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Four local players are keeping family football traditions alive
Dan McCarney
From the son of a Super Bowl champion to the younger brother of a Dallas Cowboys success story, family ties are stronger than ever in San Antonio area high school football. Here's a look at four players who are keeping their family football traditions alive:
V.J. McElroy
Vann McElroy thought he had reached the pinnacle of football when he helped the Oakland Raiders win Super Bowl XVIII, then flew first-class to Hawaii for the 1984 Pro Bowl.
That is, until he watched his oldest son V.J. (Vann Junior) play quarterback for Uvalde, an experience that changed his perspective.
"To see your son go out and have success," McElroy said, "there's nothing better than that. I get so nervous for his games, a lot more nervous than when I was playing. I'm glad I don't drink or smoke or I'd be a wreck by game time."
Just as he has done at Uvalde, V.J. is slated to follow in his father's footsteps at Baylor. V.J. committed to the Bears as a defensive back this summer. Though expectations will be high for the son of a Bears legend, V.J. said he's ready for the challenge.
"I have my own shoes to fill," he said, "so I can't be too worried about being Vann McElroy's son."
Not that he doesn't enjoy the perks. While he was too young to remember Vann's playing career — McElroy, now a player agent, retired from the NFL in 1992 — V.J. revels in meetings with such old teammates at Mike Singletary and Howie Long.
Just as he does at V.J.'s games, Vann loves to sit back and observe.
"It's fun to watch him soak everything up," he said. "I think he's starting to realize his old man was all right."
Andrew Green
By the time the youngest Green graduates in 2011, Madison coach Jim Streety plans to treat the entire clan to a nice dinner.
"I think I probably need to do it sooner than that," Streety said. "They've been a pretty steady force here at Madison."
The latest Green is sophomore safety Drew. He comes on the heels of two Express-News All-Area running backs — cousin Gary, a sophomore at Kansas, and older brother Tony, a freshman at Alabama A&M. All they did was combine for more than 7,500 rushing yards.
Contrary to the first two Greens, both of whom loved having the football in their hands, Drew prefers delivering blows instead.
"He's not as flamboyant," said father Tony, who starred at safety for Baylor in the 1970s. "He covers a lot of ground, and he loves to hit."
Not that Drew is scared of the limelight, however. He has interceptions in each of Madison's first two games, making some observers wonder if he might just be the best Green yet.
"He's going to get plenty of recognition, I can promise you that," Streety said.
Drew better get it while he can. Little brother Aaron, an AAU national-champion hurdler, is scheduled to arrive at Madison next fall.
Travis Constanzo
Labeled a can't-miss recruit coming out of Churchill in the mid-1970s, quarterback Ted Constanzo was expected to be the second coming of James Street at Texas.
Instead, he finished a relatively undistinguished college career at possibly the most anonymous position in football — punter.
Not that you'd know it from talking to Ted's son Travis, a senior defensive back and kicking specialist at Smithson Valley.
"I just think it's so cool that my dad played for the Longhorns," said Constanzo, who used to wear his father's old jersey and letter jacket to school. "I really envy him."
Despite the disappointment, Ted views his UT stint as a positive.
It afforded him the opportunity to play with and against some of the game's biggest names, including Earl Campbell and Joe Montana. Three decades later, it also allows father and son to bond over their shared love of the Longhorns.
"Texas," Ted said, "is still very much a part of our lives."
Sammal Hurd
Having a professional football player in the family has its perks.
But as Brackenridge senior receiver Sammal Hurd has learned, being first-year Cowboys receiver Sam Hurd's younger brother also has a downside.
Classmates badger him for Sam's autographs. Fans expect him to play just as well — almost an impossibility considering Sam caught 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2001, one of the highest totals in state history.
Then there's the never-ending question: How's Sam doing?
"I must hear that 1,000 times a day," Sammal said. "It gets annoying sometimes. But at the same time, you gotta put on your smiley face. Everyone's pretty proud."
Indeed. Brackenridge coach Willie Hall said Hurd's success was all anyone could talk about at a recent open house.
"People are treating it like a newborn baby," he said. "It's been great for the community."
Sammal isn't sure if he'll be able to join the family caravan headed to Sunday's game against Washington — he'll be taking the ACT. If he's not there, he'll be there in spirit.
"He knew what he wanted and he went for it," he said. "Seeing him out there, doing his thing ... you can't knock that."
