Post by gatek99 on Oct 9, 2013 20:37:32 GMT -5
www.jamestownsun.com/event/article/id/192401/
A.J. Downs has been playing football most of his life for fun.
Now he’s getting the chance to do it for a job.
The All-American defensive back from Jamestown College participated in a regional combine for the National Spring Football League late last month.
Not surprisingly, Downs made an impact and was invited to try out for three teams, and possibly a fourth.
There’s a slight complication, though.
Downs is serving as an assistant coach on the Jimmie football team this fall and he’s got one semester left in the classroom to graduate.
Additionally, the tryout camps are the weekend of the Jimmies’ first game. Still, Downs is excited about the possibilities.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be noticed and have people take a look at me,” said Downs, who is from Los Angeles. “However it works out I definitely want to make the most of it.”
The three teams to show immediate interest in Downs were the San Antonio Defenders, Texas HeatSeekers and the Oklahoma Wolves. The Rhode Island Navigators also put out feelers. The Jimmies open the season Aug. 23 in Miles City, Mont., against Rocky Mountain College, so Downs may face a quandary.
“I’m really excited about the season. I’m debating at the moment what to do,” Downs said. “I’ll have to pick potentially and it’s a difficult decision.”
Downs, who had 105 tackles and three interceptions in two seasons for the Jimmies, wants to coach. He’s the son of a coach and has already done a lot of youth coaching.
“I enjoy it. I’m really excited to get started with our players here,” he said.
Assuming he gets on a team, he would not face the conflict he does now.
The NSFL plays its games, obviously, in the spring. The NSFL fashions itself as a developmental league, potentially supplying players to the big leagues of pro football.
Downs had been in frequent contact during the summer with a number of scouts, even one in Germany.
“I’ve spent the summer talking to a lot of teams and making contacts,” he said. “I was happy this worked out.”
Like most minor leagues the pay is not great. The NSFL pays about $500 per week with a $100 winning bonus. Players are also paid between $200-$300 a week for training camps, so the ‘love of the game’ cliché certainly applies.
“At the pro level it’s no longer fun,” Downs joked. “More than anything it’s just getting an opportunity to show what I can do. That’s all you can really ask for.”
Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com
Now he’s getting the chance to do it for a job.
The All-American defensive back from Jamestown College participated in a regional combine for the National Spring Football League late last month.
Not surprisingly, Downs made an impact and was invited to try out for three teams, and possibly a fourth.
There’s a slight complication, though.
Downs is serving as an assistant coach on the Jimmie football team this fall and he’s got one semester left in the classroom to graduate.
Additionally, the tryout camps are the weekend of the Jimmies’ first game. Still, Downs is excited about the possibilities.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be noticed and have people take a look at me,” said Downs, who is from Los Angeles. “However it works out I definitely want to make the most of it.”
The three teams to show immediate interest in Downs were the San Antonio Defenders, Texas HeatSeekers and the Oklahoma Wolves. The Rhode Island Navigators also put out feelers. The Jimmies open the season Aug. 23 in Miles City, Mont., against Rocky Mountain College, so Downs may face a quandary.
“I’m really excited about the season. I’m debating at the moment what to do,” Downs said. “I’ll have to pick potentially and it’s a difficult decision.”
Downs, who had 105 tackles and three interceptions in two seasons for the Jimmies, wants to coach. He’s the son of a coach and has already done a lot of youth coaching.
“I enjoy it. I’m really excited to get started with our players here,” he said.
Assuming he gets on a team, he would not face the conflict he does now.
The NSFL plays its games, obviously, in the spring. The NSFL fashions itself as a developmental league, potentially supplying players to the big leagues of pro football.
Downs had been in frequent contact during the summer with a number of scouts, even one in Germany.
“I’ve spent the summer talking to a lot of teams and making contacts,” he said. “I was happy this worked out.”
Like most minor leagues the pay is not great. The NSFL pays about $500 per week with a $100 winning bonus. Players are also paid between $200-$300 a week for training camps, so the ‘love of the game’ cliché certainly applies.
“At the pro level it’s no longer fun,” Downs joked. “More than anything it’s just getting an opportunity to show what I can do. That’s all you can really ask for.”
Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com