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In 2006, Perry suffered a serious concussion during a preseason game. Upon his return, the Eagles tried unsuccessfully to convert Perry to a cornerback on defense. He was cut from the team and later re-signed to the practice squad.
Last January — when the Eagles let him go for good — Perry’s NFL dream was put on hold.
So, like any good running back whose path is sealed off, Bruce Perry took off on another route.
Shortly after his release by the Eagles, the 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back got a call from the Canadian Football League and an offer to play for the Montreal Alouettes.
Almost immediately, the Perry family — Bruce, his wife Latasha and daughter Kaylah — were off to Canada.
"I really loved it there," said Perry. "It’s not the same (as the NFL) because it was a lot more laid back. But the type of players is the same, and the fans are just as passionate as they are here."
Perry found other NFL veterans with Montreal. Former Detroit Lions linebacker Avon Cobourne plays for the Alouettes, as do running backs Dahrran Diedrick, who formerly played with the Washington Redskins, and ex-Tennessee Titan Jarrett Payton and former Chicago Bears defensive end Alain Kashama.
"A lot of players there are experienced in the NFL," Perry said. "It’s a different game, though."
Perry didn’t get a chance to sample it for long. Almost as if on cue, the inevitable happened — this time a torn ACL.
"I was in Montreal for about two months," he said. "Everything was going really well. Then I tore (the ligament) in July during a practice."
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Perry has moved back to Maryland, where he underwent surgery about six weeks ago and has started physical rehabilitation.
"I’m walking regular again now," Perry said during last week’s phone interview. "I’m working to get my muscles back in play and trying to get back to one-hundred percent."
The entire recovery process is expected to take seven to eight months.
"I should be running the way I used to by February," said Perry. "I plan to get healthy and do what I can. Then go out there and play like I’m an all-star and see what happens."
Long before his career took him to the NFL, Perry got his start on Bustleton Avenue. The commanding running back helped Washington High School win the Public League title during his senior year, when he amassed 1,041 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.
"In high school, football is not business," said Perry. "It’s the purest form of football you can get. There’s not as much pressure and you can relax and enjoy the game."
Perry’s skills were later showcased at the University of Maryland, where he rushed for 2,424 career yards, fourth all-time in school history. In 2001, when he ran for 1,294 yards, Perry was named the Atlantic Coast Conference offensive player of the year.
These days Perry is making the best of his current situation. He’s taking criminology classes at the University of Maryland and helping to coach the Terrapins.
"It’s great to be back at Maryland," he said. "And I am getting coaching experience here, so when the time comes and my playing days are over, I’ll be ready to coach."
It’s been a long, rough road since his glory days on the field for Washington High, but Bruce Perry has no regrets.
"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "And I still love the game. Everything I’ve been through has given me more motivation. I feel like I have something to prove." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com