Baltimore, Md -- Ayron Monroe, a standout defensive back for the St. John’s College High School football team, was officially recognized for his selection to the Marine Corps’ Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl during a presentation ceremony Dec. 17.
Monroe received his SFAAB jersey in a reception room on SJCHS’s campus while surrounded by his family, coaches, and teammates. Sgt. Bryan Nygaard, the marketing and public affairs representative for Marine Corps Recruiting Station Baltimore, conducted the presentation.
The Semper Fidelis Bowl is an annual football game hosted by the Marine Corps. It involves approximately 90 high school student athletes that are chosen based on their athletic and scholastic achievements as well as their own personal character. Based on geographic region, players represent East Coast and West Coast teams and compete against each other in the bowl, which will be held in Carson, California, Jan. 4, 2015.
Monroe, who stands at six feet, 195 pounds, is ranked as the No. 55 defensive back in the nation by Rivals.com and is the 6th best overall prospect in Washington D.C. He has a 3.0GPA, volunteers at his grandmother’s retirement home in Largo, Maryland, and is actively involved in his church’s youth group. Monroe is currently committed to playing college football for Penn State University.
Monroe was excited when he learned he had been selected to play in the SFAAB.
“I didn’t really know much about the game at first, but as soon as I got invited, I started looking into it more and I realized this is a great game to play in,” said Monroe. “Everybody wants to be an All-American. This is a dream come true.”
Monroe’s older brother, Andre Monroe, Jr., also attended St. John’s College High School and is currently a senior defensive lineman at the University of Maryland. He says he is proud of his younger brother being able to play in an All-American bowl.
“I didn’t have the same opportunity when I was younger,” said Monroe, Jr. “It’s good to see someone that I know and love grow and be able to do something that I wasn’t able to do.”
Joe Patterson, the head coach for the St. John’s College High School football team, has coached five All-Americans and 63 players who have gone on to play Division I-A or Division I-AA football. Patterson feels that Monroe is a perfect fit for the SFAAB.
“He truly sees football as a game to be enjoyed, which I think is very important,” said Patterson. “He works hard, he’s very gifted, but at the same time, he has a tremendous humility to him, which allows him to be a great teammate.
“I’m very excited any time a player receives an honor such as this. I’m very confident that he will be a great ambassador for our program.”