RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Despite urging from family members to seek a job in the real word, Troymaine Pope continued to hold out hope for an NFL opportunity.
A tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs in May didn't yield a contract offer. Instead, the former Jacksonville State running back returned home to Anniston, Alabama, far from the practice fields of an NFL team. Finally, he gave in and interviewed to work at a car factory.
Then his phone rang.
With injuries mounting early in training camp, the Seattle Seahawks needed help at running back.