THE SAMUEL FILE
CFP National Champion, 2015
First-team All-Big Ten, 2016
Signed three-year, $34.5 million deal, 2021
By Lenn Robbins
Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School will never be mistaken for IMG Academy in Florida or De La Salle in California. Located in a tough inner-New York City neighborhood, Erasmus doesn’t have the facilities or financial backing to churn out prep football stars.
But Washington Commanders hybrid back Curtis Samuel is the latest in a line of exceptionally successful Erasmus alums. Barbra Streisand hit her first high note at Erasmus. Former NBA star Billy Cunningham blossomed as a hoops star. Bobby Fischer was checkmating classmates long before he became recognized as the world’s greatest chess player.
And there have been a couple of NFL stars that came before Samuel. Former Raiders rebel owner Al Davis, “Just Win Baby,” and Bears quarterback Sid Luckman graced the halls of Erasmus Hall.
Samuel is looking to once again be an NFL force. In 2019-2020, Samuel combined for 1,478 receiving, 330 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. A groin injury limited Samuel to just five games last season but never count out a guy from the World’s Greatest Borough.