Funk Excited for Return to M&T Bank Stadium, Site of His Historic 7 Touchdown Game
Fans, members of the media and coaches get excited each year for the NFL schedule release. So do players.
Jake Funk, the Los Angeles Rams rookie running back by way of Damascus High School and the University of Maryland, knew that his new team would be playing in Baltimore this year but he didn’t know the date until schedules were announced Thursday night.
The Rams will play the Baltimore Ravens in their second to last game of the year on Jan. 2. 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium. In addition to being 40 miles from Funk’s high school alma mater, it was the site of two state title games for Damascus during his junior and senior years. The last one, in 2015, Funk led the Swarmin’ Hornets to a 55-14 win over Dundalk scoring a Maryland state title game record seven touchdowns.
‘It Still Doesn’t Feel Real’: Funk Describes Life-Changing Draft Day Phone Call
Jake Funk knows all about patience. During his first four years at the University of Maryland, he played behind four running backs who ended up in the NFL and had to overcome two ACL surgeries. When he finally got his opportunity during his senior year, Funk had a breakout season.
And last Saturday on the third and final day of the NFL Draft, Funk waited and waited until his name was called. The former Damascus star waited until the 7th and final round.
After 222 picks had been made, the phone finally rang. Los Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead was on the line informing Funk that he was being drafted by the Rams. What happened over the next few moments was the stuff of dreams. Lots of cheers, yells, hugs and disbelief.
The Gaithersburg native had a breakout year in 2021, leading the Big Ten Conference in yards per carry (8.6) and ranked second in rushing yards per game (129.0). Funk had spent his previous years at Maryland backing up four running backs who ended up in the NFL and battling back from two ACL surgeries.
During Maryland’s Pro Day on March 10, the 5’10”, 205 pounder impressed with numbers considered very good for a running back: he ran a 4.43 in the 40 yard dash, bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times, had a broad jump of 122 inches (10 feet, 2 inches) and a vertical leap of 38 inches (3 feet, 2 inches).
With the Rams, Funk is expected to battle for a back-up role as a running back and special teams player.
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It was McCarthy’s first career hole-in-one on the PGA Tour. He told the Tour, “It was a perfect 8-iron for me and just stepped up there and executed the shot.” McCarthy added, “Got a little lucky to go in.”
McCarthy was in contention the first two days – at one point trailing leader Sergio Garcia by just one stroke. Back-to-back rounds of 69 Thursday and Friday put him in good position to contend for the prestigious title but two rounds of 75 on the weekend dropped the University of Virginia graduate into a tie for 55th place.
McCarthy is scheduled to play this week at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.