Henry Monroe
{{Short description|American football player (born 1956)}}
{{good article}}
{{For|those of a similar name|Henry Munro (disambiguation){{!}}Henry Munro}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Henry Monroe
| number = 43, 24
| position = Defensive back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|12|30}}
| birth_place = Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 180
| high_school = B. C. Rain
(Mobile, Alabama)
| college = Mississippi State (1975–1978)
| draftyear = 1979
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 180
| pastteams =
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1979}})
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1979}}, {{NFL Year|1981}})
- San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|1982}})*
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 6
| pfr = MonrHe20
}}
Henry Evans Monroe (born December 30, 1956) is an American former professional football defensive back. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 1979 NFL draft. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles and had a brief stint with the San Diego Chargers.
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Early life and college career
Monroe was born on December 30, 1956, in Mobile, Alabama.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/m/monr00400.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=June 19, 2025|title=Henry Monroe Stats}} He attended Ben C. Rain High School where he competed in football and track and field.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-register/174839965/|newspaper=The Mobile Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 14, 1972|page=16|title=Track Season Ends With All-County Picks|author=Menton, Eddie}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-register/174840303/|newspaper=The Mobile Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 8, 1974|page=35|title=Monroe scores 3 as Rain romps|author=Ashbrook, Robert}} {{Open access}} In track, he was an All-County performer in the 4 × 440 yards relay, while in football, he was a two-time All-County and All-Region selection at halfback.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-press/174840373/|newspaper=The Mobile Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 18, 1975|page=16|title=Rain's Monroe signs with Mississippi St. while Copiah-Lincoln inks teammate}} {{Open access}} As a senior with the football team, he ran for 938 yards and nine touchdowns. In high school, he was also a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He signed to play college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Monroe attended Mississippi State University from 1975 to 1978, receiving varsity letters with the football team in his last three years. He was a backup cornerback for the Bulldogs in 1976.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vicksburg-post/174842270/|newspaper=The Vicksburg Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 29, 1976|page=37|title=Bulldogs Prepare For Opener}} {{Open access}} He became a starter with four games left in the 1977 season and remained a starter as a senior in 1978.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-herald/174842358/|newspaper=Sun Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 22, 1978|page=C-39, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-herald/174842448/ C-40], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-herald/174842472/ C-41]|title=Mississippi State Bulldogs|author=Rolison, Roy}} {{Open access}} He also played for the Bulldogs special teams on the kickoff and punt units.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vicksburg-post/174842512/|newspaper=The Vicksburg Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 22, 1978|page=15, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vicksburg-post/174842874/ 18]|title=Twelve 'Dogs In Final Appearance}} {{Open access}} Prior to the last game of the 1978 season, Monroe had totaled 49 tackles, three pass deflections and an interception.
Professional career
Monroe was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round (180th overall) of the 1979 NFL draft. He made the team and appeared in the first three games of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MonrHe20/gamelog/|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=June 19, 2025|title=Henry Monroe Career Game Log}} In Week 2, against the New Orleans Saints, Monroe recovered an onside kick that helped the Packers make a comeback victory.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news/174843207/|newspaper=Kenosha News|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 21, 1979|page=23|title=Packers sign defensive back|agency=United Press International}} {{Open access}} However, he suffered an ankle injury in the game and was then placed on injured reserve on September 20, 1979. He was later released by the Packers on November 24.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/m/monr00400.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=June 19, 2025|title=Henry Monroe Transactions}} During his time with the Packers, he had mainly been used on special teams, with occasional use as a nickelback.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-register/174843812/|newspaper=The Mobile Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 18, 1980|page=40|title=Monroe An Eagle}} {{Open access}}
On November 27, Monroe signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a replacement for the injured Al Latimer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-monroe-newest-ea/150382158/|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 28, 1979|page=62|title=Monroe Newest Eagle|author=Smith, Gary|author-link=Gary Smith (sportswriter)}} {{Open access}} He appeared in three games for the Eagles as a backup cornerback. In July 1980, he retired to enter medical school.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call/174844153/|newspaper=The Morning Call|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 24, 1980|page=43|title=Drop in temperature brings out Eagles' best|author=Aubrey, Colt}} {{Open access}} He came out of retirement and re-signed with the Eagles on July 23, 1981, but was released on August 10. Monroe signed with the San Diego Chargers in April 1982 but was later released, ending his professional career. He concluded his professional career with six games played.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Green Bay Packers 1979 NFL draft picks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Monroe, Henry}}
Category:Players of American football from Mobile, Alabama
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:American football defensive backs
Category:Mississippi State Bulldogs football players