Kutztown U’s Jerry Kapp not about to rap Jets or ‘surreal’ NFL camp experience
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I can do this.
More than anything else, that’s what Jerry Kapp took away from his four-month stint playing with the New York Jets.
Undrafted free agents are rare on NFL rosters, especially those who played at the Division II level as Kapp did at Kutztown University.
He admits he was unsure if he was good enough to play football at the highest level until he got on the field with the best players on the planet.
“Just being able to line up against these guys, win some of the reps, just knowing that I can stack up against these guys is something that I proved to myself,” said the Boyertown grad, “and I’m happy I did. If I didn’t, I’d be here right now doubting if I can play in the league.”
Kapp was cut by the Jets late in camp, following their final preseason game against the New York Giants. He returned home to Boyertown.
His days now are spent working out and watching his phone, hoping to hear from an NFL team or his agent. His dream is still alive and it’s no fairy tale.
Kapp, 6-3 and 210, is confident that given another chance he’s got what it takes the play in the NFL.
“I honestly didn’t know (that),” he said of his mindset heading to the Jets’ rookie minicamp in May. “My nerves were high; I just wanted to make as many plays as I could when my number was called.
“I was confident, because everything happens for a reason. They weren’t calling me by mistake. That alone instilled a bit of confidence, being able to strap the helmet on and make plays the first day I was there. Just to get praised by some of the guys that have been there for a long time was big for my confidence.”
Kapp, a two-time All-PSCA receiver with the Golden Bears, was one of just two rookies signed out of that minicamp; he was the only one still with the team heading into their final preseason game. He performed well in the team’s OTA’s in June and was able to spend the summer catching passes from future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.
Kapp would’ve never imagined such a thing when he was playing quarterback for Boyertown as a junior in 2016.
“It was surreal,” he said. “Just sharing the same locker room as him, being in the same meetings as him, was pretty incredible. Taking the field with him, catching passes from him, it was something I’ll never forget and (something) I’ll be able to tell my kids someday.
“The first day in OTAs, I made a play on a corner route, came back (to the huddle) and gave him a high-five. (I thought:) ‘This is crazy: I was in the (Boyertown) YMCA two days ago.’ ”
Kapp was like a sponge around Rodgers. He scribbled everything the quarterback said in his notebook, studied it each night and earned a reputation as the first guy to arrive and the last to leave. He was often there before sunrise, ahead of his coaches.
“I thought everything I could control I went about it as best I could,” said the 24-year-old Kapp. “I worked as hard as I could. Trying to be first in everything. I’m proud of what I did there. I’m just happy about the experience and proud of everything I went through, and everything that I did.”
He’s a better player for it, no doubt.
“The stuff that I’ve learned from Aaron Rodgers and everybody was something that I take for the rest of my life, on and off the field,” he said. “(Rodgers) gave us pointers, route-running tips . . . (stressed) being concept-aware. It’s not about speed, it’s about ending up in the concept of the offense; just slow down your route and be in the landmark on time when the quarterback’s ready to throw the ball. That helped me a lot; it slowed the whole game down for me.”
Kapp made a career-high 47 catches for 916 yards and nine TDs last season at Kutztown. He led the Pennsylvania Conference in yards per catch (19.5) and finished third in program history in receiving yards (2,190) and fourth in touchdown catches (22).
The grad student was also named an Academic All-American for the first time and a PSAC Scholar Athlete for the fourth time.
He was one of just four PSAC players selected for the Tropical Bowl, where he impressed NFL scouts with a one-handed catch and was named Special Teams MVP.
Kapp made a name for himself during his time with the Jets in more ways than one.
He garnered national acclaim when his Eminem rap, featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” training camp series, went viral.
Rodgers and his Jets teammates gave him a standing ovation for his presentation, which brought down the house during the training camp rookie show. Marshall Mathers – who uses the stage name Eminem – even re-tweeted the video of Kapp’s rap, giving the receiver high marks.
“It blew up a lot bigger than I thought it would,” Kapp said. “One of the (HBO) producers came up to me and said that was the best that they had ever seen (on the series). They had to clear it (with Mathers) to be able to air it. That’s when I knew it was going to be something.”
Many, no doubt, were surprised to hear such a profanity-laced rap come from Kapp, who projects a clean-cut image and is known for being exceedingly polite and respectful. Those who follow him on social media know that he has deep faith and often praises God. He uses the hashtag: #TrustGodsPlan.
What many don’t know is Eminem’s “8-Mile” is one of Kapp’s favorite movies, one he’s been watching and rapping along with since he was a kid.
“I watched that (movie) with my Dad (when I was younger),” Kapp said. “I’ve always known the rap. I’m happy it was well-received.”
Before that episode of “Hard Knocks” aired he texted his grandparents so they wouldn’t be caught off guard.
“I apologized for the language that I used,” he said. “(I explained) those aren’t my words.”
Were they shocked?
“They thought it was awesome,” Kapp said.
This has been a tough week for Kapp. The NFL season kicked off Sunday and he was home watching it from his couch. It got worse Monday night when Rodgers’ debut with the Jets lasted all of our plays; it was learned today he’s out for the season.
Kapp has no regrets about his time with the Jets; he believes his time will come.
“A couple guys (from the Jets) reached out to me (after being released),” Kapp said. “I have nothing but respect for them. I’m excited to root for them this year, honestly.
“I’m excited for the guys; I’ve made a lot of great relationships throughout those five months and I’ll always be rooting for them, and I know they’ll be rooting for me.”
