Morris jolted reporters by talking about the adversity he has gone through, going back to when he was 2 months old.
"I was living with my birth mom, and she pretty much tried to give me away," he said. "Ever since then, since I was 2 months old to now, I've been with my dad. I've always had his support. I told him if I could just be half the man he was, then my life would be complete."
Morris said his father, Roman Morris, "never missed a game, home or away, since I was a true freshman," and he spoke of his life since NCAA sanctions were imposed on the football program in July.
"He texted me [Monday] night, 'You know, Steph, I've never been so proud of you in my life the way you hung in there with those guys,' " he said. "When the sanctions did come out, I texted my dad right away and told him, 'I'm staying. If anyone calls you, ignore them or tell them I'm staying where I'm at.'
"Yesterday he texted me and told me, 'I never wanted you to leave but I wanted to let you make your own decision. But I'm glad you made the right one. If you left, I would have supported you because you're my son.' I'm just so happy about the opportunity.
"It wasn't just him. There's my stepmom. When I go out there Saturday, they're going to [introduce] Roman Morris and Cynthia Spriggs. That's my stepmom. She's helped me since I was 2 years old. When I run on the field toward them, I'm probably going to get very teary."
McGloin a semifinalist. Quarterback Matt McGloin was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the top football player who began his career as a walk-on. "I'm definitely honored to be considered," McGloin said. "Any time you're nominated for an award, it's exciting. You want to win it. But as exciting as it is, I want to finish this last game on a high note, and then we'll worry about personal goals and awards and things like that."
Contact Joe Juliano at jjuliano@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @joejulesinq.
