He is a legend not only in his hometown of Central Falls, Rhode Island, but all over the state and region. His football achievements were legendary. He led the state of Rhode Island in high school scoring by almost double of what the player in second place scored. He averaged over 30 yards a reception, 10 yards per carry, and returned kicks and punts for touchdowns at will. There was nothing Kashif Montgomery couldn’t do as a football player. And then he disappeared.
Recruited by just about every school in the northeast and many more across the country, the talented wide receiver had his heart set on Boston College.
He always dreamed about dominating football games with his blazing speed, surprising strength, and incredible hands. Montgomery envisioned himself winning a national championship and then entering the NFL draft and being picked in the first round. But that dream never came to fruition.
Montgomery never made it to Boston College. Instead, after his grades fell too far for major colleges to accept him even on a football scholarship,
Montgomery ended up at Dean College in Franklin, MA. He did play one year of small school college football, but after having a child with his girlfriend, Montgomery needed to drop out and support his family.
Montgomery and his family moved in with his mother to conserve cash and help take care of his son. In the meantime, he took odd jobs and worked as a garbage man, anything to support his family. He worked hard, as he always did, to make sure there was food on the table and clothes for his son and wife.
After the birth of his second son, Kashif decided to return to college, this time at Virginia at Lynchburg. He still had the urge to play football so he joined the team as a safety, a position he also played in high school. Virginia Lynchburg had not had a football program in decades and Montgomery knew that they would field an awful team, but nevertheless he wanted to don a uniform and show off his incredible athletic ability.
Montgomery left college again this past year and hired a football agent who has been marketing him to NFL and CFL teams. The problem is that there is no tape of him playing college football. The only tape of him playing football comes from the Rhode Island vs. Connecticut All-Star Game his senior year in high school, a game in which Montgomery dominated as a receiver and kick returner. NFL and CFL teams want to see as much recent tape as possible and unfortunately for Montgomery, there just isn’t any available.
Despite the obstacles, Montgomery’s agent got him a look at Brown University’s Pro Day in March. Not known for producing many NFL-caliber players, the Brown Pro Day usually doesn’t draw too many scouts. However, those scouts that did attend were treated to a spectacular show. Montgomery wowed the scouts by running anywhere from 4.4 to 4.5, benching 225 lbs 19 times, running a very fast pro shuttle, jumping vertically 36” and broad jumping over 10 feet. More importantly, Montgomery displayed his incredible natural athletic ability by running great pass routes and easily catching anything thrown near him. The scouts were impressed and all in attendance called his agent within an hour of seeing him wanting to know more.
Unfortunately, Montgomery went undrafted on Draft Day and despite 14 teams reaching out to his agent to learn more about him, also went unsigned as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent. Montgomery was discouraged, but not heartbroken.
Kashif continues to workout every day with his trainer Lorenzo Perry readying himself should the call come from an NFL team offering a private workout. He also has been preparing to tryout for the CFL at a combine in Oakland, NJ on May 19th. There is no doubt in Montgomery’s mind that he will wear a uniform and star as a wide receiver for a professional football team. All he needs is a chance.
The football career of Kashif Montgomery has yet to take off, but what a story it will be when he does finally get his chance in the NFL or CFL. Kashif Montgomery is indeed the Roy Hobbs of football.
-Brad Berkowitz
