As an NFL rookie, Frank Herron Jr. accomplished what many players spend years attempting to win: a Super Bowl ring.
Listed at 6’4”, the 312-pound defensive end was released by the New England Patriots at the conclusion of the 2018 training camp. He subsequently signed with the Seattle Seahawks, but was waived shortly thereafter.
But the Patriots would call again in early October, and Herron spent the remainder of the 2018/2019 NFL season on The Patriots practice squad. When the Pats beat the L.A. Rams in February, Herron earned himself a ring.
“My first year in the league, I won a Super Bowl ring!” herron exclaimed. “That feeling is unreal!”
Frank Herron Jr. grew up in Memphis playing football since the 5th grade.
“Friends and other people motivated me to try the sport out,” said Herron. “I looked at it as a possible way to get me and my family a better way of life.”
Herron played high school football at Memphis Central High School, under now-retired Coach Lynord Crutchfield and Defensive Coordinator Bryan Williams.
“Central really helped prepare me for LSU because of the staff, the coaches – they really took a chance on me,” Herron said.
In 2013, took his talents to Baton Rouge, playing for Louisiana State University, where he saw action during all four seasons with the Tigers on the team’s stacked defensive line.
“I felt love from the campus and coaching staff,” Herron said. “Playing in front of 100,000 fans, that’s a feeling I can’t really explain. Plus, the millions of people watching at home. When you make a play, everybody knows who you are, at that moment.”
Herron made 67 tackles, two sacks, forced three fumbles and a fumble recovery in his four-year career at LSU.
The standout athlete continuously worked out and was invited to play in the NFL Players Association Bowl after his senior season. He went undrafted in 2018, but his hard work landed him with the Patriots, as an undrafted free agent.
“My process getting into the league was different because I was undrafted. I was cut (repeatedly) before I was signed,” Herron said. “I went to New England’s training camp and was cut, then signed to Seattle for about two weeks, and got cut again. But I was gratefully brought back to New England.”
And when horn sounded on the Patriots 13-3 Super Bowl LIII victory, Herron became a Super Bowl champion.
“I felt like I was on the highest pedestal, because everybody knows what The Super Bowl is, even if you only watch for the halftime performance.”
“The whole experience was a dream come true. I had rappers like Meek Mill, Ludacris and Gucci Mane coming up to me – congratulating me and wanting to shake my hand.”
Herron is looked up to by young players in the city that he calls home. Herron said he enjoys speaking to young players in Memphis.
“I studied education, because I have a passion to teach and coach,” he said. “I plan to bring more football camps to the city and provide avenues for young players to play the sport, throughout my career.”
“I would just tell any young football player in the city of Memphis that you can make it to the next level,” Herron said. “Don’t listen to the naysayers! Keep pushing, God gave YOU the dream.”
And the dream will continue for Herron. Although New England waived him in early May, the Tennessee Titans added him to the roster just hours before this story was printed (May 29).
Titan up, Frank!
(To keep up with Frank Herron Jr. follow his instagram @FrankHerronJr9 .)
