BELLEVUE, Wash. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Noury, a career counselor with Marine Corps Recruiting Substation Bellevue, presented a Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl certificate of commendation to Bellevue High School Wolverines football star Marcus Griffin during a ceremony here, May 9, 2014.
Griffin, a 18-year-old senior and Bellevue native, was among 90 student athletes selected as Semper Fi All-Americans for their dedication to the community, classroom and on the gridiron. Griffin was the sole Washington State student selected to participate in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., Jan. 5.
In retrospect, Griffin said the Semper Fi All-American Bowl was “a big honor and a blessing” to participate in. He enjoyed the focus on learning “how to win as a team and be a good teammate,” and reminisced about the intensity of their pre-game workouts, courtesy of a team of intense Marine drill instructors.
“The whole experience helped me remember that hard work is what helps you succeed in life,” Griffin said. “If you want to be in a good position both on and off the field, doing those little things — from helping with community service to getting workouts in — add up to help push you past other people.”
The affable 6’3”, 300-pound Griffin, who will graduate from Bellevue’s Academic International in June, was a top-ranked defensive lineman for the Bellevue HS Wolverines’ 2013 varsity squad that won the 3A Washington State High School Football Championship in December. In June, Griffin will begin attending the University of Arizona on a football scholarship.