In 1997, E. J. Junior was voted Nashville’s Most Outstanding All-Time Athlete. From his high school sports accomplishments to his continuing professional accomplishments, E. J. continues to earn the respect of his hometown.
He attended Maplewood High School where he graduated 5th in his class, served as Student Body President, was awarded the Hume Award, became an Eagle Scout, was president of his youth ministry and choir all while racking up one of the most storied high school athletic careers in history. E. J. was a 2-time All-American, and numerous times was named All-State, All-County and All-City in football. He was a member of the State runner-up team in football (1975) as well as a member of two State Champion Track Teams (1975, 1976).
E. J. earned a degree in Public Relations from the University of Alabama where he played for the legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant from 1977-1980. He was a 4-yr letterman and 4-yr starter at Defensive End. He earned All-SEC honors in 1978, 1979, 1980, was a consensus All-American in 1979 & 1980, and played on National Championship teams in 1978 & 1979. He also earned the SEC Defensive Player of Year in 1980, was a Lombardi Award Finalist in 1980, was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game and won the Defensive MVP for South in the 1981 Senior Bowl.
Nashville honored him with an “E. J. Junior Day” in February 1981. E. J. Junior was the first round draft choice of the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals in 1981. He earned All Rookie honors that year; afterwards he earned All Pro honors in 1984 and 1985, as well as being elected to two Pro Bowls in 1984 and 1985. He was elected as the team defensive captain from 1983-1987 and led the team in tackles from 1983-1986. He also played for the Miami Dolphins from 1989 to 1992 under the legendary Don Shula. He was playing for the Seattle Seahawks in 1993 when a knee injury ended his playing career.
E. J. has served as a linebacker coach (defensive internship for the Seattle Seahawks 1994, Minnesota Vikings 2003, Jacksonville Jaguars 2005, and the Rhein Fire 2005, of NFL Europe League) and as an NFL administrator (Miami Dolphins, Director of Player Programs).
In March of 2009, E. J. was named Head Coach at Central State University in Ohio. As an ordained minister, E. J. has devoted much of his life to counseling and mentoring youth. E. J. Junior was inducted into the Sr. Bowl Hall of Fame in January 2007, the Nashville Public School Hall of Fame in October 2006, and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in May 2012. E.J. is currently the defensive line coach at Delaware State.