Sports

Douglasville player goes from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl LV in rookie year

By Alison Mastrangelo, WSB-TV

Cam Gill Chapel Hill Tampa Bay Tampa Bay linebacker and metro Atlanta native Cam Gill spoke with Channel 2 on what it means to make a Super Bowl roster in his rookie year.

By Alison Mastrangelo, WSB-TV

TAMPA — Cam Gill always believed he had the talent to play in the NFL. The Douglasville native just never imagined that in his rookie season he’d have a chance to compete in Super Bowl LV.

“This is something guys worked for their entire careers just to reach this accomplishment. So early in my career, I’m definitely blessed for sure,” Gill told Channel 2′s Alison Mastrangelo.

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Gill played four years at Chapel Hill High School. In his junior season, head coach Justin DeShon decided to move Gill from offense to defense.

It’s a move the Buccaneers linebacker will always be grateful for.

“High school was the most fun,” Gill said. “Credit Coach DeShon pushed me to be the player I am today.”

After high school, Gill only had three scholarship offers and only one was from a Division I program, Wagner College.

He went on to play 45 games for the Seahawks and earned multiple FCS All-American honors. From there, he signed as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay.

“Training camp was my tryout. Training camp was all I had. I made a point of emphasis doing everything right on the field and off,” Gill said.

SUPER BOWL COVERAGE

With no preseason games due to the pandemic this year, he used every practice to show case his talent and was able to land a roster spot on special teams. Gill even made an impression on quarterback Tom Brady.

“I kind of got tangled up with him at practice one time, just wanted to go and apologize to him. It’s practice. You don’t touch the quarterback. It’s Tom Brady. I made a point to go apologize in the locker room. It was cool he told me he admired my game, and to keep playing hard,” Gill said.

Mastrangelo asked Gill what it would mean to earn a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season.

“That would mean everything. Like I said, there are guys that spend their entire career trying to get a ring. For me to do it in my rookie year, that would special for me,” he said.

“I just want my journey to show for other guys it can be possible. If I can do it, you can too.”

His parents are beyond proud of the player and person he has become.

They have attended almost every football game from high school to college. Now his dad and brother will make the trip down to Tampa to watch him in the biggest game of his career.

His mom will not travel due to COVID-19 concerns but she said she will have a full Super Bowl spread and be cheering her son on from home.

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