Cody Heaton quit football in the seventh grade.
For one week.
“I realized I missed it. Being with all my friends made me want to go back. It’s paid dividends,” said Heaton, co-captain of the 2014 Morristown High School football varsity.
One of those dividends is a $1,000 scholarship from the Greater Morris Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Thirty-eight high school players were recognized by the chapter, but only four received scholarships. The award honors athleticism, academics and community service, said Dan Hajjar, a chapter trustee.
Heaton, who plans to study biomedical engineering at Penn State University this fall, had no problems satisfying the chapter’s academic- and community service requirements.
He’s an A student who mentored MHS freshmen during his senior year. He also volunteers six days a week at Morristown Medical Center, and will serve as a summer camp counselor at the Morristown-Beard School.
But equally impressive was what he accomplished on the gridiron without benefit of brawn. The 5-foot-10 wide receiver / cornerback tipped the scales at just 140 pounds.
“I was flying under the radar, going all out,” Heaton said on Thursday, after receiving his scholarship check at the high school.
“People underestimate you. I’m a pretty fast hit. They didn’t see it coming. I’ve got good hands, I’m pretty quick on my feet, I can jump pretty high.”
The greatest rewards, Heaton said, were the friendships he forged through football — “and knowing I’ve helped younger players, showing them the ropes, being a big brother.”
Morristown High Football Coach Chris Hull called Heaton a “special person” who he will miss greatly.
Heaton admitted feeling wistful watching his kid brother Michael, a freshman, at spring football practice.
But he won’t push his luck. Although he “could take a hit pretty well,” in college he intends to use his athletic gifts for ultimate frisbee.
Heaton’s advice for other slightly built kids hankering to play football:
“Every four hours, eat! And hit the weight room.”
And as for his decision, back in the seventh grade?
“I’m very happy I stuck with it,” Heaton said.
