Record-setting wide receiver taking shot at NFL
SLIPPERY ROCK — Two weeks after Slippery Rock University's playoff loss at Notre Dame (Ohio), Henry Litwin figured his football career was over.
Now he's trying to begin another one.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound wide receiver signed a preferred free agent contract with the Chicago Bears shortly after the conclusion of the NFL Draft Saturday night.
"When the season ended, I had health concerns," Litwin admitted. "I just didn't feel right. My body was beat up.
"At the time, I couldn’t see myself going through all of the conditioning and workouts ... If I wasn’t totally committed to it, I didn’t want to put myself and my family through all of that."
But as time went on, Litwin felt better about football physically and mentally.
So he put himself back out there.
"Once he told me he wasn't going to play anymore, I had to tell NFL teams that when they inquired about him," SRU football coach Shawn Lutz said. "That may have hurt his stock a little bit."
But not too much.
Litwin received a call from the New York Jets during the fifth round of the draft, offering him an invitation to mini-camp. He decided to wait.
After the draft, Litwin heard from six other teams — the Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Raiders, Saints and Bears.
"I told my agent all I wanted was an opportunity," Litwin said. "The Bears gave me that. I'm on their 90-man roster, which puts me in their training camp during preseason."
The Bears drafted one receiver — Velus Jones of Tennessee in the third round — over the weekend. He is one of eight receivers currently on their roster, not counting any other undrafted free agent signings.
Most NFL teams keep five or six receivers.
"Those aren't bad odds," Litwin said. "I am going to do everything I can to make the most of this."
Litwin graduated from SRU with a degree in safety management. He carried a 3.6 grade point average as an Academic All-American and was a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, known as the "Academic Heisman."
On the field, he owns Rock records of 221 career receptions, 3,392 receiving yards and 42 touchdown receptions.
A graduate of Conneaut Area High School, Litwin joined the Rock football program as a walk-on before earning a scholarship his sophomore year.
"Just an incredible story," Lutz said. "He was in tears when he called me tonight (Saturday). We were crying together. A small-town guy like him going as far as he has ... We've had a lot of great receivers at Slippery Rock, but Henry is the best one I’ve seen.
"He's not the biggest guy. He's not the fastest. He runs a 4.53 40, so he has some speed. He just comes down with the football.
"As an undrafted free agent, sure, he is a long-shot to make it. But it won't surprise me if he does. It won't surprise me at all," Lutz added.
The coach said Litwin could be effective in the NFL as a slot receiver and can contribute on special teams. He played on special teams at The Rock.
Litwin has been working out at Tim Cortazzo's football facility in Pittsburgh, running routes with Shady Side Academy graduate Skyy Moore, a Western Michigan receiver drafted in the second round by Kansas City.
"We learned from each other. That was a great experience," Litwin said. "All my life, I’ve dreamed of playing in the NFL. Now I'm going to find out if I'm good enough."
