Cecil Shorts is one of the NFL's only players who did not receive a full scholarship to play college football.

Shorts has had a breakout season at wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Shorts went to Mount Union (Ohio) College, which is a Division III school and doesn't give athletic scholarships.

"When I tell guys about my student loans,'' Shorts said Friday, "they go, 'Dang! You didn't get a full ride?' They're shocked."

Shorts had to pay approximately $125,000 in tuition and fees, borrowing about half while also doing work-study jobs.

Shorts is earning $493,000 this season and will space out the payoff of his loan.

"It was good for me because I've had to work for everything I've ever gotten,'' Shorts said. "When I didn't get a Division I offer, I thought I let my family down. But it just motivated me to work harder than everyone else to get farther.''