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Adams: Graduation is better than a touchdown for Staley

By John Adams (Contact)
Originally published 07:59 p.m., May 8, 2008
Updated 07:59 p.m., May 8, 2008

Tennessee coaches told Maurice Staley he was blowing a great opportunity. Family members told him the same thing.

But he couldn't hear them for the roar of the crowd.

The crowd got in Staley's head early. It helped identify him as a football star by the time he was in the second grade. Every game, every season reinforced that self-image.

He scored three touchdowns in a game before he attended his first class as a high school sophomore in Charlotte, N.C. Blue Chip Illustrated rated him as the No. 1 receiver prospect before he signed with the University of Tennessee in 1994.

College wasn't a goal. It was a gateway.

One day, the gate would open and Staley would step into the NFL, where further stardom awaited. He had no doubts.

"No doubt at all," Staley said with a laugh.

The laugh reflects Staley's transformation. He will graduate from UT today, 14 years after he enrolled the first time.

"Attaining my degree is better than any touchdown I've ever scored," he said.

The degree means more because it comes from UT. It means he has finished what he started 14 years ago.

"I wanted to come back and face what I had done," Staley said. "When I looked at my transcript (upon his return to school in 2004), I was embarrassed. It was terrible."

Staley accomplished virtually nothing academically in his first two years at UT. He didn't live up to his recruiting billing as a football player, either.

After the 1995 season, in which he caught 25 passes for 307 yards, he was dismissed from UT following a positive drug test.

"Coach (Phillip) Fulmer told me it was an attitude thing," Staley said. "He said talent was never my problem. It was my off-the-field issues.

"I thought because of my talent somebody owed me something."

The dismissal from UT didn't change his mind. A year later, he tried out for the Carolina Panthers, still confident that his talent would prevail.

He said he impressed the Panthers by catching 150 passes without a drop in a tryout.

"But I was noncompliant, just as I was at UT," Staley said. "I had the audacity to take (the same attitude) from a university to the NFL business."

Staley never played a down in the NFL. He never scored another touchdown. And the crowd that once applauded him fell by the wayside.

"When you lose what you have identified with for so long, I can't even explain the void - the pain I felt," Staley said. "You feel like you don't know the person that stares back from in the mirror. All those people who were cheering you because you are an athlete, they're gone."

As stunning as that must have been, it didn't change Staley. He still partied and drank too much while working in a series of "dead-end" jobs.

But that didn't cure his deepening depression. And it didn't alter the reality of his failure. He had wasted his football ability.

"All I had been told by family and coaches - 'It's nobody's fault but yours' - was right," he said.

The self-realization was the first step toward a different life. He then reclaimed his Christian faith that his mother and step-father had introduced him to as a child.

"I guess you could say I had a 'burning bush' experience," he said. "It was just me and the Lord.

"The date was June 6, 2003. That's the last time I had a drink or any other mind-altering stuff."

A year later, he called Dan Carlson, the director of UT's RAC (Renewing Academic Commitment), which assists former student-athletes. Staley moved to Knoxville, got a full-time job at night and re-enrolled at UT as a part-time student. He also visited his former football coach.

"The first thing I did when I got back was talk to coach Fulmer," Staley said. "I told him that I respected him and loved him, and I thanked him for the opportunity to come back."

Staley's second UT experience has been nothing like his first.

Two years ago, he married Becki Wells, and they now have two small children. His transcript looks different, too. He will graduate today with a degree in psychology.

"And my family will be just as happy as if I had been drafted in the NFL," he said.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       54 Comments

Posted by TommyJack on May 8, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good article

Posted by dcvolfan98 on May 8, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go Maurice. Congratulations for getting it together and turning your life around. Your wife and kids will be proud!! Maybe you could stick around campus and try to help those who are much younger than you are but think much like you did. Maybe we could see fewer offseason headlines made by student-athletes and more headlines about young people who are prepared for life after college.

Posted by ggriggs939 on May 8, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maurice should be hired by the University as a consultant for the students and athletes who enroll at UT. He is just one of many who have made bad choices and wasted a period of their lives because of an attitude that was more important to them than reality. He has finally matured and applied himself to the pursuit of a
goal that will help him throughout his life. The cheers won't be as loud as some he has heard, but the results will be more meaningful.

Posted by Bigger_Al on May 8, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe he can get a gig as the KNS Sports Editor. Can't be worse than the buffoon they have now...

Posted by FWBVol on May 8, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maurice's story should be an inspiration for all of us whether we ever played sports or not.

Speaking from personal experience, it's not just athletes that UT gives second chances to. The academic reentry program allows students that have been out for several years to return to school and works with them to correct past problems. After, I believe it's 24 academic hours, a reentry student can petition that their new GPA be counted on their record. They are credited with passing all classes they had previously made a C or better in, and the new GPA is placed on their record if the petition is approved.

When I returned to school I had a 1.80. Through academic second opportunity, I graduated with a 3.21. I was 40 when I went back 10 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did career wise.

It's not too late for anyone to get that degree from UT. And alumni everywhere will welcome new graduates into our family.

Posted by murrayvol on May 8, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FWBVol: Good move. Better late than never. I'm afraid it is too late for some though.

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on May 8, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great turnaround, Maurice. Sounds like you've reckoned with the Lord and He's changed your life. I wish you the very best and, too, I hope some other ex-Vols can learn from what you've been through.

Posted by MillisaAnn on May 8, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's a great idea ggriggs939, He could help alot of the younger players.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 9, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams.

Thank you for writing this article. As crazy as it sounds, I half believe this is a bit of penance for another article that was over the top. This article shows that Fulmer has given tough love and it has had a positive effect on more players than we realize. Good show John Adams.

Posted by DenmarkVol on May 9, 2008 at 2:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats, Maurice. A new life for you. Your best days and years are still ahead of you. Carpe diem...

Posted by nicksjuzunk on May 9, 2008 at 5:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wonder if Peyton could've beaten Florida with Maurice having his head on straight...

Can anyone say National Championship?

Posted by rabidvol1998 on May 9, 2008 at 6:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Volinlusu. Great point. We generally hear about too many chances being given. This is one where coach cut the cord and it took a while for the player to get the point. Some get it by being let go, so by getting another chance on the team. Coach Fulmer makes those tough decisions and we should always respect that whether we agree with the decision or not.

The internet is amazing. I'm sitting in Beijing China talking UT football.

Go Vols.

Posted by GreerVol22 on May 9, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

alcohol and drugs are baffling how they can grip certain individuals and really ruin the best years of their lives. Fortunately, I had the desire never to give them the chance.

Posted by txvolsfan on May 9, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great though ggriggs, With a psych degree it would be a natural. The Lord will lead you down the right path!!!
Congratulations Maurice.

Posted by TheVolMan on May 9, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great article--really happy for Maurice. Nice to see nearly no buffoon JA-bashing weenies posting today. Perhaps they graduated at some time in their lives and are smart enough to stick to their supposed KNS boycott. LOL...

Again, this was a great article about Maurice, Coach Fulmer and Tennessee football. As always, great job John.

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 9, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good article Mr. Adams. You've found your forte.

FWB, wish I could have done that re-entry, forget your gpa thingy after my freshman year.

So many kids, not just athletes, grow up with that ego and attitude coloring their worlds. Some never grow out of it, evidenced by some posters on here. Nice to see the light bulb come on for Mr. Staley.

Posted by johnlg00 on May 9, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I knew Staley slightly when he was here before. He seemed like a fairly nice guy with a good personality, but it was clear that he was all about his self-image as an athlete, which was the only thing he seemed to take seriously. I was sad but not surprised when he was dismissed. I am surprised but elated that he has seemingly turned his life around. I agree with others that he would be a great addition to the UT staff in some capacity, while he is still young enough to relate to today's players.

Posted by orangesox on May 9, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to agree that this is a great story. As someone who fooled around in my younger years and didn't get my degree when i should have, i can relate. It's a little different when you get older and it's actually your money paying for the classes. You certainly are forced to take things more seriously.

I am also pleasantly surprised that some of the usual suspects haven't chimed in bashing Maurice for trying to get his act together.

Posted by invisiblekid on May 9, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice story regarding Staley and I hope he can be an example for the majority of athletes who will not make it into the pro arena.

On a side note, I didn't condone the fire Fulmer article by Adams or his actions after the fact in the least. However, it would be nice if we didn't have to hear the slams against him every time he puts pen to paper. This story is about Maurice Staley, not John Adams. He writes a feel-good success story about a former player and it still goes back to an opinion piece that happened 3 months ago.

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on May 9, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid, great point and I fully agree.

Posted by TommyJack on May 9, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What The Kid said.

Posted by bricker865 on May 9, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great article. Better late than never for sure.

Posted by bricker865 on May 9, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FWBVol...agreed. Mine came a bit later in life as well. The paper in the frame still look the same on the wall regardless, the way I look at it.

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on May 9, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams you suck!! This article only helps to point out what an idiot you are for calling for coach Fulmer's Job!

Posted by FlushTheJohn on May 9, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would anyone congratulate JA for this story? All he has done is contradict his previous points against coach Fulmer. I guarantee you he is not trying to make amines, he is just an idiot! He went on a 3 state campaign to get Fulmer fired for god's sake!!

We as Vol fans have absolutely nothing to thank John Adams for!!

Posted by thesavageorange on May 9, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ggriggs939 at 8:41 p.m. ,Excellent idea.Good post!

murrayvol ,AMEN indeed!

invisiblekid at 9:32 a.m. ,Totally agree.This is much bigger than an opinion peace.Cease fire!

Posted by invisiblekid on May 9, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks BVC, TJ, and SavageO.

Posted by MemfrisVOL on May 9, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i would totally trade my degree from UT for a touchdown at Neyland Stadium

Posted by spam247buster on May 9, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Could someone in the KNS Sports dept check on John Adams-- I don't think he's feeling well. He just wrote a positive column about a former UT football player, and even put a quote in the column that was complimentary of Phil Fulmer!
Congratulations on graduating, Maurice-- best of luck to you in your future endeavors!

