Sam Montgomery, a defensive end currently with the DC Defenders of the XFL, grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina. He attended Greenwood High School, and was an all-round athlete, playing football, running track and even throwing the shot put.
“I just really took advantage of everything,” Sam said. “I had a really strong competitive edge… I just took advantage of everything that I really could put my hands on just to compete, deal friendships and go to different places throughout South Carolina to travel.”
After high school, Montgomery attended Louisiana State University and played for the LSU Tigers from 2010 to 2012. In his sophomore season in 2011, he was named an All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, Pro Football Weekly, and Scout.com. He was also selected for the first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 2011 and 2012.
Montgomery is quick to attribute his college success to the team.
“I had a chance to play with a lot of great players, had a lot of great defensive players to back me up,” Montgomery explained. “It was really good to be blessed to be at LSU at a period of time where our defense could flourish with our coordinator as well.”
In 2013, after college, Montgomery was drafted to the Houston Texans. However, after bouncing from the Texans to the Raiders, and then to the Bengals, he was released by the Bengals in 2015. The NFL was not kind to Sam Montgomery, but he gained valuable experience that would serve him later in his football career.
Montgomery took a trip north and worked for the Edmonton Eskimos, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL, but eventually came back south to join the Massachusetts Pirates of the National Arena League (NAL).
In the spring of 2019, Montgomery joined the Memphis Express of the AAF, but was placed on the Injured Reserve List at the time that the fledgling league folded.
When asked about his football career, Montgomery is reflective.
“I played a lot of football, had a chance to meet a lot of different coaches and learn a lot of different defenses, and a lot of different techniques. So, it’s really made me into a really diverse player, as far as being a hands-down or a stand-up defensive end.”
“That’s what I thrive off of. Having those good relationships with the staff, and being in good relationships with my teammates on the field as a hard worker.”
Good morning, the seeds that you planted will grow. It is not the sunshine that will determine growth, it is the light within the gardener that will determine his yield.#Empowerment#NeutralWisdom#LoveLiveLife
Now that Montgomery has joined the DC Defenders, he hopes to use his skills and experience to be a part of what he sees as, potentially, the strongest defense in the league.
“I would describe the DC Defenders (defensive) unit as a true family from the d-line to the OL-d’s to the linebackers to little corners, to the safety, and to the free safety,” Montgomery said. “Even in this short period of time, we become really close. It’s really a family… we help everybody out… it’s a really good team of men.”
This weekend, Montgomery is headed to Houston for the Defenders training camp and he is very upbeat about the Defenders and their chances for a championship.
“We’re taking it one day at a time and we’re just doing what we have to do. I believe in this team to win a championship. You know, you look every man in the eyes and you see what you have. I believe this caliber of team is a championship caliber team. I do.”
DC Defenders fans must love to hear this!
First open practice, great turnout. I hope that all the fans enjoyed the hard nose competitions. True football lovers and fans thank you for your support. The defenders will protect the love for the game. #DefendTheDMV#SonicSam#XFLpic.twitter.com/lrimnJSocX