Dan McCarney
From the son of a Super Bowl champion to the younger brother of a Dallas Cowboys success story, family ties are stronger than ever in San Antonio area high school football. Here's a look at four players who are keeping their family football traditions alive:
V.J. McElroy
Vann McElroy thought he had reached the pinnacle of football when he helped the Oakland Raiders win Super Bowl XVIII, then flew first-class to Hawaii for the 1984 Pro Bowl.
That is, until he watched his oldest son V.J. (Vann Junior) play quarterback for Uvalde, an experience that changed his perspective.
"To see your son go out and have success," McElroy said, "there's nothing better than that. I get so nervous for his games, a lot more nervous than when I was playing. I'm glad I don't drink or smoke or I'd be a wreck by game time."
Just as he has done at Uvalde, V.J. is slated to follow in his father's footsteps at Baylor. V.J. committed to the Bears as a defensive back this summer. Though expectations will be high for the son of a Bears legend, V.J. said he's ready for the challenge.
"I have my own shoes to fill," he said, "so I can't be too worried about being Vann McElroy's son."
Not that he doesn't enjoy the perks. While he was too young to remember Vann's playing career — McElroy, now a player agent, retired from the NFL in 1992 — V.J. revels in meetings with such old teammates at Mike Singletary and Howie Long.
Just as he does at V.J.'s games, Vann loves to sit back and observe.
"It's fun to watch him soak everything up," he said. "I think he's starting to realize his old man was all right."
Andrew Green
By the time the youngest Green graduates in 2011, Madison coach Jim Streety plans to treat the entire clan to a nice dinner.
"I think I probably need to do it sooner than that," Streety said. "They've been a pretty steady force here at Madison."
The latest Green is sophomore safety Drew. He comes on the heels of two Express-News All-Area running backs — cousin Gary, a sophomore at Kansas, and older brother Tony, a freshman at Alabama A&M. All they did was combine for more than 7,500 rushing yards.
Contrary to the first two Greens, both of whom loved having the football in their hands, Drew prefers delivering blows instead.
"He's not as flamboyant," said father Tony, who starred at safety for Baylor in the 1970s. "He covers a lot of ground, and he loves to hit."
Not that Drew is scared of the limelight, however. He has interceptions in each of Madison's first two games, making some observers wonder if he might just be the best Green yet.
"He's going to get plenty of recognition, I can promise you that," Streety said.
Drew better get it while he can. Little brother Aaron, an AAU national-champion hurdler, is scheduled to arrive at Madison next fall.
Travis Constanzo
Labeled a can't-miss recruit coming out of Churchill in the mid-1970s, quarterback Ted Constanzo was expected to be the second coming of James Street at Texas.
Instead, he finished a relatively undistinguished college career at possibly the most anonymous position in football — punter.
Not that you'd know it from talking to Ted's son Travis, a senior defensive back and kicking specialist at Smithson Valley.
"I just think it's so cool that my dad played for the Longhorns," said Constanzo, who used to wear his father's old jersey and letter jacket to school. "I really envy him."
Despite the disappointment, Ted views his UT stint as a positive.
It afforded him the opportunity to play with and against some of the game's biggest names, including Earl Campbell and Joe Montana. Three decades later, it also allows father and son to bond over their shared love of the Longhorns.
"Texas," Ted said, "is still very much a part of our lives."
Sammal Hurd
Having a professional football player in the family has its perks.
But as Brackenridge senior receiver Sammal Hurd has learned, being first-year Cowboys receiver Sam Hurd's younger brother also has a downside.
Classmates badger him for Sam's autographs. Fans expect him to play just as well — almost an impossibility considering Sam caught 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2001, one of the highest totals in state history.
Then there's the never-ending question: How's Sam doing?
"I must hear that 1,000 times a day," Sammal said. "It gets annoying sometimes. But at the same time, you gotta put on your smiley face. Everyone's pretty proud."
Indeed. Brackenridge coach Willie Hall said Hurd's success was all anyone could talk about at a recent open house.
"People are treating it like a newborn baby," he said. "It's been great for the community."
Sammal isn't sure if he'll be able to join the family caravan headed to Sunday's game against Washington — he'll be taking the ACT. If he's not there, he'll be there in spirit.
"He knew what he wanted and he went for it," he said. "Seeing him out there, doing his thing ... you can't knock that."
