Marcus Morris’ 27 Tattoos & Their Meanings

Marcus Thomas Morris Sr. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Marcus played his college basketball at Kansas before being drafted 14th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2011 NBA draft. Marcus and Markieff are two twin brothers who have identical tattoos. People believe them to be similar in all kinds, however, we have researched enough to bring to you the difference, that they differ not only in their inks but also their personality. Let us see what tattoos he has and the meanings they hold for him.

Marcus Morris

“We get nothing [tattooed] that doesn’t mean something to us,” Marcus said about their ink. “I see a lot of guys around the league get money signs tattooed on them. Money means nothing to us. If we can stay together, that means more than anything. Our family means more than anything. For us, it’s God, family and basketball.”

When asked about the similarity of their choices, and tattoo,

“We were together on everything,” Markieff said about growing up with Marcus. “We had the same taste in video games, clothes, shoes, everything.”

1. Philadelphia Skyline Tattoo

Markieff City Tattoo

Tattoo: On Marcus’ right bicep we can see the tattoo of the Philadelphia skyline along with the area’s city code 215 inked under the buildings.

Meaning: Marcus and Markieff were born and brought up on Erie Avenue in North Philadelphia. Their house caught fire and they had to shift to their grandmother’s house, as Angel (their mother) was a single mother. This tattoo is their dedication to their childhood home city. The tattoo shows the buildings along with the area code inked.

“We were in [high] school one day and I got a call from our neighbor,” Marcus Morris said with a somber tone. “They said our house was on fire. When we got there everything was gone – clothes, trophies. All we had was what we had on our

2. Stomach Tattoos

Marcus Stomach Tattoo

Tattoo: Marcus’ stomach is tattooed with various tiny tattoos just like his brother, Markieff. Towards the right is the word inked in red that says, ‘AFFILIATED’. Just above is a big shaded hand inked. Towards the upper right there is a tattoo similar to his twin brother’s arm tattoo that says, ‘JEROME’. Towards his lower abdomen is the symbol of overlapping M’s, ‘PC’, and ‘KU’.

Meaning: Overlapping M’s represents the names of Marcus and his twin brother, Markieff Morris. ‘JEROME’ stands for sacred. It also means a man who is known how to treat his lady well. KU denotes, ‘The Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball program, for which Marcus used to play when he studied in the University of Kansas , whereas PC stands for ‘Phoenix Suns’ for whom he played from (2013–2015).

3. ‘Death is a Promise’ Tattoo

Marcus Death is a Promise

Tattoo: On his left bicep, he wears an identical tattoo just like his brother, Markieff. The tattoo contains the quote, ‘Death is a Promise’. This relates to the one inked on his right shoulder which says, Life is a Gift’. To signify that though, Life is a Gift but Death is a promise which each one of us is promised by, by God.

4. ‘Can I Live’ Tattoo

Marcus CAN I LIVE Tattoo

Tattoo: On the middle of his chest lies a phrase that can be read as, ‘Can I Live’

5. ‘Angel’ Tattoo

Marcus Angel Tattoo

Tattoo: On the left side of his collar bone there is an angel inked. This is another tattoo that we can see only on Marcus’ body and not on Markieff’s body.

Meaning: Angels are the symbol of good luck and are considered as the messengers of God.

6. ‘Mother and Grandmother’s Name’ Tattoo

Marcus Angel and Shirley Tattoo

Tattoo: Marcus has got his mother and his grandmother’s name tattooed on his right and left shoulder, respectively. The tattoo on the right shoulder is read as, ‘Angel’ which is the name that Marcus and Markieff gave to their mother (Thomasine Morris), whereas the one on his left shoulder is read as, ‘Shirley’ (Grandmother’s Name).

To honor their mothers’ teachings, Marcus and Markieff once revealed that they are avid volunteers with the Valley-based non-profit Helping Hands for Single Moms. They provide pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinners every year to over 25 families every year.

7. ‘Only the Strong Survive’ Tattoo

Marcus Only the Strong Survive

Tattoo: Marcus and Markieff but have an identical tattoo across their necklines that says, ‘Only the Strong Survive’.

Meaning: Angel, Marcus’ mother, always wanted her sons to be strong and stand by each other’s side and compete against the world as one rather than competing with each other. This is what both of them have been preaching since their childhood and hence got the tattoo too, to remind themselves that they have to be strong on the field as well off the field in their lives.

8. ‘Grandmother’s Portrait’ Tattoo

Marcus Grandmother Tattoo

Tattoo: His right forearm is tattooed with his grandmother, ‘Shirley’s’ portrait. There are words inked along with the portrait. Above the portrait we can see the lines, ‘Future doesn’t define you. Below the portrait are the words, ‘Show Stopper’.

Meaning: This tattoo is his tribute to his grandmother, Shirley. Marcus has many times talked about how important his mother and his grandmother have been for him and his brother. In the honor of this love, both of them have the same tattoo on their arms dedicated to their grandmother who always supported them.

9. ‘grandmother’ Tattoo

Marcus Grandma Tattoo

Towards the left side of his stomach near the ribcage, there is a tattoo that says, ‘grandma’ written inside the ribbon banner.

Meaning: The ribbon tattooed here is the symbol of AIDS. It is actually the red ribbon which denotes the solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS. Maybe his grandmother suffered from Aids. Marcus and Markieff both have this tattoo on the same location.

