In what looked as if it would be a story similar to Vegas Golden Knights' Deryk Engelland, former Cimarron-Memorial standout and NFL linebacker Brandon Marshall signed with the soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders this past offseason, setting the 29-year-old up to be the first "Vegas Born" member of the Sin City Silver and Black. Alas, it wasn't meant to be as the Raiders parted ways with Marshall Friday morning, releasing Marshall after the former Denver Bronco had three tackles in three preseason appearances and did not play in Thursday night’s finale.
Marshall, who was ecstatic to join what would be Las Vegas' first NFL franchise, will now look elsewhere for work. The former Super Bowl champion started 63 games during his six-year stint with the Broncos, and was a key contributor to the team that beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
Marshall broke the news himself, via social media, thanking the Raiders for the opportunity.
https://twitter.com/BMarshh/status/1167476612129906689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Raiders, who move into their new digs at Allegiant Stadium next fall, were counting on Marshall to make an impact at the linebacker position but didn't perform enough to give them confidence under defensive coordinator Paul Geunther. It's disappointing, considering the symbolism of a Vegas product running out of the tunnel with the Raiders in their first Vegas season.
Marshall was excited about the prospects of being the local face, much like Engelland was for the Golden Knights.
“It would be like a fairy tale,” Marshall said after signing. “Obviously, I have to make it, but just thinking about it gives me goose bumps.”
The 29-year-old has always been a mainstay in the local football community after creating the Williams-Marshall Cares Leadership Program, whose goal is to create tomorrow’s leaders from local at-risk youth through acts of service and education.
“Each of the kids has to maintain a certain GPA and have a certain number of community service hours and not get into trouble at school,” Marshall said. “We put them around doctors and lawyers and successful business professionals. We recently took them to CNN in Atlanta for some volunteer work and they saw the house Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in.
“I’m just trying to create our next leaders. That’s very important to me. I never had a father figure growing up. I had to figure things out on my own about being a man. I know everyone doesn’t become (an NFL player). Some go the other way. But it’s important that I try and guide these kids on the right path.”
After signing his one-year deal in March, Marshall was guaranteed $350,000 at signing, but the Raiders clear $1 million in cap space with the move. It is unclear what potential suitors will be kicking the tires on Marshall, after the linebacker struggled in pass coverage in recent years.
The Raiders open their final season in O*kland on Monday Night Football on Sept. 9 at 7:20 p.m. PST.
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