BALTIMORE, Md. (Jan. 25, 2019) -- College football has grown to be a full-time job for many people over time. When the first college football game was played 150 years ago, the game and practices were the only things to worry about. Now there's something going on year-round for players and coaches. 

With the changes, the East-West Shrine game has been constant for NFL personnel and college football players. Since 1925, this game has launched the careers of many but more importantly; helped the Shriners Hospitals for Children®. The impact of the game has helped over a million children and their parents with medical care and rehabilitation, regardless of the families' ability to pay.
 
The game has proved to be a platform for the future stars of the game. On average, more than 300 East-West Shrine Game alumni are on NFL rosters each year. From this game alone, 77 former players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and over 200 former players have been named to the College Football Hall of Fame.

And for Morgan State, Joshua Miles proved himself on this platform during the 2019 edition of the game. Miles played tackle this season for the Bears which translated into being one of the best tackles not just in the MEAC or FCS, but in the nation. His invitation and performance in the game proved that Miles' play is consistent, and his intangibles can't be ignored. 

"This is big time!" was Miles' first reaction when he received the invite. He later mentioned that he pondered about the "all-time greats" that played in the game. Legends like Tom Brady, Brett Favre, John Elway and Walter Payton made their impact on the same stage that Miles played on.

Payton is legendary, but he's also an HBCU great as well (Jackson State). He was on the backend of a time when HBCU's consistently produced pro players each year. As more programs rose to the forefront and more campuses started to be integrated; that reality shrunk for many HBCU players. But for Miles, he acknowledged that there's great talent on the HBCU level. 

"It doesn't matter where you came from," said Miles. "If you have game, if you're willing to work hard, and if it's in God's plan for you; it's possible." 

After missing a season and fighting to become academically eligible again, he pushed and rose above the rest. Miles' attention from pro scouts and the media inspired his teammates.  With the spotlight and shine that waits for him, he gives credit to the offensive and defensive linemen that played with him at Morgan State. The position is a violent position and Miles knows that his peers like Stefan Touani, Colby Warrior, AJ Agbelese, Matthew Thompson, and others helped push him to be his best self on the field. His coaches were also a big source of motivation for him as well. Miles noticed that "they each poured something different into me". 

Most importantly, Miles gave a lot of compliments and admiration towards his mother. "She's just been super supportive," said Miles. "My mother is the most amazingly strong and compassionate person I know." 

Joshua Miles has been through a lot, but he's grateful. Morgan State produces greatness and he's just another example of how Morgan State is Growing the Future and Leading the World.

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu. 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Morgan State University a National Treasure in 2016, in the latest significant effort towards preserving the rich cultural legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The National Trust and Morgan State University have partnered to develop a preservation plan that stewards the many historic buildings on campus, while planning wisely for the university's future. To learn more about the Morgan State University National Treasure, visit www.savingplaces.org.