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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

During his time as a member of the Troup High football team, Christian Morris never made a tackle or scored a touchdown, but there was never a doubt he was a part of the family.

Morris joined the support staff when he was a freshman, and by his sophomore season, he was the team’s equipment manager, and he remained in that position for the next three seasons.

Morris served a critical role on the team, and head coach Tanner Glisson put a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

“His teammates respect him.

They treat him just like he’s a player, like a teammate,” Glisson said. “They have that level of respect for how hard he works on and off the field. He’d done everything here from being the equipment manager, to washing clothes, to being on the headset, to charting plays, to doing things on Hudl highlights.”

Morris’ dedication to his craft has not gone unnoticed.

Morris received a scholarship offer from Reinhardt University to be an equipment manager for the football team, and he readily accepted.

On Wednesday afternoon, Morris celebrated that decision during a ceremony in the Troup High indoor practice facility.

Morris is appreciative of the help he has received from everyone at Troup, including Glisson, who has been with him every step of the way.

“His support meant the most. He’s treated me just like one of his top recruits,” Morris said. “That’s what I’m going to miss most about Troup, everybody is so welcoming and supportive. They were always high-fiving me, treating me with respect. It’s amazing. I couldn’t be happier.”

For Morris, the idea of being an equipment manager in college really began to blossom during a trip to Georgia Tech in March of 2019.

Morris and some other members of the support staff at Troup went to Georgia Tech and were given the tour while spending time with people with similar responsibilities on the college level.

“I got a chance to tour, and just see how they do things. And I thought, is there a realistic chance I can do this in college,” Morris said.

Morris asked about the possibility of earning a scholarship to be an equipment manager, and he received an honest answer.

“They said you’ve got a chance, but it’s a long shot,” Morris said. “I always bet on myself, and said I’m going to make it happen.”

Glisson is grateful to Georgia Tech for rolling out the red carpet and helping Morris realize what was possible.

“I think this thing started with a dream several years ago when we took our equipment managers up to Georgia Tech for a visit, just to see how they did things,” Glisson said. “I want to think (head coach) Geoff Collins for allowing it to happen. I think at that moment, it opened a door for Christian to have this opportunity to go do what he loves. We’re very grateful to Georgia Tech for kind of getting that thing started.”

The passion that Morris displayed and the effort he gave was appreciated not only by his coaches, but by the players.

Royce White, an offensive lineman who is heading to the University of Memphis to play football, always took note of how seriously Morris took his responsibilities.

“He’s really worked hard,” White said. “At every single practice, he’s working just as hard as us, just in a different way. I never see him just being lazy. He’s always busy and working hard.”

Once Morris proved that he could handle the responsibility, Glisson stepped back and let his equipment manager to his job.

“I’ve been blessed,” Morris said. “Ever since I took over my sophomore year, he’s let me have whatever guys I want. He’s given me free rein to handle my staff. It’s been amazing to have that freedom.”

For Glisson, helping Morris is no different than being there for one of the players trying to land a spot with a college program.

“We talk about it all the time that there’s a place for every single person in our program here at Troup,” Glisson said. “Now, you put your money where your mouth is, and it shows what that really looks like. It looks like Christian Morris.”

Reinhardt, Glisson added, is “getting a good one. I called and talked to their coaches and say hey, I highly recommend this guy, and they said we’re going to offer him. That’s just great.”