Class Act for a Football Player

Rookie wide receiver Ernie Wheelwright is an athlete of many talents.

One is football, as evidenced by his record-breaking career at the University of Minnesota. But football wasn’t always Wheelwright’s preferred sport, and perhaps not even his favorite pastime.

Off the field, Wheelwright performed on another stage. If football was the protagonist in his life, acting would be its understudy.

“I took a couple of [acting] courses in college,” said Wheelwright. “I was really involved in the class, and the teacher liked me.”

It isn’t surprising that he excelled given his family’s track record in the performing arts. Wheelwright’s grandfather, Ernie Wheelwright, Jr., acted in films such as the original “The Longest Yard” and “The Greatest,” and TV show episodes like “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times.”

Interestingly enough, his grandfather also played in the NFL from 1964 to 1970 as a running back for the New York Giants (1964-65), Atlanta Falcons (1966-67) and New Orleans Saints (1967-70).

Sports, acting and their preference for Burt Reynolds as a jailed football player (rather than Adam Sandler) are not the only traditions shared by the men in Wheelwright’s family, however. For four generations, the name “Ernest Wheelwright” has stood strong.

“There are not many fours,” commented Wheelwright. “Usually the line is drawn at threes. Hopefully I’ll have a son and he’ll be the fifth. I’ll keep the tradition going. I told my dad I wouldn’t break the chain.”

Wheelwright, encouraged by the example of his grandfather, hopes to someday pursue acting as a career. But it was his father who directly influenced his decision to put football first for now.

Sought after for both basketball and football while in high school, the multi-sport talent faced a quandary when deciding which sport to pursue at the collegiate level.

“My dad said, ‘Let the colleges choose what you’re going to do,’” said Wheelwright, 6-foot-5, 215 pounds. “I got letters for basketball, but I had more letters in football. So I felt like football was the thing I should continue.”

Good choice.

Wheelwright ended his career as No. 3 in Gophers history in career receptions (159) and career receiving yards (2,434), and No. 2 in career receiving touchdowns (26). He also tied for third in 100-yard receiving games (6) and consecutive games with a receiving touchdown – seven straight from Nov. 4, 2006 to Sept. 15, 2007.

Happy for a chance to compete after watching seven rounds of the draft pass him by, Wheelwright knows that none of his previous accomplishments matter now.

“It’s a fresh start, a whole new start, a fresh system,” said Wheelwright of his transition to professional football. “The NFL is a whole other level. College is over and done with, it’s in the past. I mean, I have good memories, but I’m trying to make my memories now in the NFL.”

As the tallest receiver on the Ravens’ roster, Wheelwright is already turning heads for his potential in the end zone

“Ernie’s a big-bodied guy,” said Ravens wide receivers coach Jim Hostler. “He’s a big-bodied type. He plays big, he’s physical, he’s obviously strong, and his size allows him to do that.”

Wheelwright’s attitude and work ethic on and off the field are also attracting positive feedback from the coaches.

“He’s done an excellent job for a guy who’s a free agent,” added Hostler. “He’s gotten just as many reps as anybody else, and that says a lot about his mental development – it has been excellent. The physical development has been going about the same way too.”

With his ambition, stature and drive, Wheelwright looks set to live his dream out on the football field – or maybe even on the silver screen.