Some players are just so good, there is very little they won’t do to help the team. There is no question 2016 Milford graduate Shawn Snowden was one of those players. Always upbeat, with his head in the game and a star on the field and in the classroom, Snowden personified what any coach looks for in a high school football player. Probably his greatest asset, however, was his ability to always bring a positive attitude to the game. As a result of all of these traits, Snowden will be inducted into the 12th Man Gridiron Club Hall of Fame on September 18th.
While primarily a tight and defensive end, Snowden could also play as a slot receiver or spread wide. Speaking with former Milford coach Shaun Strickland, he was very happy to have coached Snowden during his senior year.
“He was a great player to coach, he was eager to learn and ready to win,” Snowden said. “He was a guy who watched a lot of film and was asked to shoulder a great deal of responsibility and never shied away from it.”
Strickland continued.
“He wanted to win but also knew how to have fun. In one game he told us he was wide open on a particular play we ran and said he would prove it by waving to us on the sidelines,” he said. “Sure enough, we ran the play, which was a completed play-action touchdown pass to Brion Murray. When we were looking at the film, there was Shawn waving to the coaches as he ran wide-open across the middle of the field. We all had a good laugh about it, Shawn was happy he proved his point, but happier that Brion scored on the play. That was him in a nutshell, he didn’t care that he didn’t get the ball, he just wanted us to know the play was there if we needed it.”
It can be easy to quantify a player by stats, but that was not the case with Snowden, while he made his fair share of highlight reel plays, it was his willingness to do the dirty work for the betterment of the team that separated him from most of his teammates. When you look at his awards, a clearer picture of what he was about comes into focus. A three-year letterman, Snowden also won multiple All-State and All-Conference Academic awards. Snowden was also a two-time winner of The Buccaneers Most Improved Player award, while also garnering the Team Defensive Player of The Year award on one occasion. Snowden was recognized as a 1st team and 2nd team All-Conference, in addition to a 3rd team All-State selection. While selected for The Blue-Gold game, Snowden was unable to play due to injury. He would also play one season at Salisbury before hanging up his cleats.
When speaking with Snowden he was thrilled to be entering The Hall of Fame.
“I am truly honored to have been selected,” Snowden said. “There are so many Milford legends in there and to be part of that group is exciting and humbling at the same time.”
When asked about his favorite memories, Snowden once again went back to the team experience.
“Making bonds with friends that are still strong today, the bus rides home, just being part of a brotherhood that will always be special to me,” he answered. “I also had such great coaches, like coach Tkach, Strickland, Carter, Brennan, Marvel and Ryan.”
Snowden, who also started at baseball while he was at Milford, could not have done any of it without a support system in place.
“My parents were always there for me, they sacrificed a lot for me and I can’t express how grateful I am for them,” Snowden said. “None of this happens without their support.” While in middle school Snowden would meet his future wife in the person of Kayla Brennan “I have been very blessed to have met the love of my life at such a young age. She is so important and special to me, I owe her and love her so much.”
Snowden, still living in Milford, is a Physical Therapy Assistant and Assistant Clinic Director for Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance.
