Are you a die-hard football fan?

Do you enjoy watching a supremely talented football player making plays all over the field?

If the answer is yes to both those questions, then go watch a football game at Cardinal Mooney High School located in Youngstown, Ohio this fall. While watching the game, please observe the play of the guy wearing the maroon and white No. 9 jersey. He is the 6-2, 225-pound fullback/linebacker you will likely see dominating all over the field. This great player is 17-year-old Michael Vincent Zordich (click here to see highlights), who is being heavily recruited by notable college football powers LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan and Iowa among others. Does that name sounds familiar? He is the son of former strong safety standout Michael Zordich who starred from 1994-98 in Philadelphia.

The younger Zordich who always loved football was just living a boyhood dream watching his father play.

"Being allowed into the locker room after a win and just hanging out with guys like Troy Vincent and (former Eagles linebacker) William Thomas, just playing video games with them was awesome," recalled Zordich.

Strong safety Michael Zordich

His father starred in college at Penn State and had playing stints with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals before signing a free agent contract with the Eagles before the 1994 season began. Zordich was tired of losing, he had been through five losing seasons in Arizona. Philadelphia turned out to be a perfect fit. It was, as Zordich called it, a "football town." Zordich already had relationships with then-head coach Rich Kotite and then-defensive coordinator Bud Carson from his time in New York.

Number 36 was a welcomed addition to the Birds' defensive unit in 1994. He led the team in tackles (130) and nabbed four interceptions which ranked second on the team that year. However, the team finished 7-9. The Rich Kotite era was over in Philadelphia. Zordich got his wish to play for a winner in 1995 under new head coach Ray Rhodes. The Eagles finished 10-6 and defeated the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card round.

"We did pretty well because Ray liked having a lot of veterans on the squad," said Zordich. "We were a veteran team with guys like (left linebacker) Bill Romanowski, (middle linebacker) Kurt Gouveia, and (guard) Guy McIntyre. Overall, we had veteran players who Ray related to very well."

The good times did not last long for the Eagles. Rhodes was the NFL's coach of the year in 1995, but he would only lead the Eagles to the playoffs one more time the following season. Zordich said that Rhodes' struggles were due to the influx of younger players.

"I think the younger guys had a tough time relating to him," said Zordich.

One young player didn't have trouble making the smooth transition into the NFL. In 1996, Brian Dawkins made a quick impression on Zordich, who started alongside the future Hall of Fame free safety through 1998.

"Even when he came in as a rookie Brian Dawkins was bound for greatness! He knew what he needed to do and you can see the desire in his eyes to be the very best," said Zordich. "But he is more than the ?No. 20' everyone sees playing on Sunday. He is a great person and family man. He deserves everything he gets, because he is a tremendous individual and a dominant football player," stated Zordich about the six-time Pro Bowl honoree.

Zordich, now 43, has transitioned from the playing field to the coaching ranks as he is the defensive backs coach on his son's team. Last season, the Cardinals went 14-0 and captured the Division IV Ohio State Championship. In the state title game, Coach Zordich proudly watched his son have a direct impact on the victory. On offense, young Michael rushed for 32 yards and scored two touchdowns. On defense, he registered 11 tackles and forced two fumbles to help clinch the victory. The younger Zordich is projected to play linebacker at the collegiate level. Zordich may have the chance to follow in his father's footsteps, but isn't banking on playing on Sundays.

"It will truly be an honor playing football at the highest collegiate level," said Zordich. "But I'm going to get a chance to receive a degree, and pursue a professional career that is going to make me happy. My parents have always stressed the importance of education, and taking care of your school work first before all other activities."

The elder Zordich owns a utility contract company and lives in Canfield, Ohio with his wife Cynthia and their three children: Michael (17), Alex (15) and daughter Aidan (13). Cynthia, a portrait photographer, created the book titled When the Clock Runs Out: 20 NFL Greats Share Their Stories of Hardship and Triumph. This book with stories spun by Bill Lyon and photography that details the journey of 20 talented NFL players that share their private, inspiring stories of football, retirement and the adjustment to life after gridiron glory.