Posted by givehim6 on May 9, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Another example of someone whom got over themselves and getting back on the wright path after God gets hold of there lives. I do hope he can work with or for UT in a way to help some of UT's problem kids.

Posted by bricker865 on May 9, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MemfrisVOL....are you kidding? a degree you would trade...well, maybe for a game winning touchdown I might...that might be enough to ease my conscience.

Posted by nafslov on May 9, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

14 years !!!! Are you kidding me ????? Would 102,000 people pay $ 50 to watch him go through graduation ? Good article but it's about winning football not education ! Go Vols !

Posted by MemfrisVOL on May 9, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

for a moment to be a god in the the coolest football atmosphere on the planet, sure. I didnt need the degree for what i do now anyway. Plus, being an exVol football player would help bring in more clientele to my unlicensed back-alley abortion clinic...hypothetical perks I know.

Posted by jcherrie on May 9, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow - what a great story.

Posted by rrvolfan on May 9, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

:
:
:
From reading the comments, it looks like John Adams may have written a nice article... To bad that I will never read it....

John Adams will always be a jerk in my book...

JOHN ADAMS BYLINE = IGNORE THIS ARTICLE
:
:
:

Posted by JCknox on May 9, 2008 at 4:17 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by davidray31 on May 9, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great article John Adams.Way to go Staley.Great player,bad decisions,turned out to bounce back and become heck of a man. Got to go,Lofton is coming on Jim Rome is burning!!

Posted by pdhuff on May 9, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kudoes, Staley, you're a rare one.

Posted by Vol13 on May 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Boy, ya'll really showed John Adams by negatively commenting about an unrelated subject on this thread regarding this great story. Awesome boycott. I wish I was so good at boycotting. How do you do it? Please, tell us your secrets. I bet ya'll could make a fortune selling Amway as well. ROTFL!!!!!!

Posted by philfan on May 9, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I like the John Adams who is able to tell such a poignant, human interest story of a former UT player who lost his way, found it again, and finally got his life going in the right direction.

I despise the John Adams who slanders our great football coach, who accuses him of turning players long ago graduated into thugs, and who travels far and wide, even into the State of Alabama, to denounce him publicly.

I hope we see more well thought out stories like this one instead of the articles which appear to be biased and based upon conjecture and vindictiveness.

Posted by IPOrange on May 9, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice. Best wishes, Maurice. You have an opportunity before you now to be a positive role model to others. Your God given talent may just turn out to be something other than athletic skills. Use this talent wisely.

Posted by Vol13 on May 9, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sometimes I wonder what some of you people do for a living. For those who are unaware, there are some people in this world in positions of power who are actually accountable for other people and their actions during their watch. If they screw up, you shoulder some of the blame.

Fulmer's the coach. If one of his players is out of line, then he is partly responsible whether you like it or not. All John Adams did was deliver the message.

Posted by vols72 on May 9, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13...wipe the off your chin...we can see you are Adams boy!!!! lol

Posted by Vol13 on May 9, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

72, you are your ilk or more Fulmer's boys it seems. I've never seen a group of grown men (presumably) try to shield someone who is so mediocre. At least when he's gone in 3 years or so we won't have to put up with it anymore.

Posted by LongtimeVol on May 10, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Another excellent Adams article and an inspiring story.

Posted by philfan on May 10, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13,

Fulmer will not be gone in three years. He has said he will coach until age 65 and maybe longer and Mike Hamilton has stated that Fulmer can stay as long as he likes. Once again you are incorrect. In fact, it would not surprise me in the least if Fulmer stays in his current position longer than Adams stays in his. Just wait and see.

Posted by gregorsamsa2 on May 10, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe he can get a gig as the KNS Sports Editor. Can't be worse than the buffoon they have now...

Vol13...wipe the off your chin...we can see you are Adams boy!!!! lol

Posted by TouchdownTennessee on May 10, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

philfan - if Foolmer doesn't quit eating, he's going to die before he turns 65. He and Chavis look like they are about to blow out twins. Break out the Krispe Kremes boys. John Adams needs to take his anti FOOLmer show on the road to more places than Alabubba. The world wants to know the truth about the fat pumpkin.

Posted by philfan on May 11, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13,

Why is your handle Vol13. Why not Vol12 or Vol14. Some people consider 13 an unlucky number. Does this reflect your wish for the Vols to do poorly in football or does it reflect a consistently negative attitude towards life in general? Yes, I do agree that Fulmer is overweight and needs to lose some pounds. I think he would be the first to admit he is obese. But what does that have to do with Tennessee football?

Posted by TouchdownTennessee on May 11, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

philfan - your momma is overweight. FOOLmer is so fat, he hasn't seen his penis in 10 years.

Posted by General_Fritter on May 11, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I personally think it was the girl with the brases.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uRd25...

Posted by General_Fritter on May 11, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oops - should have typed "braces"

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