Philadelphia football standout signed by the NFL’s Seahawks

Philadelphia High School graduate Greg Eiland has signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League.

Eiland, 6-8, 335 pounds, started his football career in Philadelphia Youth Football League. 

He was a two-way starter during his varsity years at Philadelphia High School and went on to play four seasons at Mississippi State as a guard and tackle on the offensive line.

“It seems crazy that it is finally here,” Eiland said. “As I sit back and think about it, it seems like time flew. But it has been some long years on different levels. I have worked hard all through school to reach this point. I had a good training program and I thank God for everything else that has come about.”

Eiland said the Seahawks made the free-agent offer during the sixth round of the NFL Draft last month. 

He said the Saints and the Bills also showed interested in him but he went with the Seahawks.

Eiland said he would be flying out to Seattle on Wednesday morning to join the Seahawks training camp.

“I’m going to stay,” Eiland said. “I will be attending mini-camp. They have me somewhere to stay.”

Eiland said his friends and family have been very supportive.

“Everyone is excited for me,” Eiland said. “I was talking with Seattle’s offensive line coach a couple of weeks before the draft and got to know him a little.”

To prepare for the draft, Eiland attended special training camps in Dallas and in New Jersey earlier this year.

“It went well,” Eiland said. “I was up in New Jersey for about a month and a few weeks. It was a combine program. It helped prepare me for the draft and for training camp.”