One of the great realities of the NFL is that where you come from matters not, once you get there. Undrafted players like Brooklyn born and raised Rashaad Coward are driven to beat the odds and make an NFL roster.
Rookie Rashaad Coward runs through a drill during a recent practice at Halas Hall.
"I was frustrated at first," Coward said. "I told my sisters that I'm really mad because all these calls that they really like you and they don't pull the trigger. I said I am just going to make them regret it at the end of the day. "
A 6-foot-6, 310-pound defensive lineman, Coward signed with the Bears out of Old Dominion and is featured in "Meet the Rookies" on ChicagoBears.com.
"I've been waiting for this since high school, watching guys I played against get drafted or picked up and making the most of their opportunity and I know I can do it too."
Coward faced several forks in the road during his prep playing days and we learn how coaches who believed in him at every level tapped into his passion for the game. The end result is a driven player ready to go to work on realizing his dream.
The Bears launched their "Meet The Rookies" series Monday, featuring quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Subsequent parts will highlight running back Tarik Cohen Wednesday and tight end Adam Shaheen Thursday. The series, brought to you by the Chicago Tribune, tells the story of each player's journey to the National Football League in their own words. This marks the third year of the Bears "Meet the Rookies" series.
The series will culminate with a 30-minute special featuring all four episodes on WFLD FOX 32 Friday at 9:30 p.m.
