Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008

Seahawk rises above adversity

In April, 252 players were selected in the NFL draft, and none of them was named Michael Bumpus. But as he's done much of his football career, the former Washington State University star persevered and now is gaining notice as a wide receiver and punt

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

 Patience is certainly not one of Michael Bumpus's virtues.

When the University of Southern California informed him that they planned on redshirting him as a freshman, Bumpus gave the football powerhouse a thanks-but-no-thanks and headed off to Washington State University.

When 32 teams passed on him in the April NFL draft, Bumpus shrugged his shoulders and set out to play as a rookie.

And when the Seattle Seahawks gave him his first significant action at wide receiver last Sunday, Bumpus didn't wait very long to reward them with a touchdown.

"Things can happen so fast, which I've learned," he said. "You've got to keep working hard and be ready."

As an NFL player, Bumpus has come a long way since that dark day earlier this month when he got his first pink slip. Bumpus was sitting in Seattle teammate Bobby Engram's Qwest Field suite, proudly sporting a throwback Drew Bledsoe jersey and watching his WSU Cougars get pounded by Oklahoma State, when he got the dreaded call.

"It was an unrecognized 425 number, so I knew what the call was. I was like, 'Here we go,'" he said. "Sure enough, I got cut, and then I was on the practice squad the next day having to start all over again."

That was three weeks ago, and since that date Bumpus has been added to the active roster, given punt-return duties, settled in as the injury-riddled team's slot receiver and caught his first touchdown pass.

It's been quite a ride for Bumpus as of late.

"I'm just grateful," Bumpus said on Sunday, clutching the ball he caught a couple hours earlier for his first career touchdown reception. "It's been like a fairytale. From an undrafted free agent to getting to play in the second and third games, I couldn't ask for more. This is the happiest I've been since I graduated from high school."

When Bumpus graduated from Culver City High School in 2004, the ballyhooed receiver was on his way to play at USC. He signed with the Trojans, but Bumpus said that he backed out after the school recruited Dwayne Jarrett and told Bumpus that he would have to redshirt.

"I wanted to play, and the rest of the schools (in the Pac-10) were going to let me play, so I went to go play," said Bumpus, who ended up at WSU.

By the time he finished his four years in Pullman, Bumpus was WSU's all-time leader in receptions (195) and punt return yards (801). He caught a team-best 70 passes as a senior, earning honorable mention all-conference honors.

In April, 252 players were selected in the NFL draft. None was named Michael Bumpus.

"I knew what to expect," Bumpus said of draft weekend. "There was a chance I would be drafted late, but I knew what was going on. My agent was honest with me. I knew what to expect, and I told my family."

While Jarrett and other USC wideouts like Mike Williams and Steve Smith went on to become first-day picks, Bumpus had to try to make an NFL roster the hard way. But he said he doesn't regret his decision to back out of his initial letter of intent.

"When it comes to the media (attention) and being drafted, I might've had a better chance if I had gone down there," he said about USC. "But I don't regret going to Wazzu at all. I love Wazzu. To this day, I still walk around proud, even though we've gotten whooped.

"… I might've had some (national championship) rings right now, but I don't have any rings. But it's all good. Maybe I'll get a Super Bowl ring one day."

The state of Washington has been pretty good to Bumpus, who has caught four passes and returned seven punts since being added to the active roster. Injuries at the position forced him into action earlier than expected, and Bumpus responded.

"He's done a nice job with it, for a guy that wasn't even on our roster to start the season," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said after Sunday's win over St. Louis. "He has come in and played well. He made some nice tough catches. He is still learning as he goes, but I think he has been a pleasant surprise."

All Bumpus needed was the opportunity.

"It happened at the expense of other good people, which is bad," he said. "But you just have to go out and take advantage of your opportunity."

Engram and Deion Branch are expected back from injuries after this weekend's bye, while recent addition Koren Robinson is also expected to start contributing in the near future. Bumpus could continue returning punts, but his snaps at receiver are probably a thing of the past.

When he got the chance, Bumpus certainly made the most of it.

"When I signed with the practice squad, I felt I would have an opportunity somewhere," Bumpus said. "But I had no idea it would happen so fast."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA