When Elijah Fields first came to Pitt, there was never any disputing his talent or potential. Anyone and everyone spoke glowingly of that aspect. It was the other stuff that gave people pause. The academics. The people with whom he stayed tight. Questions of how much he actually cared. Those were the things that could derail him. And eventually they did.
He missed time for academic issues. He missed time for “violating team rules.” He would make mistakes on the field because he was solely relying on his natural ability.
A week after Pitt freshmen check out the Mel Blount Youth Home for a bit of reality checking, a piece on Elijah Fields trying grow-up and make the NFL.
“I was 19, 20 years old back then and I know I made some real bad decisions and did some dumb things, but that was a long time ago,” said Fields, who was dismissed from Pitt’s football team in the spring of 2010 before his senior season.
“You go through stuff, you grow up, you mature and you have to move on. I’ve learned a lot through it all, I’m just ready for what is next for me.”
Fields was suspended several times and in the coaches’ doghouse many times at Pitt for various violations of rules. He was late for meetings, had a poor attitude and used marijuana.
But Fields, 25, said he has been on the straight and narrow for three years and recently completed an excellent season with the Green Bay Blizzard of the nine-team Indoor Football League. He hopes his performance will lead to an opportunity to achieve his ultimate dream: playing in the NFL.
To say Fields was a mess off-the-field is putting it mildly. He was suspended for the entire 2007 season after being suspended during spring practices. He gave Pitt no choice but to give up on him by the end. It wasn’t the immediate wake-up call. As sadly expected he couldn’t get his academics in shape enough to qualify at California University of Pennsylvania or North Alabama. Instead he began his minor league football career.
He’s said the right stuff before.
Three years later he may get a chance to at least try for that opportunity in the NFL. I hope he makes it. Even more, I hope his words of maturing and being focused are more than just words this time. He’s had the chances before, but blown them. For a football career, there isn’t much time left.
Talent aside, I remember talking to a member of his entourage when Fields was a junior. The guy was already talking about Fields’ NFL career.
It was easy to see then that he was being told the wrong things by the wrong people and it was not a surprise when he was booted at Pitt.
His story is another example of a very talented athlete not realizing his potential and now it may be too late.
Could have left Pitt as an All American and now he is a star in the indoor league. Happens way to often.
However, a lot can change if Pitt Commit Wade Freebeck really shines come fall.
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Freebeck, rated a three-star by Rivals.com, could improve his stock and draw greater attention from other schools. He said it won’t matter.
“I am solid (toward Pitt),” he said. “I took my time and did my diligence with research, finding out the best place. I’m definitely shutting it down.”
Trib Review
“Apparently it was reported by Scout & 247Sports that Marcus Collins committed to Pitt, but it turns out that he hasn’t received an offer.”
Now that’s funny wbb.
Sounds like Chyrst and crew at it again only in reverse.
Last year it happened often that the player didn’t know he had an offer. Orndoff, Challingsworth, etc.
On the plus side … 4-stars Alex Bookser, Ricky Walker, Shai MacKenzie and Montae Nicholsen all have Pitt on their final list … (Nicholsen’s final list is still 12 while the rest is 5, and he is the least likely of the above to join Pitt)
But there is still hope
Now that’s funny wbb.
Sounds like Chyrst and crew at it again only in reverse”
Pitt.Dan83, I believe the fact that you have already assumed that the fault that PC and staff were at fault here just shows how anti-Pitt you are. If these 2 sites listed Collins as a commit without confirmation from Pitt, this is clearly on them.
Unlike last year, this doesn’t appear to be a case where the player didn’t know he had an offer .. in fact, just the opposite if anything.
Send her in email to perm her hair !
Fields like so many from Duquesne HS is just the sort of kid PC doesn’t want on his team and I don’t blame him. What a pain in the rear end he was.
Unfortunately the streets are littered with guys like Fields.
Hope he gets a shot at the NFL. However most likely
will end up in the old neighborhood talking about what could
have been and reliving his high schools days.
