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5/12/2008-Football
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SALINE -- Former Michigan All-America tackle Jake Long started his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins with a bundle of money -- $30 million guaranteed.
Hundreds of other players selected two weeks ago in the NFL draft are also optimistic about the future with six-figure salaries now a reality.
While Long and others can just concentrate on football and not money, the same can't be said for Anthony Sherrell, who still dreams of playing in the NFL.
Sherrell, who led Orchard Lake St. Mary's to consecutive Division 4 state titles in 1999 and 2000, will try to make a name for himself in the Canadian Football League. He signed a three-year contract with the British Columbia Lions and will start training camp next month.
Sherrell, 24, knows the odds of him carrying the ball for an NFL team on Sundays are against him, but he's not about to give up his dream. He made the Lions practice team two years ago and led NFL Europe in rushing before suffering an injury during the third game of the season last year.
"This is a stepping-stone," Sherrell said after a recent workout at the Saline Recreation Center. "My first step was NFL Europe, and I didn't make it because breaking your leg in the third game of a 10-game season isn't the type of longevity they're (NFL) looking for.
"I'm happy to have the opportunity to play in the CFL. I signed a three-year contract with the third year being my option. My goal is to be at the best of my game and show I'm the complete player for a full game. We're talking running the ball, catching the ball and blocking.
"A lot of guys would love to be in my position. I'm still going after my dream. As long as my body holds out I'm going to use my talent and see where it takes me."
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Sherrell saved up money so he could concentrate on working out full time during May.
How? Sherrell loaded trucks at xpedx in Livonia starting in December, lifting boxes ranging from 30 to 120 pounds from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. for $19.50 an hour.
"It wasn't a hard job, just physical," Sherrell said. "About 10:30 or 11 your legs started getting tired and your arms sore. My hands had a new cut every day from paper cuts.
"I kind of struggled at first. It was more of a mental strain. I'd always get my (four-hour) workout in during the day, then take a nap before coming in. After a while I just got used to it. I would make it seem like another workout, make sure I lifted the correct way and used all my muscles."
Sherrell made $1,000 per game with Frankfort in NFL Europe. He made the Lions' practice squad in 2006 and was with the Lions in training camp last year, playing in one preseason game before being released.
Sherrell could earn six figures in the CFL if he hits his incentives.
Sherrell had a late start in football. His mother didn't want him to play after his older brother, Michael, broke his ankle while playing high school ball at Pontiac Northern.
Anthony finally persuaded his mother to let him play his sophomore year at St. Mary's. He was a backup running back that year, then rushed for 1,700 yards his junior season and 1,200 as a senior.
"My mom didn't want me to play so I just went and watched them practice every day my freshman year," Sherrell said. "Then a coach talked to her, and she let me go out.
"I loved it. I watched and learned a lot my sophomore year, then had a big junior season."
Sherrell went on to Eastern Michigan University, rushing for a school-record 1,531 yards during his junior year of 2004, second best in the Mid-American Conference to Michael "The Burner" Turner of Northern Illinois.
Sherrell averaged a league-high 148.5 yards per game during his record-breaking season. Turner, a physical, 5-foot-10, 237-pound back, signed a six-year, $34.5 million ($15 million guaranteed) free-agent contract with Atlanta in March after playing four years with San Diego.
Sherrell is in the best shape of his life at 5-10 and 197 pounds. He is waiting for his big break. Quarterback Warren Moon played in the CFL before a Hall of Fame career with Houston and Minnesota. Priest Holmes, another undrafted free agent, rushed for more than 1,000 yards for Baltimore in 1998 and later earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens. Holmes went on to an All-Pro career with Kansas City, leading the league in rushing (1,555 yards) in 2001.
Sherrell had a tryout with the Chiefs last season, but wasn't offered a contract. He said that was the last time he was timed in the 40, clocked at 4.4.
"Anthony's going to have success and open up some eyes," said Dr. D.S. Ping, Sherrell's agent. "He's very strong for his size and has the strength to run up the middle and quickness to go outside.
"He'll show just how well he can catch and block, too."
Sherrell feels fortunate to have Ping as his agent.
"It's hard to find an agent who is good-hearted and behind you if you've stumbled," Sherrell said. "He's been there with me through thick and thin. He's always supported me and encouraged me.
"I feel great. I feel stronger than I have the last couple of years. I'm really looking forward to playing (in the CFL)."
And, he'll be carrying the ball instead of boxes.
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