago. All the while Emily supported and cheered on Herb in his dream to play professional football! Together or apart, Herb knew who his biggest cheerleader was!

· January 2004: The Kansas City Chiefs signed Herb as a free agent with intentions to send him to play football in the NFL Europe League. This would give the Chiefs an opportunity to evaluate Herb’s progress & strength during the off-season after sustaining such a serious injury.

· March 2004: Herb is selected to play for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe. American Football in Scotland! The Scottish Claymores are celebrating their 10th season and in commemoration, Herb is chosen by the organization to wear #10. The NFL Europe teams do their initial training and cuts in Tampa, FL.

· April to June 2004: Herb travels abroad to play American football all over Europe…Scotland, Germany, etc.

· May 2004: Emily & Mom & Dad travel to Scotland for a long vacation to cheer Herb on and do some amazing sight seeing. Herb welcomed them to Scotland by returning a kick-off for a touchdown!!! Just like the Spartan days! We had a wonderful time with lots of fond memories! None of which will be of the food! Can I just say…I can see why whiskey is so popular over in Scotland.

· Summer 2004: Herb returns from Scotland to train with the Kansas City Chiefs. He spends the 2004 NFL pre-season with the Chiefs, but there was never really a spot for another wide receiver on the roster. A highlight of his summer with the Kansas City Chiefs was meeting the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

· October 2004: Canadian Football League. Herb travels to Montreal, Quebec to play for the Allouettes. Canadian Football is much different, but he enjoyed his time spent with the Allouettes. He just wasn’t certain the CFL was for him.

· December 2004: Herb signs with the Tampa Bay Storm, an Arena Football Team. Herb & Emily move to Tampa, Florida. Emily’s first “beach” Christmas! No snow. Herb’s hometown and family are only an hour away in Sarasota, FL. Emily quickly obtains a new job at the University of South Florida working with transfer students in admissions.

· May 2005: Emily worked with a wonderful group of people at USF. All of her co-workers signed a USF Bulls Football with their well wishes! Leaving was bittersweet, when Herb decided to give the CFL another chance after being sought after by the British Columbia Lions. Herb traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia to train with the Lions. Herb & Emily moved back to Michigan again. Emily worked briefly for the TEACH Program, but then in October 2005 happily began working at Dad’s Veterinary Clinic, Apple Grove Veterinary Care.

· August 2005: After the many trials and tribulations of Herb’s playing career, he decided to return to Michigan State University to finish his Bachelor’s Degree. After the 2001 Spartan Football Season, Herb traveled to San Diego to train for the 2002 NFL Draft, which meant leaving MSU several credits short of a degree. Time to hit the books again!

· Herb had many hard courses remaining such as Human Anatomy (including working on cadavers!), Physiology, Sports Psychology and several more. Herb took classes part-time. He worked hard at his studies in addition to working as a youth counselor at Highfields, Inc. and dabbling in local arena football, like the Battle Creek Crunch.

· July 2006: Herb was hired as Olivet College’s Wide Receivers & Special Teams Coach. He continued to take courses at MSU.

· March 2007: Herb was nearing the end of his degree requirements, playing & coaching for the Kalamazoo Xplosion and founding a non-profit organization called the “Herb Haygood Off-Season Skills Camp”.

· Summer 2007: The “Herb Haygood Off-Season Skills Camp” was demanding all of Herb’s extra time and became Emily’s second full-time job!! The organization was created to to reach youth from diverse ranges of cultural, demographic, and academic backgrounds by raising funds through various camps and charity events to purchase and donate football equipment to underfunded local schools incapable of providing current equipment to its participants. The Charity Golf Event took place on July 15th, with the camp to follow July 16th-20th.

· July 2007: Herb is offered a Minority Coaching Fellowship with the New England Patriots, but declines the incredible offer to accept a full-time job at Saginaw Valley State University as Assistant Football Coach, Wide Receivers.

· August 2007: Herb completes his Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in coaching!!!!!!!!! Yippee!!! Another Spartan grad!!
Story to be continued…but, this time on the other side of the ball…COACH HAYGOOD!!!

Along the way, Herb & Emily have so many unique memories it would be impossible to recite them all. Football has given them the opportunity to travel so many different places and meet so many wonderful people.