Four Former Rockland County Natives Who Made a Name For Themselves in Football

Rockland County is the smallest county by area in New York outside New York City, but that has not stopped it from producing some fantastic athletes. Rockland County natives love sports and always become excited when one of their own makes it into one of the big leagues. Several players who call the various parts of Rockland County home have gone on to forge professional sports careers, including the heroes you are about to read about; all four etched their names into football’s history books.

Jason McCourty

Jason McCourty was born in Nyack, New York, in August 1987. McCourty left Nyack in 2005 to attend Rutgers University, where he developed his skills as a cornerback. The then-youngster started three seasons for the Rutgers Scarlett Knights football team, ending his career with 148 tackles, two interceptions, and 20 pass breakups.

McCourty was not highly sought after coming out of college but entered the 2009 NFL Draft anyway. The Tennessee Titans selected him as the 203rd overall pick, offering McCourty a four-year, $1.84 million contract. Although sports betting Las Vegas punters did not often fancy the Titans to achieve glory, they gave McCourty his chance to shine in the NFL.

By 2011, McCourty was the first-choice cornerback for the Titans and was ever-present until a groin injury sidelined him in 2015. After eight years with the Titans, he left for the Cleveland Browns, spending one year with the Browns before signing for the New England Patriots. McCourty won the Super Bowl during the first of his three seasons with the Patriots before the final transfer of his NFL career saw him play for the Miami Dolphins in 2021. After appearing in seven games and starting in four, McCourty called time on his playing career.

Devin McCourty

Devin McCourty is the twin brother of Jason McCourty mentioned above. He played college football for Rutgers Scarlett Knights, mainly as a cornerback alongside his brother. Unlike his brother, Devin McCourty was a hot prospect coming out of college, and the New England Patriots selected him as the 27th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

McCourty immediately became a starter for the Patriots, first as a cornerback but then switching to safety. During his 13-year Patriots career, McCourty played and started 205 games, recorded 740 solo tackles, 231 assisted tackles, 35 interceptions, two touchdowns, and 110 pass defensed. In addition to those impressive statistics, McCourty won the Super Bowl in 2014, 2016, and again in 2018. He hung up his helmet at the end of the 2022 campaign.

Seth Joyner

Seth Joyner was born in November 1964 in Spring Valley, New York. Joyner graduated from Spring Valley High School and played college football for the UTEP Miners. Joyner, a linebacker, was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles as the 208th overall pick of the 1986 NFL Draft. However, the Eagles cut Joyner in the training camp but re-signed him later in the season. Joyner made the most of his second chance.

Joyner stayed with the Eagles from 1986 to 1993 and was selected for Pro Bowl duty twice during that time. The 6ft 2in, 245lb star famously played a Monday Night Football game against the Houston Oilers in 1991 despite nursing a 102-degree fever. Joyner recorded two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and eight solo tackles while ill, showing his dogged determination and dedication to his teammates.

From 1994-1996, Joyner played for the Arizona Cardinals before heading to the Green Bay Packers in 1997. He reached the Super Bowl with the Packers but returned home on the losing side, with the Packers losing to the Denver Broncos. Joyner joined the Broncos the following year, reached the Super Bowl again, and became a Super Bowl champion in his final professional game.

Joyner ended his career with 52 sacks, 24 interceptions, 26 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, and five defensive touchdowns.

Phil Bogle

Phil Bogle was born in September 1979 in Spring Valley, New York. Bogle’s footballing ability showed at an early age while playing for the Spring Valley High School football team. He received All-State, All-Section, and All-League selections.

Bogle attended the University of New Haven from 1999-2002, where he started every game as an offensive tackle. More awards followed, with Bogle becoming a First-team Division II All-Independent selection as a senior, in addition to winning the Jim Langer Award.

Surprisingly, Bogle went undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft, although the San Diego Chargers signed him as an undrafted free agent. Although Bogle started 13 of the 16 games he played during his rookie season in 2003, a knee injury kept him out of the entire 2004 campaign. Recurring knee injuries limited Bogle’s playing time with the Chargers and later with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bogle left the NFL and began playing in the Arena Football League, turning out for the Philadelphia Soul, Montreal Alouettes, Dallas Vigilantes, and Florida Tuskers. He served as head coach of Philadelphia Soul from 2013-19, starting his coaching role three years after retiring from playing. In June 2018, Bogle became the Director of Game Operations for the NFL.

Conclusion

The four men discussed in this article prove that anyone can make it in the world of professional sports regardless of where they call home. This quartet of stars dreamed of making it in the NFL despite being from the small county of Rockland County. Each spent countless hours honing their craft, and their hard work ultimately paid off.

The McCourty brothers went on to win four Super Bowls between them, while Seth Joyner also got his hands on a coveted championship ring. Then, there is Phil Bogle, whose NFL career was short thanks to injuries but whose achievements as a youngster earned him a place in the Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame.

Dream big, work hard, and anything is possible.