Adam Berry and his twin brother Andrew were multi-sport standouts at Bel Air High School from 2001-2005. Both played football for Ivy League schools. Adam was a wide receiver and team captain for Princeton, while Andrew was a defensive back for Harvard.
After college Andrew pursued a football administration position, ultimately becoming the youngest General Manager in NFL history at the time, signing with the Cleveland Browns in 2020.
After earning a degree in Economics from Princeton, Adam took his talents to Wall Street. 14 years later, Adam was hired as position of Assistant Director of Football Operations and Strategy for the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year, prior to winning the Super Bowl he was promoted to Director of Football Operations.
Harford Lifestyle Sports: Were you and your brother on all the same youth teams growing up? What sports did you play before high school and for which Parks and Rec council did you play?
Adam Berry: Yes we were… we played football, basketball, and baseball. We played for Bel Air and Emmorton Rec most of our youth sports leagues.
HLS: I watched you and Andrew tear it up on the football field…What other sports did you and Andrew play at Bel Air High School?
AB: Andrew played football and baseball. I played football and baseball until my senior year when I also ran track.
HLS: I played football at BA in the 70s…my Dad and his buddies played in the late 50s for legendary coach, Al Cesky. I grew up hearing about how Bobcat Football ruled the 50s, 60s and most of the 70s. Did Coach Riley make sure that you and your teammates were aware of BA’s rich football history? Did you feel any sense of pressure to live up to that history?
AB: Given the football field and stadium name, you always had the gravity of the school’s history. I’d say what was more a driver at that time was that it had been a little bit since our most recent playoff team and several coaches who played prominent roles on that team (coaches Tony Belcastro and Dickie Barwick) were on that team. Players and coaches knew we wanted to return to and eventually reach those heights.
HLS: You and Andrew decided to go to Ivy League schools. I know that BAHS offers AP courses, but going from Bel Air High School to the Ivy League seems like it had to be quite an adjustment in the classroom and then the demands of playing D1….jeez. Can you describe your freshman year on and off the field? Did you and Andrew consider attending the same college?
AB: The Ivy League was demanding but I felt Bel Air High School, the curriculum, teachers, and extra-curricular opportunities prepared me well for Princeton. You always had the option of a full course load and the range (and volume) of AP courses put me in a good spot to make sure I could structure my day to keep up with the demands of school and football. There were so many gifted peers that you also had the ability to interact with and learn from which enrichened the experience even if it increased the level of competition. On the field was a little more difficult because you learn a new system and have some physical development to accomplish. So you go from being a really good player in high school to having to re-establish yourself which was difficult when you aren’t getting much playing time. But it was a valuable part of the process. Andrew and I ideally wanted to go to separate schools to forge our own identities so we ran our college processes as independently as we could. Had we both chosen the same school we would not have run from it.
HLS: I’ve proudly told many people about how you and your brother are making names for yourself in the NFL. You guys are local heroes at BAHS…and then the Eagles win the big one. Did you ever think you’d have such a great ride so soon after leaving Wall St?
AB: It has been an awesome transition to the Eagles. It’s great getting back into football and engaging it from a different perspective. I don’t think I could have drawn up a better ride.
