Alumni Spotlight: Chris "Rhino" Elmore '22
12/21/2025 7:18:00 PM | Block S Club
Christopher Elmore '22
Football
If you google the words "selfless", you'll probably see a picture of Chris Elmore right there. Chris "Rhino" Elmore is everything you'd want in a player – adaptability, selflessness, and drive. Chris' adaptability was put to the test many times in his football career at Syracuse. During his 2020 football season at Syracuse, his team suffered from countless injuries, leaving the team weakened in various positions. What seems like a nightmare season to have as coach soon came with a bright spot.
That bright spot was Chris. Chris selflessly gave up his fullback slot and played offensive guard for the first nine games. Something he hadn't done since middle school. Back in his hometown of Chicago, Chris grew up playing fullback and defensive tackle in high school, but at Syracuse his role was more than multiplied. As his team suffered from untimely injuries, Chris stepped up. In that season he played defensive tackle, offensive tackle, fullback, tight end, and kick returner. Imagine training most of your life to master your position and then being thrown into a whole new role. Most college athletes would shy away from taking on all those different positions and responsibilities, but not Chris. He accepted it.
"Chris Elmore is so unselfish. We would not have been able to finish the season without him. I can't thank him enough for the unselfish act he did in keeping us afloat and keeping us running through these games," said former Syracuse Football Coach Dino Babers. Not only is he the type of player that coaches love, but he was well-loved by his Syracuse teammates as well.
"Chris Elmore is an amazing football player. Since I got here, I watched him step into roles that not a lot of guys could step into. The guy can do anything. If every quarterback goes down, guess who's going to be playing quarterback — Rhino. He's a heckuva player," said Chris's Syracuse teammate, Taj Harris.
Chris' adaptability and selflessness is what lead him to go on to play professionally in the AFL with the Grand Rapids Rampage. But aside from his playing career, his biggest impact has been inspiring his community back in Chicago.
Chris competed at the highest level in collegiate athletics and then continued to play professionally, but he didn't just do it for himself. He did it for those around him. He wanted to be a positive representation of what it looks like to make it out of the Southside of Chicago, and he did that and more.
Chris was and still is a role model for many, not just for the community of Chicago, but for men everywhere of all ages. Chris' adaptability, selflessness, and drive can translate to any career or sport. Whether you are putting on pads, shooting hoops, or working in the corporate world, Chris' character is something that everyone can learn from.
Today, Chris is a football coach at Morgan Park High School where he helped his team win the 2025 Great American Rivalry Series. Chris now spends his time pouring back into young men who have the same dream he had as a kid – to play football at the highest level.
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Stay connected with Chris on Instagram: @j5_elmore
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Football
If you google the words "selfless", you'll probably see a picture of Chris Elmore right there. Chris "Rhino" Elmore is everything you'd want in a player – adaptability, selflessness, and drive. Chris' adaptability was put to the test many times in his football career at Syracuse. During his 2020 football season at Syracuse, his team suffered from countless injuries, leaving the team weakened in various positions. What seems like a nightmare season to have as coach soon came with a bright spot.
That bright spot was Chris. Chris selflessly gave up his fullback slot and played offensive guard for the first nine games. Something he hadn't done since middle school. Back in his hometown of Chicago, Chris grew up playing fullback and defensive tackle in high school, but at Syracuse his role was more than multiplied. As his team suffered from untimely injuries, Chris stepped up. In that season he played defensive tackle, offensive tackle, fullback, tight end, and kick returner. Imagine training most of your life to master your position and then being thrown into a whole new role. Most college athletes would shy away from taking on all those different positions and responsibilities, but not Chris. He accepted it.
"Chris Elmore is so unselfish. We would not have been able to finish the season without him. I can't thank him enough for the unselfish act he did in keeping us afloat and keeping us running through these games," said former Syracuse Football Coach Dino Babers. Not only is he the type of player that coaches love, but he was well-loved by his Syracuse teammates as well.
"Chris Elmore is an amazing football player. Since I got here, I watched him step into roles that not a lot of guys could step into. The guy can do anything. If every quarterback goes down, guess who's going to be playing quarterback — Rhino. He's a heckuva player," said Chris's Syracuse teammate, Taj Harris.
Chris' adaptability and selflessness is what lead him to go on to play professionally in the AFL with the Grand Rapids Rampage. But aside from his playing career, his biggest impact has been inspiring his community back in Chicago.
Chris competed at the highest level in collegiate athletics and then continued to play professionally, but he didn't just do it for himself. He did it for those around him. He wanted to be a positive representation of what it looks like to make it out of the Southside of Chicago, and he did that and more.
Chris was and still is a role model for many, not just for the community of Chicago, but for men everywhere of all ages. Chris' adaptability, selflessness, and drive can translate to any career or sport. Whether you are putting on pads, shooting hoops, or working in the corporate world, Chris' character is something that everyone can learn from.
Today, Chris is a football coach at Morgan Park High School where he helped his team win the 2025 Great American Rivalry Series. Chris now spends his time pouring back into young men who have the same dream he had as a kid – to play football at the highest level.
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Stay connected with Chris on Instagram: @j5_elmore
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