HomeBleachers Exclusive interview with Marcus Cromartie

The journey from Wisconsin to San Francisco has Marcus Cromartie living his dream. Cromartie’s football career got started as a freshman at Ben Franklin High School in New Orleans before his family relocated to Texas following Hurricane Katrina. The move transitioned Marcus to Timberview High School in Mansfield, Texas.

Cromartie would go on to to take home second team all district as a junior. The talented defensive back continued his growth taking over captains duty in his senior year as well as taking home multiple honors including first team All-District as well as local county honors. His play on the field led to him being ranked the 43rd best defensive back heading into college.

Multiple College Programs

The accolades along with the 43rd ranking as well as being ranked as a top 100 prospect in Texas helped him garner interest from multiple college programs including offers from Texas A&M, Kansas, Iowa St., Air Force and Wisconsin. Cromartie would elect to become a Badger and attend the University of Wisconsin.

Despite putting together a terrific 2012 season for the Badgers recording 62 tackles and 13 pass deflections along with an impressive 4.35 40 yard dash time at the Badgers pro day, Cromartie would not hear his name called during the 2013 NFL Draft. That wouldn’t slow down the very athletic cornerback as his goals were to find a spot on an NFL roster.

That goal would be accomplished as he was signed by the San Diego Chargers on May 13, 2013. The up and downs have continued for Cromartie as he has spent the past two seasons between the Chargers, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. Through all of the journey the hard work paid off as he appeared in three games this season with the 49ers recording four solo tackles and one pass deflection.

1) What was your favorite sport growing up?

Favorite sport growing up had to be football

Cromartie was a talented athlete at the high school level on the football field and the track earning him captain status. Cromartie also took home the school record in the 200 meters with a 21.77.

2) What was your favorite & most hated team growing up?

Loved watching the Miami hurricanes growing up, the swagger they played with was awesome, most hated team ..ummm I use to like Yankees growing up, so the Red Sox was probably closet u will get to hated

3) What was your first professional game you went to?

First pro game I went to was Saints-Vikings in the Superdome..pretty sure Randy Moss had a amazing game

Moss was an amazing wide receiver and that game Randy finished 11 catches for 113 yards and two touchdown receptions.

What is your favorite movie?

Favorite movie, that’s tough big fan of Dicaprio but fav movie is either 300 or Training day

Both 300 and Training day are two of the top movies of their generation garnering interest from a variety of fans including being a top favorite of sports fans around the country.

5) Favorite moment playing for the Badgers?

Favorite moment at Wisconsin would have been beating Nebraska in big ten title game and getting to be coached by the great Barry Alvarez for the bowl game

The former Badgers head coach Barry Alvarez who last coached at Wisconsin in 2005 was brought in on an interim basis following the 2012 regular season after head coach Bret Bielema left to join Arkansas. The long time Badger head coach who racked up 118 wins and 73 losses between 1990 and 2005. Alvarez and the Badgers would come up short losing to Stanford 20-14.

Alvarez had the same opportunity this season after head coach Gary Anderson opted to leave the school to go to Oregon State. This time the outcome would be different as the Badgers would win in the Outback Bowl.

6) What did you think of the Super Bowl?

Super Bowl was ok, not as competitive as you would have thought…but I overall enjoyed this year playoffs other than not winning a Super Bowl myself

7) What team do you hate playing against?

Hate is a strong word, but any team in the division is always a tough game. They know you, you know them, a lot of bad blood.. Raiders are a big rivalry , but so is Denver. And sure you can use a picture.