Coach Cecil Shorts’ story started at Collinwood High School as a four-sport athlete: football, baseball, basketball and track. Then, he joined a Division Three school that paved the way to becoming a pro at the NFL. He described his experience there as “everything you ever dreamed about or thought about times a hundred. It’s amazing.” Now, after a successful journey despite adversity, he’s coaching the varsity defensive line at Lamar High School. Injuries, team transfers, and almost losing his leg has not stopped him at all.  

All three professional football teams Shorts played for impacted him in different yet special ways. He was in Jacksonville for four years, a team that brought him “tons of memories” and shaped him into the man he is today. Though the stop at Tampa Bay was short with a single season, the kindness of those around him was memorable, as he reminisced the “really good people there.” Shorts mentioned how each team held its own share of value in his life and career. Playing for the Texans gave him opportunities that he will forever be grateful for. “I loved everything about Houston and the first time making the playoffs,” Shorts said. “After the season, they helped me transition into what I do now, therefore Houston has a special place in my heart.”

However, his life had a different plan for him.  

“It was Dec 4, 2017,” said Shorts. “I tore my ACL, MCL, PCL, all that good stuff. I had seven surgeries and was two cm away from my leg amputating.” This unfortunate event had an unexpected side effect. “Going through that process, I went into a deep depression. You get accustomed to a certain lifestyle, certain fame — it’s addictive,” recalled Shorts.” “So, thinking you’re going to lose all of that, it does something to you. I felt like the Texans got me through it. They were there for me without knowing it.”

After his, he entered the education system working as an administrator at Second Baptist before he started coaching middle and high school football. Although he is no longer playing football, it doesn’t mean that the book is completely closed as a new chapter awaits. From the field to the sideline, the love of football stays the same as Shorts states how, “The passion doesn’t change, it is the way I let it out that changes.”

Going from a private school to a 6A public school made Shorts have a goal to become a head coach. The defensive end of the ball is where he coaches and mentors with the intent of building strong coach and player relationships. “I want you to be able to call me at any point in your life and I’m there for you,” said Shorts. He shows up on the field, and the classroom is ready to build kids from the ground up. His reason is simple “I love it. I love kids. I love what the game can teach you — from work ethics and discipline, to handling adversity and success. Sports in general just teach you so much,” said Shorts.

Shorts sees himself in every boy he coaches. “I see a lot of hunger, potential and kids who want to be coached,” said Shorts. “The same way I approach the field is about the same way I do in the classroom: hold them accountable, holding expectations and getting to know them as a person.” 

From the beginning of the season, what seemed like an unpromising start, Shorts saw it as preparation for what was ahead for the team as they climbed up to the second round of the playoffs. “I think the season went well, I do think the beginning of the year was tough, but it was tough on purpose.” I love how we were tested early on, but we still have a lot to work on.” “It only gets tougher from here”, stated Shorts. “I view the opportunity I have to teach kids the same way I do on the field.”  

Despite Shorts’ remarkable record of playing professional football, that is not what he is proud of. “The legacy I want to leave is that; he is a genuine person, he cared, he was honest and he was fun.”