From Erie to the Pros: Levonne Rowan’s Journey from Mercyhurst Prep to Football’s Biggest Stage

Long before Levonne Rowan reached the professional football ranks, Erie already knew there was something special about him.A standout at Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Rowan established himself as one of Pennsylvania’s premier defensive backs, earning three All-State selections and finishing his high-school career with an incredible 21 interceptions. And football wasn’t his only arena—his speed made him a dominant track athlete as well, capturing four Pennsylvania state championships in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.That talent earned Rowan a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, where he became a key member of the Badgers’ secondary and special teams before pursuing his professional football dream with organizations including the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, along with stops in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.In 2026, his accomplishments came full circle when Rowan was inducted into the Erie Metro Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.On this episode of Etcetera with the Woodards, Levonne Rowan reflects on the journey—from Mercyhurst Prep to Big Ten football, the professional ranks and ultimately the Hall of Fame.It’s a conversation about talent, discipline, opportunity, perseverance and what it means to carry Erie with you when your dreams take you far beyond home.Etcetera with the Woodards presents: “From Erie to the Pros: Levonne Rowan’s Journey from Mercyhurst Prep to Football’s Biggest Stage.”