Tipton Has Fought for a Round in the NFL

Greg Tipton probably won’t be selected in the first round of the National Football League draft in April. Or the last round, for that matter. But that doesn’t bother the former Newbury Park High quarterback.

Tipton is used to being a long shot.

“I’ve never been a quitter,” he said, “and I never will be a quitter. Just like any college player, my goal has been to get to the NFL. If I don’t get drafted, I’m confident that I will get a shot in camp to prove myself and make it that way.”

While playing for Hawaii in the pass-happy Western Athletic Conference, Tipton (6-3, 190) set 17 school passing records, including season marks of 2,645 passing yards and 211 completions this year for the 7-5 Rainbows. His one downfall this season was his touchdown-interception ratio. He tossed 11 scoring passes, while being intercepted 18 times. In case Tipton ever overlooked those statistics, the Hawaiian press was always there to remind him.

“It’s unfortunate that everything is put on the quarterback,” he said, “but that’s the nature of the position. I did take a lot of heat, but I maintained faith in myself and the Lord and stuck with it.”

That’s been no easy accomplishment.

After transferring from Santa Barbara City College and redshirting for a year at Hawaii, Tipton earned the starting job in 1985, just to tear his rotator cuff.

But, as always, he bounced back.

“I believe that it’s not what happens to you, but how you handle it.”