10. ‘Prayer’ Tattoo

Marcus Prayer Tattoo

Tattoo: On the left side of his stomach, Marcus carries a similar tattoo just like his brother, the tattoo of the prayer, ‘ Our Father’.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

11. Writing Tattoo

Marcus Inner Arm Tattoo

12. Chinese Letters

Marcus Morris Chinese Letters Tattoo

This is another identical tattoo that Markieff and Marcus got inked together.

Tattoo: There are Chinese letter tattoo on Marcus’ shoulders. The one on the right shoulder stands for ‘Humble’ whereas, one on the left, it denotes, ‘Loyalty’.

13. TMC Victory Flag Tattoo

Marcus TMC Tattoo

14. ‘TWIN BROTHERS’ Tattoo

Marcus TWIN Brothers Tattoo

Tattoo: Marcus’ right upper arm is covered with the murals of he and his brother Markieff. Their team number along with their names are also tattooed. Just above and under the tattoo, we find the words, ‘TWIN TOWERS’ inked, respectively.

Meaning: This is another tattoo shared by both the brothers. They have dedicated this ink to their strong bond and love. Their mother always taught them to be together with each other in all the problems, and this is what they believe in. Both of them love Basketball and this tattoo is in honor of their love for each other.

15. ‘MORRIS’ Tattoo

Marcus MORRIS Tattoo

Tattoo: Just like his twin brother, Marcus also wears the tattoo of his surname, Morris, inked as ‘MORRIS’ on the inner side of his right bicep.

16. ‘A gift from God’ Tattoo

Marcus A Gift From God

Tattoo: On Marcus’ left arm there is a pair of praying hands tattooed. The praying hands are seen lifting the Basketball towards the heavens, surrounded with clouds on all sides. There are words tattooed, ‘A Gift From God’ surrounding the praying hands.

Meaning: This tattoo was Marcus and Markieff’s decision as to the dedication to their professional sport, i.e Basketball. He and Markieff got identical tattoos to seek God’s continuous blessings upon them when they are on the field and off the field. The withered hands are used to symbolize their hard work.

17. Back Tattoo

Marcus Back Tattoo

18. ‘Smile Now Cry Later’ Tattoo

Marcus Happy and Sad Masks Tattoo

Tattoo: On the inner side of his left bicep, Marcus has got the tattoo of the Smile Now Cry Later masks inked.

Meaning: These masks are the symbol of a continuous reminder that we should focus more on living the present and not the future consequences.

19. Mother’s Portrait

Marcus Mother Portrait Tattoo

Just like Markieff’s tattoo, Marcus also has the same tattoo of his mother’s portrait inked. The tattoo includes the portrait of her followed by her birth and death date inked in yellow on the top of her face. The best part are the angel wings that are tattooed on the back of his mothers’ shoulders To symbolize and give meaning to the name, ‘Angel’ which Marcus and Markieff used to address her.

20. Overlapping M’s Tattoo

Markieff M Logo Tattoo

Tattoo: On his right bicep there is a logo tattooed which shows us two overlapping M’s.

Meaning: The overlapping M’s symbolizes his own name, ‘Marcus Morris’ and his twin brothers’, i.e. ‘Markieff Morris’.

21. ‘Bible Verse 1 Peter 3:14.’ Tattoo

Marcus Chest Tattoo

Tattoo: On his left pec there is a verse from bible tattooed. It has been taken from 1 Peter 3:14. It says, ‘But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’.

Meaning: Meaning to say that we should not be fearful of other people’s threats and actions because even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it.

22. F.O.E Tattoo

Marcus F.O.E Tat

Tattoo: Just like his brother, Marcus also is very attached to his family and believes in giving preference to his family above all. To honor his love for his family he has got the same tattoo just like Markieff, which ays, ‘F.O.E’ i.e. Family Over Everything.

23. ‘F.O.E’ on Neck Tattoo

Marcus F.O.E Tattoo

Tattoo: Just the F.O.E tattoo on his left arm, Marcus has another similar tattoo inked in red on the center of his collarbone. Markieff and Marcus have a similar tattoo, however, it looked closer, Marcus’ tattoo has a different font style as compared to that of Markieff’s.

24. Tattoo on Hand

Marcus Hand Tattoo

There is a very light shaded letter ‘N’ inked near index finger of the right hand.

25. Chest Tattoo

Marcus Right Pec Tattoo

26. Mother and Grandmother’s Name Tattoo

Marcus Mother and Grandmother Names

Tattoo: Just like his twin brother, Marcus has also got similar tattoos representing his mother (Angel Morris) and grandmother’s name (Sherlin Morris) on his left and right wrist, respectively.

27. Baby’s Portrait

Markieff Daughter Portrait Tattoo

Tattoo: On Marcus’ left forearm there is the portrait of a baby girl.

Meaning: The baby girl in the tattoo is his twin brother, Markieff’s daughter, Jyzelle’s portrait, who was born in September 2017.

28. Family Tree

Markieff Family Tree Tattoo

Just like his brother, Marcus also has a family tree inked on his right forearm. The tattoo also carries the words, ‘F.O.E’. This dedication in the form of tattoo to his family shows us that Marcus, just like Markieff, also prefers his family above everything else in life.

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