Last January Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry had a decision to make. He could continue his career at Marshall University and earn his degree or move and enter the NFL draft and potentially become a millionaire. It’s a decision that might be a no-brainer for some young men lured by the thoughts of money and fame in the NFL. However Curry decided to come back to Huntington for his senior year and both he and everybody in Herd Nation are thankful he came back for one more season.
“I was wishy-washy to come back to school and this was one of my goals,” said Curry.
That goal, leading Marshall to a bowl victory, which is exactly what he did Tuesday night as Marshall beat FIU 20-10 in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl. Curry had a monster senior season piling up 11 sacks and 22 tackles for loss and improving his draft status along the way.
“I definitely don’t have any regrets about joining the league last year,” said Curry.
Whenever there was a play in the backfield or Marshall needed a spark on defense it seemed like Curry was there making the play or drawing the double team that allowed one of his teammates to fly into the backfield and make life miserable for quarterbacks.
“I asked him to come back and be our captain and he did that,” remembered Head Coach Doc Holliday. “I asked him to come back and be the conference player of the year and he did that.”
Holliday praised Curry for listening to the right people as he made his decision to return to school. Curry consulted his aunt, the only other person in his family to have earned her college degree. Instead of speaking with people who may have only had their interest in mind, Curry trusted the person who gave him advice with only his best interest at heart.
Curry’s career at Marshall may be over, but his football career is not.
“Now is time to rest my body and get after it,” asserted Curry.
His goal now is continue making quarterbacks lives miserable, but now he wants to do it on Sunday’s.
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