ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Juwann Winfree, a Dwight Morrow High School graduate, is playing in the big league.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound wide receiver was just drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2019 National Football League draft. He was the first player in the Broncos’ 2019 draft class to sign his four-year rookie deal at the UCHealth Training Center.
To honor the Englewood hometown hero, on June 23, Mayor Michael Wildes presented him with a key to the city. The ceremony took place at the Englewood library and was attended by dozens of residents and special guests, including state Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, Council President Katharine Glynn, Councilman Charles Cobb, and Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton.
Mayor Wildes opened the event with a speech praising Winfree.
“You are the youngest of three children in a two parent household. I can’t tell you how important that is in our city. Your success has a lot to do with the love that was served by your parents and by our teachers in the Englewood schools: the Quarles Early Childhood Center, the Lincoln School and Academies @ Englewood at Dwight Morrow High School,” said Wildes. “When I ask him what was so special about the Academies program, he said, ‘the competitiveness!’”
Wildes continued, “What John Elroy, the general manager of the Broncos saw in Juwann, we in Englewood all played a role. Juwann, we are here today to wish you godspeed and as you open doors in your life, we hope that the key to the city will be something that you will keep in your heart.”
Sheriff Cureton spoke next.
“I come here today not just as the sheriff of Bergen County, but as a proud resident of Englewood with a history of working in the city for 25 years. Being in law enforcement and seeing how some youngsters take a path this way and others a different way. But what they don’t tell you in Englewood is how many kids have taken a great path,” said Cureton.
“It is such an honor to stand here before this proud graduate of Englewood’s schools and proud employee of Englewood [referring to Winfree’s job washing cars when he was in high school]. And as a black man I am proud to see a black man achieve such a successful path and to be a role model for those young people around him. One youngster I just spoke with here at the library said, ‘I hope to be him someday.’”
In recognition of Winfree’s status as a role model and his acceptance in the Denver Broncos, Cureton then presented him with a Certificate of Commendation from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.
Winfree then spoke about his road to success, which was not without setbacks.
“I began playing football when I was 6 years old and then played for the Junior Raiders from 9 to 13 years of age,” Winfree said. “In Dwight Morrow High School, under Coach Barry Harris, I learned to be really competitive and disciplined, because Englewood has so many good athletes. Academics were also emphasized very strongly. As a result, I worked hard in college and I see that a lot of my friends are also doing well now in different careers.”
After high school, Winfree committed to the University of Maryland to play football. He then transferred to Coffeyville Community College, where he was an honorable mention all-conference selection there in 2015 (55 receptions, 937 yards, seven touchdowns). Colorado University took a chance on him in 2016, but a torn ACL in August sidelined him for the season.
Winfree returned to play in all 12 games (one start) in 2017, catching 21 passes for 325 yards (15.5 average) and two scores. Injuries sidelined him for four games in 2018, though he started six of eight games when healthy, making 28 receptions for 324 yards and two touchdowns.
As he engaged the audience in his narrative, Winfree made some poignant revelations.
“I have struggled through some difficult times in my life, both on and off the football field. But, I learned that you have to go out there expecting the best of yourself every day, but you also have to realize that not every day will be your best,” Winfree said. “Fortunately, I am blessed with a great mother and father. They instilled a hard work ethic in me that served me well throughout my academic as well as athletic career.”
When asked what advice he has for youngsters who want to emulate his career path, Winfree answered without hesitation—“patience, hard work and perseverance!”
Winfree’s work ethic and support of the community were praised by Assemblyman Johnson in his remarks.
“Education is so important! It is so good to hear you articulate this and bring the message across to young people who are in the audience,” said Johnson.
Looking toward the future, Winfree said after he retires from playing, he would like to give back to the community by being a coach and working with kids.
People in the audience were delighted to hear that Winfree’s expertise and guidance may soon be part of a curricula taught to Englewood’s next generation.
After Winfree introduced his family members—including his mother, father, sister and older brother—his father, Carl, announced the formation of Team Winfree Youth Foundation, a nonprofit that he will run in honor of his now-famous son. The foundation will host low-cost camps for football, soccer, and basketball as well as leadership conferences for area youth.
The last portion of the event was a question-and-answer session, during which Winfree gave out handmade Broncos bracelets to two boys who he said asked the best questions. He then posed for photos and signed Broncos hats for a group of ardent Winfree admirers.