Maurice Morris

Rushing yards:	3,648
Rushing average:	4.2
Rushing touchdowns:	13
Receptions:	151
Receiving yards:	1,163
Receiving touchdowns:	5

Maurice Morris
	Morris after a game on November 2, 2008
No. 20, 28
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	December 1, 1979 (age 44); Chester, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:	Chester
College:	Oregon
NFL draft:	2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 54
Career history
	Seattle Seahawks (2002–2008); Detroit Lions (2009–2011);
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:
Rushing yards:	3,648
Rushing average:	4.2
Rushing touchdowns:	13
Receptions:	151
Receiving yards:	1,163
Receiving touchdowns:	5
	Player stats at PFR

Last updated May 24, 2024

Maurice Autora Morris (born December 1, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions.^[1]

Early life

Morris attended Chester High School in Chester, South Carolina. As a senior, he rushed for over 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns. He holds several school records including: Most Yards Gained (3,708); Most Carries (593); Most Touchdowns Scored: (45); Most Points Scored: (298); and All-Purpose Yards Gained: (4,487).

Morris began his college career at Fresno City College in 1998. He then went to the University of Oregon, where he became the starting running back and helped the Ducks to a 2002 Fiesta Bowl victory. In the Fiesta Bowl, he ran for a highlight-reel 49-yard touchdown, during which he landed on top of a defender and got up without touching the ground.^[2]

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

Morris was the Seattle Seahawks primary kickoff returner between 2002 and 2004. He was consistent though unspectacular and was supplanted by Josh Scobey for kick returning duties in 2005. Morris saw limited action behind Shaun Alexander, the 2005 MVP, though his contributions did not go unnoticed by teammates. Alexander told the Seattle Times on August 17, 2006 that Morris could start for at least ten different teams in the NFL and could produce a thousand rushing yards and eight or nine touchdowns if given the opportunity.

In the 2005 playoffs when the Seahawks played the Washington Redskins, Alexander went out with a concussion and Morris filled in capably, helping the Seahawks to victory.

During the 2006 season, Alexander was out for 6 games and Morris filled in. He finished the season with 604 rushing yards playing all 16 regular season games. His best season to date is the 2007 season where he finished with 628 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns and 1 receiving touchdown. He played 14 games during the regular season.

When the Seahawks signed Julius Jones and released Shaun Alexander prior to the 2008 season, it appeared Morris would be the backup again. While Jones did get more carries on the season (158 to Morris' 132), Morris arguably contributed more effectively to the Seahawks' running game. Consequently, Morris replaced Jones as the Seahawks' feature back during the latter part of the season. In the final 6 weeks of the season, Morris had 93 carries compared to Jones' 19.

Detroit Lions

On February 27, 2009, Morris signed a three-year, $7 million deal with the Detroit Lions.^[3]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Rushing					Receiving
Year	Team	GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
2002	SEA	11	0	32	153	4.8	24	0	3	25	8.3	12	0
2003	SEA	16	1	38	239	6.3	43	0	4	32	8.0	13	1
2004	SEA	15	0	30	126	4.2	12	0	9	53	5.9	12	0
2005	SEA	16	2	71	288	4.1	49	1	5	48	9.6	20	0
2006	SEA	16	8	161	604	3.8	29	0	11	46	4.2	27	0
2007	SEA	14	6	140	628	4.5	46	4	23	213	9.3	34	1
2008	SEA	13	6	132	574	4.3	45	0	19	136	7.2	13	2
2009	DET	14	3	93	384	4.1	64	2	26	210	8.1	19	0
2010	DET	14	7	90	336	3.7	26	5	25	170	6.8	16	0
2011	DET	16	5	80	316	4.0	31	1	26	230	8.8	16	1
		145	38	867	3,648	4.2	64	13	151	1,163	7.7	34	5

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Rushing					Receiving
Year	Team	GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
2003	SEA	1	0	1	4	4.0	4	0	0	0	0.0	0	0
2004	SEA	1	0	2	9	4.5	5	0	0	0	0.0	0	0
2005	SEA	3	0	25	73	2.9	10	0	2	22	11.0	16	0
2006	SEA	2	0	7	23	3.3	7	0	0	0	0.0	0	0
2007	SEA	2	0	7	12	1.7	6	0	0	0	0.0	0	0
2011	DET	1	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0
		10	0	42	121	2.9	10	0	2	22	11.0	16	0

Personal life

Morris is the cousin of New Orleans Saints linebacker D'Marco Jackson.

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References

↑ "2002 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
↑ "Harrington's four TD passes light up Colorado 38-16". cnnsi.com. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
↑ "Lions sign RB Morris". detnews.com.

External links

Maurice Morris Profile at ESPN.com

Media related to Maurice Morris at Wikimedia Commons

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[1] "2002 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.

[2] "Harrington's four TD passes light up Colorado 38-16". cnnsi.com. Retrieved 2010-10-17.

[3] "Lions sign RB Morris". detnews.com.

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