McClendon Curtis is two seasons into a National Football League career that contains five games played and a third organization.
In other words, the former Central High School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout doesn’t need much tutoring on the highs and lows professional sports can provide. The 6-foot-7, 350-pounder is now a left guard with the Arizona Cardinals after having previously been with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks, and he is also an Ooltewah resident during this offseason as a first-time home owner.
“Things happen quick, and I try to treat every day like a professional,” Curtis said this past week. “If you’re a professional, you’re going to have a job. A lot of people give you an opportunity, and the nicest thing people say about me is that I’m a pro in the way I come into work every day. I definitely don’t take any opportunity for granted.
“God has blessed me with tremendous opportunities. If anybody had asked me if I knew I was going to the NFL, I would’ve said, ‘No.’ The other thing I have learned is to move light. Now that I have a home, I just keep some suitcases, my game system and my recovery boots with me. That’s it.”
The 25-year-old Curtis was an All-Southern Conference selection in each of his last three seasons with the Mocs in 2020-22. He went undrafted in 2023, but the Raiders didn’t take any linemen in the seven rounds that year and offered McClendon a $210,000 free agent contract.
Curtis began the 2023 season on the Las Vegas practice squad before being signed by Seattle, where he played in one game that year, four games last season and spent time on the practice squad there as well. After last season ended, he felt there would be more opportunities with Arizona, which has Chris Cook, the former UTC offensive lineman, tight ends/offensive tackles coach and recruiting coordinator, as its assistant offensive line coach.
“You can experience different cultures,” Curtis said. “Vegas introduced me to a lot of amazing vets, and there are some guys who I’ve gotten to play with again. Going to Seattle, I had some guys in the O-line room who I played with at the Senior Bowl and went to the combine with. In Arizona, there are guys who were at Vegas and at Seattle, so the connection is always there and the brotherhood stays the same.
“I had a good season in Seattle, but I wanted a better situation for me. I felt like Arizona was going to be pretty good, and having some familiarity out there with Coach Cook got me excited for it.”
Curtis, who was a recent guest of “Sport Talk” on WGOW’s 102.3 FM, will again be conducting his “Big Curt’s Football Camp” at Central High on the morning of Saturday, July 12. Applying for the free-of-charge camp can be done through McClendonCurtis.com.
This year’s camp will be co-ed and will include some flag football coaches, and Curtis insists he will again be easy to spot.
“When you see me at that camp, I’m right there with those kids jumping for the ball,” he said.
Curtis is hoping his third NFL season will be his best yet. Starting for the Cardinals would obviously be the desired scenario, but he knows that even being on the practice squad requires your best.
“Guys respect you when you’re on the practice squad,” Curtis said. “There were times I was blocking Leonard Williams. I’m a little taller than he is, but we’ve about got the same arm length, and when I was at guard, he would say, ‘Bro, why are your arms so long?’ Getting compliments from guys like that gives you confidence. I’ve worked against Jarran Reed, and my first week with the Raiders, Maxx Crosby was like, ‘Give me some work. Help me get better.’ Getting people prepared is a job you’ve got to take seriously.
“As an undrafted guy, I have no choice but to bring it every day. I can easily be let go. I’m not someone who the team is tied into with millions of dollars. I have to be on my game every day.”
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.