The Philadelphia Inquirer Marc Narducci column

Marc Narducci

May 3, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Chris Pressley didn't worry when he wasn't drafted by an NFL team last week. The 2004 Woodbury graduate from the University of Wisconsin just went about business and found himself an opportunity, signing a free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

As a senior at Wisconsin, Pressley didn't crumble after breaking his right thumb the week before the season opener. He just taped it up and continued to play fullback, not carrying the ball much but crushing any suspecting tackler.

Before his junior year in 2006, Pressley suffered a broken ankle that forced him to miss the entire season and redshirt.

No problem -- he used the time to get stronger and eventually earn an extra degree.

Obstacles have been like helpless cornerbacks who have been crushed by the 5-foot-11, 257-pound Pressley.

He has bowled over the obstacles in his life like pinballs, and he has had his share to knock over.

Yet here he is in an NFL camp, having earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and consumer science while ready to add a master's degree in life science communications on May 16.

"He's one of the more impressive young men I have come across," said Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema, in a phone interview. "As soon as he is done playing football, I have people lined up that want to hire him in the business world."

Pressley was an outstanding student at Woodbury and it carried into college. He was able to excel on the football field and in the classroom despite one setback after another.

For instance, prior to his freshman year at Woodbury, Pressley, who was among six children living with his mother, saw his family lose its home.

The Pressleys were evicted and were sent scrambling for shelter.

"We had to first stay in a shelter in Vineland and then stayed with various family members," Pressley said last week in a phone interview. "It wasn't anything my mom did. We lost the property and the bank took it away."

If that wasn't unsettling enough, the same scenario happened again during his senior year at Woodbury.

This time his uncle Glenn Pressley, a 1990 graduate of Deptford and also a high school standout in football, took some of the family in.

"Chris is an awesome kid and anything I could ask for in a family member," said Glenn Pressley, who is a union electrician.

Chris Pressley actually used the adversity as a source of motivation.

"I remember when we lost our house and I knew I had to be one of those people that would have to become stronger from that situation," Chris Pressley said. "What won't break you will make you."

And as a senior in high school there was an additional responsibility when Chris Pressley became a father. His son's name is Chris Jr.

"He had a lot of responsibility when he left for Wisconsin and he has met the challenge," Glenn Pressley said.

Since attending Wisconsin, Pressley has gotten the most from his education. Through the University of Wisconsin School of Business, he has been to China, earning college credits in a course that lasted just under five weeks.

"It's a great way to broaden your horizons," he said.

Pressley said he was inspired at how his mother, Jacqueline, has held everything together despite all the hardship. He hopes to make it to the NFL as much for her as himself.

"Hopefully, I will make the team and be able to help my mom out," he said.

Those who know him won't sell Pressley short.

"The thing about Chris is he is humble and very caring," said Woobury coach Zack Valentine said. "He is going a long ways."

Once again Pressley is in the role of underdog, one that he actually embraces.

"I really like it because you are hungry and have to show people no matter what type of box you are put in, you have to be outside the box," Pressley said.

For his entire life, there hasn't been a barrier that has been able to hold Pressley down for very long. This time the odds remain long, but for somebody who has bucked them all his life, in Chris Pressley's view, this is just another in a long line of obstacles to overcome.

Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com

Newstex ID: 34615918