Captain Munnerlyn

Captain Munnerlyn (born April 10, 1988) is a professional American football cornerback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Panthers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina for three years.

Munnerlyn played high school football at Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama where he was named All–region three times. Following high school he chose to play college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks after receiving scholarship offers from two other teams. As a freshman in 2006 he played in 11 games and recorded a season high five tackles in two. In 2007, Munnerlyn was both a nickel back and return specialist for the Gamecocks. Following the season he was named All–Southeastern Conference (SEC). In 2008, he was elevated to starting cornerback while also returning kicks and punts. Against Kentucky, he returned a kickoff 84 yards and a blocked field goal 81 yards. On the second day of the 2009 NFL Draft, Munnerlyn was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round (216 overall). After battling Ryne Robinson for the starting punt returner job in training camp, Munnerlyn was named the starter.

Early years
Munnerlyn was born three months premature in Mobile and at birth weighed three pounds, eight ounces. He grew up in Happy Hills, which was a crime-infested part of Mobile. When he was growing up, his father was murdered and both of his brothers sold drugs. His oldest brother, Timothy, was convicted in 1996 of murder and was sentenced to life in prison. After the shooting, Munnerlyn's mother converted to Christianity and he eventually did the same. Munnerlyn eventually said of the conversion and his mother's prayers that he would stay out of trouble, "Without her prayers, I don't think I could be here [the NFL] right now."

Munnerlyn attended Murphy High School where he was a three- time region selection and participated in the Junior All–Star Game. During high school he also was a track and field runner, competing in the 100 m and 200 m.

College career
After high school Munnerlyn was recruited by South Carolina, West Virginia and Kansas State. He chose South Carolina on January 13, 2006. As a freshman, Munnerlyn was not redshirted and played in 12 games. He missed one game due to an infection in his forearm. For the season, he recorded 36 tackles with his season high of five coming against Tennessee and Houston. Munnerlyn also recorded two interceptions and five pass deflections.

In 2007, as a sophomore, Munnerlyn split time at cornerback and kick returner and was called a "shut down corner" on Rivals.com. Against Vanderbilt, to whom South Carolina lost 17–6, Munnerlyn returned a punt 46 yards and also forced a fumble. In the same game, South Carolina wide receiver Kenny McKinley fielded a punt and flipped it to Munnerlyn who gained eight yards. Following, the season he was named First–team All–SEC.

Head coach Steve Spurrier benched Munnerlyn for the first series against Ole Miss due to Munnerlyn missing class and team weightlifting sessions. Against Kentucky, Munnerlyn returned a kickoff 84 yards before being tackled on the 16 yard line. On the next play quarterback Stephen Garcia completed a touchdown pass to Kenny McKinley. In the same game, Munnerlyn returned a blocked field goal for an 81 yard touchdown.

He declared for the NFL Draft following the 2008 season.

Carolina Panthers
Munnerlyn was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He called being drafted by the Panthers, "exciting because I played college ball at South Carolina, and that's only like an hour away. It was exciting to hear my name get called. I'm ready for it, ready to take my game to the next level." In the 2009 preseason, he was competing with wide receiver Ryne Robinson for the punt returner job. In the Panthers second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, Munnerlyn returned a punt 58 yards and also fumbled one but recovered it, while Robinson fumbled a punt which the Dolphins recovered. He eventually won the punt return job as well as the third cornerback job beating out C. J. Wilson and Sherrod Martin for the job by the end of September. On November 30, Munnerlyn suffered a concussion against the New York Jets but said days later that he planned on playing in the next game despite the NFL's changing of the concussion policy. Munnerlyn did not play the following week's game but returned the next week against the New England Patriots. He completed the 2009 season playing in 15 games total as the Panthers finished 3rd in the NFC South with 8 wins and 8 loses.

Personal
When asked why his name is Captain, Munnerlyn said, "My momma promised my grandmomma that she could name the last child. I was the boy of the family, and she named me Captain. Her great grandfather was named Captain (Why?), so I got named after my great-great grandfather." Munnerlyn also said that his "sisters and brothers have normal names" and his "odd name ... fits my personality, because I feel like a leader." Munnerlyn majored in criminal justice while at South Carolina.