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BEHIND THE SHIELD: JORDAN MORRIS' JOURNEY INTO FATHERHOOD

Presented by Regence BlueShield

By Seattle Sounders FC

June 28^th, 2024

In more ways than one, Jordan Morris has grown up with the Seattle Sounders.

BEHIND THE SHIELD: JORDAN MORRIS' JOURNEY INTO FATHERHOOD

Whether it be his fandom for the club at a young age, his dad’s longtime role as the team doctor, or his 9-year-career with the Rave Green thus far, some of Morris’ most formative experiences are tied to the Sounders.

“I remember my dad taking me out to training and then meeting the players when the team was in the USL,” said Morris. “I recall meeting Sébastien Le Toux, and just thinking about how cool that was for me as a kid knowing that someday I wanted to be a professional athlete, be a professional soccer player, be on the other side of things, and be playing for the Sounders.”

He went from a young fan to a star in the Academy, and from a promising prospect to one of the most successful players in club history. Now, Morris aspires to craft a similar experience for his son, Theo, as he continues his professional soccer journey and starts his own family with his wife, Eliza, in their hometown of Seattle.

“It’s full circle coming around bringing my kid on the field after the game and hopefully when he gets older, bringing him into the locker room, meeting the players and him having those same dreams and ambitions,” said Morris. “It's obviously such an important part of my life, the Sounders, and I'm grateful for the organization and everything it has provided for myself and my family.”

Morris has made a name for himself since his arrival to the club in 2016. Not only did he win MLS Rookie of the Year his first season at the Sounders, but he went on to support the team to its first MLS Cup title that same year. Additionally, he led the team to its second MLS Cup championship victory in 2019, was an MLS MVP Finalist in 2020, and helped the team make history as the first MLS club to win Concacaf Champions League in 2022.

The many milestones Morris has achieved throughout his nine years with the club is a testament to his talent and work ethic. But, it is the ongoing support from Eliza that has ultimately allowed him to reach these great heights.

Eliza’s support was especially vital when Morris tore his ACL in 2021, just four games after beginning his loan stint with EFL Championship side Swansea City.

“I couldn't have gotten through that second knee injury without Eliza,” said Morris.

Her selflessness and compassion have been evident as the couple navigates their first year as new parents to Theo.

“What I've seen since she's become a mom is amazing,” said Morris. “Theo and I are so incredibly lucky to have her.”

And with the team dynamic the two display in their relationship, their “bond has become even stronger,” according to Morris.

“I think we've always been that team that supports each other but that's only grown with having Theo,” he said. “It's just such a rewarding experience to be able to do this together.”

In part of becoming a father and caregiver to Theo, Morris understands the significance of taking care of himself and managing his Type 1 Diabetes as well.

“For me and for other people living with Type 1, it's obviously an everyday thing and whether it's sports or just going about my daily life or being a dad, having your blood sugar in the right spot is going to give you the best opportunity to be the best you can be,” said Morris. “And so, it's so important to take care of yourself, take care of your health with Type 1, and manage your blood sugar because it really sets you up for success in the areas of your life that you want to focus on.”

And while he has to “put some things in the backseat a little bit to be a parent,” Morris remains adamant on continuing to advocate for those who face the same struggles that come with having the autoimmune condition through his Jordan Morris Foundation.

“That's still such an important part of life,” he said. “I feel like I was given Type 1 for a reason which is to hopefully be an inspiration and support to these kids that are going through what I went through.”

As Morris tries to balance his career and philanthropy efforts with his new chapter of fatherhood, he hopes to make each Sounders match a memorable one for his son just as his dad did for him when he was growing up.

“Some of those memories are the best times I had with [my dad] and really pushed me to want to become a professional soccer player and play for the Sounders someday,” said Morris. “I hope that whatever Theo wants to do in his life, that these memories push him towards that, but I think for me, I just hope he has fun in whatever he does and looks back on those memories fondly like I do with my dad.”

Morris recognizes the importance soccer has had on his life and the expectation to perform at a high level every match. But, becoming “the best dad [he] can be” has become the main priority for the Mercer Island native as he looks to raise Theo “to be a good person.”

“What I want to teach Theo, the most important thing in life is to be kind, be supportive and just be a humble person and a good human being,” he said. “And I think if I learned that from my dad, and if I can pass that along to Theo, I'll be very, very happy.”

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