Skip to main content

WR Marshall grateful to Bears for saving career

By WTOP Staff

GENE CHAMBERLAIN
Associated Press

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Armed with a new contract, wide receiver Brandon Marshall expects nothing less of himself than what he’s given the Chicago Bears over the past two seasons. On and off the field.

In an emotional news conference to officially announce his three-year, $30 million contract extension Thursday at Halas Hall, Marshall thanked everyone from his wife and agent to the Bears’ grounds crew and marketing department. He made it clear he credits his success and some of his turnaround from a troubled past to being part of the Bears organization.

“Well, the transformation started in my life before I was traded here, but I think it was career saving,” Marshall said of the trade by Bears general manager Phil Emery of two third-round draft choices to Miami to reunite Marshall with his friend, quarterback Jay Cutler. “I don’t think I’d be sitting in this position talking about an extension.

“I probably wouldn’t even be having the success that I was having on the field in that environment (in Miami). It wasn’t right for me.”

The nine-year veteran has gone over 1,000 yards receiving seven straight years, and in his two Bears seasons had career highs of 11 and then 12 touchdown catches.

Despite Marshall’s production, the borderline personality disorder that led to a sometimes violent past had scared off many NFL executives, except Emery. He initiated the trade to unite Marshall and Cutler in 2012.

“That was bold,” Marshall said of Emery. “I don’t think there was any other teams that would have pulled that one off. But I really appreciate you.”

The contract extension makes Marshall a Bear through 2017. Marshall had one year left on his deal, but actually sought an extension in 2013. Negotiating an extension two years away from expiration of an existing one has been against Emery’s policy.

But the GM had no problem with making Marshall the 34th Bears player to sign a contract since the final week of 2013.

Emery said it was a part of his plan all along.

“When it was time, it was time,” Emery said. “This is a great player, and he’s been a great teammate. There’s never a bad time to sign a great player and a great teammate.”

Marshall actually announced the deal himself on the television program, “The View,” earlier in the week, while appearing as an activist for borderline personality disorder awareness.

Wearing a navy blue suit with an orange pocket handkerchief Thursday — Bears colors — Marshall used that handkerchief to wipe away tears after recalling how agent Kennard McGuire impacted his life while with the Denver Broncos, and how his wife, Michi Nogami-Marshall, helped him to treat his borderline personality disorder.

“You’re my lifeline,” he told his wife at the news conference. “You were my inspiration to get the help that I needed, and I thank you.”

Playing with Cutler in Marc Trestman’s offense, Marshall was part of the league’s fifth-ranked passing offense, a major turnaround for a team that struggled throwing the ball since the mid-1990s.

Marshall sees similar production coming in 2014, although the receiving cast has changed. Veteran Earl Bennett is gone, while second-year receiver Marquess Wilson is expected to step forward and team with Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

“What we did last year was really tough,” Marshall said. “You bring in a new coach with a really sophisticated offense, like we like to say, it’s science to our football.

“You got Jay, he’s been in different offenses almost every other year. It’s a tough transition. So for us to make that big of a leap last year says a lot about our coaching staff and our players. So this year I think that that’s something to build off and we can possibly even be better.”

Marshall said he tells Cutler every year will be his breakout year despite having made the Pro Bowl five times. So he expects next season to be the next breakout.

“Jerry Rice had his breakout year in Year 11,” he said. “So, I am in nine, so I think I can do it.”

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote