Stanley Morgan to Sign Autographs in Easley

It's not everyday that you would see a former NFL Football player in a small town like Easley, but on Thursday afternoon the town will get a special visit from former New England Patriots player Stanley Morgan.

Morgan was born on Feb. 17, 1955 and raised right here in Easley. He played football for the Easley Green Wave at Brice Field, before going to play for the University of Tennessee and professionally for the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.

Mayor Larry Bagwell had the opportunity to see Stanley Morgan develop into the athlete, who would later be inducted into the University of Tennessee Hall of Fame and the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

"He had a lot of natural ability, I've never seen anyone as fast as he was," Bagwell said. "He made a very good coach out of me for about 2-3 years."

Bagwell recalled a quiet, hard-working, and humble athlete who very quickly surprised him as head football coach for Easley High School.

"I would surely like to see him be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Bagwell said.

"You hear people say this a lot, but he really didn't forget where he came from," said Councilman Chris Mann. Mann said he was just three years old when Morgan played high school football in Easley, but followed his professional career closely.

Morgan was selected in the first round of the 1977 draft to play for the New England Patriots. Morgan also played one season for the Indianapolis Colts in 1990.

"For most boys growing up here in the 70's and 80's he was a sports hero," Mann said.

Morgan will be visiting Lu Bagwell Interiors from 2-5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 to sign autographs and meet his fans here in Easley.