CHAPELHILL — You can’t blame Jeff Kerr if his transition to full-time UNC Tar Heel has been a slow process.
It’s been one day at a time. One piece of apparel at a time.
Traditionally, East Carolina University grads don’t hold the Tar Heels in high esteem. And make no mistake, Kerr is ECU through and through. Kerr, who graduated from South Rowan in 1995, was a three-time all-conference linebacker for the Pirates, so his blood still holds a purple tint.
Kerr was good enough that he got a shot at the NFL last summer. Signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns, he played in all four exhibition games, but was axed prior to Opening Day. Then came a call from the San Francisco 49ers. His bags were packed, and he was ready to fly west when fate took charge. A 49er D-lineman got hurt and Kerr’s spot went to a replacement lineman.
Kerr’s next option was the XFL. He was a Memphis Maniac until he suffered a concussion. That’s when doctors told him to take a year off from football. For Kerr, that was like being told to take a year off from life.
But Kerr’s getting through his down-time. And this is where those once-hated Tar Heels come in.
When ECU’s director of strength and conditioning, Jeff Connors, was hired by new UNC coach John Bunting, the first person Connors thought about was Kerr. So shortly after his XFL odyssey, Kerr headed to Chapel Hill to become one of Connor’s five strength and conditioning assistants.
“It was hard to be a Tar Heel,” says Kerr. “Then the day came when I was able to put on a pair of those blue shorts. Then, another week went by and I could put on a UNC T-shirt. Now they’re trying to get me in a UNC cap.”
Kerr hasn’t plopped a blue cap on his head yet. But he’s getting closer.
Saturday was his best Tar Heel day so far. It may have been the first day he’s truly felt at home in Chapel Hill.
The 245-pound muscleman glowed as he saw delirious UNC students assault the goalposts after the upset of Florida State. And he grinned as the players he works with 60 to 70 hours a week walked up to him and hugged him and thanked him for pushing them to the limit.
“Enjoy this!” he yelled at each of them. “This is what college football is all about! This is why you’ve worked so hard!”
As he watched, memories flooded back to Kerr. Memories of purple power.
“I’ve seen the goalposts come down a couple of times,” he said. “Been there. Last time was when we beat Miami right after Hurricane Floyd. Man, that was emotional. These guys have been through similar adversity. They’ve been busting their tails every week with nothing at all to show.
“Can you imagine how bad these guys have felt? Not now. We told them hard work pays off and now they can see it does.”
Kerr doesn’t want to coach forever. He’s just 24 and in the best shape of his life from long days of working out his troops, then running with former North Rowan and ECU track star Marcus Gladden.
“Just need an opportunity in a camp next fall,” he says. “Anyone needs a hard-nosed linebacker, tell ’em to give me a call. I can still play football.”
But Kerr’s pro dream can wait just a bit. Especially when there are magical coaching days like Saturday.
“I’m just real proud of the guys right now,” he says, still staring misty-eyed at the goalpost gang. “At this moment, I gotta tell you, I’m proud to be a Tar Heel.”
And if you would have cut Kerr last night, he might even have bled a little light blue.
The real litmus test, though, comes on Oct. 6. That’s when Kerr has to choose: purple or blue. That’s the day ECU comes to Kenan Stadium.
“I don’t think I’m gonna be on the sidelines for that one,” he laughs. “Maybe you’ll find me up in the crowd somewhere.”
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Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com
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