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VANCOUVER -- Jason Marshall could have kept trying to achieve the almost impossible dream of becoming a Canadian quarterback in the CFL, but he opted for a professional rugby career instead. Yeezy Boost 350 Online . Now, hes earning a living playing a sport he loves and finding success on the international stage with Canadas national team. The 27-year-old North Vancouver native, who called signals for five seasons with the Simon Fraser University Clan based in Burnbaby, B.C., is gearing up to start a two-year contract with Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne in Frances second division. "I really hope I can stay (in France) for the rest of my rugby career," said Marshall, during a news conference to promote a June 23 international June test match between Canada and Georgia in Burnaby. If all goes according to plan, Marshall, recuperating from surgery to repair a torn bicep, will suit up at prop for Canada against Georgia on the same Swangard Stadium field where he played quarterback for SFU. After completing his university football career in 2008, Marshall had a brief, unsuccessful tryout with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. As often happens with former Canadian university quarterbacks, the Eskimos sought to move Marshall to another position -- fullback. The experiment ended almost as soon as it began "four days after rookie camp." "To me, my football career was over," he said. "I had tried out with Eskimos. It didnt work out. So it was either try something else or go over to the working world. I had a degree in accounting. I was going to try for a (chartered accountant designation) or whatever. But the rugby thing came up. I just stuck with it and it worked out." The same year that he was cut by the Eskimos, Marshall launched his career with the national rugby squad. He had played rugby throughout high school and with club teams and SFU during his first two years of university eligibility while also serving as a backup quarterback on the gridiron. But before his third year, his football coaches offered a larger scholarship on the condition that he stop playing rugby in order to avoid injury. So he focused on football for three years. Since returning to rugby full-time, he has suited for Canada in 12 international matches, including all four at last falls World Cup in New Zealand. In the process, the six-foot-three Marshall bulked up to 255 pounds and moved from the front line to prop, a football-lineman-like position that requires passing, punting and tackling skills. He signed his contract with the French squad just before Canada opened the competition with a 25-20 upset of Tonga en route to going 1-2-1 and finishing fourth in its pool. "My ultimate goal was just to make the World Cup," he recalled. After that, Marshall thought he would pursue an accounting-related career. But now he plans to play as long as possible in France, where he currently makes close to six figures -- much more than he would in the CFL -- and suit up for Canada in two more World Cups. In other words, his former football dream has become a strong rugby itch. "Theres not that big a rugby following in Canada," he said. "But once you get to go and experience games overseas, just games in France -- or we went and watched a game in Australia -- you see its like how hockey-crazy it is in Canada. So I want to stick with it and see what I can do with it." According to Rugby Canada officials, Marshall is one of about 10 Canadian team members playing professionally overseas. Others include Adam Kleeberger, a 27-year-old Elk Point, Alta., native, who plays for London Scottish in England. Gareth Rees, Rugby Canadas national mens program manager, said Marshall benefits twofold from his contract with the French team, which includes one year (2012) plus an option (2013). "One, hes playing against the best in the world," said Rees. "But two, hes supported in a way where its now his livelihood. So hes supported fully. He does everything that he should do -- whether its through the training regimes or the competition-skills models -- so that hes fully prepared to play for Canada. It makes him a better player for Canada. In turn, Marshall serves as inspiration for younger players to pursue a national rugby dream. "It sends a clear message to kids -- not only Canadian rugby players, but Canadian football players -- to choose the sport if you want to have a professional career, largely with the way the salaries are in the CFL," said Rees. "You can add to that, for families and people that dont know rugby, that you can now go to the Olympics. So thats why I say its pretty exciting times for rugby." Rees said Marshall is a team leader and will likely continue to be one over the next decade. However, Marshall said, he no longer has the special status anointed to quarterbacks. Unlike in football, all rugby positions are equal and everyone has a chance to be a star, in contrast to the anonymity that often comes with playing on the offensive line. As a result, rugby is a closer-knit team sport. "You still get the recognition if you want it," he said. "Its just all about how hard you want to work." Accordingly, Marshall has no regrets about quitting football, even though the Eskimos showed a renewed interest. "I havent told anybody this, but after the World Cup, they actually contacted me again," he said. "They wanted me to come out to their training camp this summer." But he has other plans. Note: In addition to the contest against Georgia, Canada will host test matches against the U.S. on June 9 in Kingston, Ont., and Italy on June 15 in Toronto. The matches will be Canadas first since the World Cup. Yeezy Boost 350 Sverige . -- Former major league outfielder Chad Curtis was sentenced Thursday to seven to 15 years in prison for inappropriately touching teenage girls. Adidas Zx 700 Herr .cas Heisman Watch, Johnny Football took advantage of Marcus Mariotas bye week out west to separate himself from the pack a little with a monster performance in Week 10, albeit against a weak opponent.NEW YORK -- Even as the NBA prepares for a draft that could be headlined by freshmen, Commissioner Adam Silver remains committed to keeping them in college. So much so that NCAA President Mark Emmert was invited to discuss his involvement with owners. Silver is moving cautiously on potential changes to areas such as the lottery format and playoff structure, but makes it clear that raising the draft age limit to abolish the so-called "one and done" is one of his priorities. Freshmen Andrew Wiggins of Kansas and Jabari Parker of Duke are expected to be top-five picks in June, but Silver believes teams are taking those players young because of the system in place, not because its their preference. "The fact that our teams would draft these players if they were coming out of high school as they used to, or one year out of college, I think doesnt mean change isnt necessary," Silver said Friday. The age limit requiring American players to be 19 and a year out of high school was implemented in 2005, creating a system where players would simply go to college for a year and then declare for the draft. Silver and predecessor David Stern have long spoken about the desire to increase the limit to 20. But no change, which would have to be discussed with the union, was made during the last round of collective bargaining in 2011. The sides havent been able to have much serious discussion since then. The union has been without an executive director since ousting Billy Hunter 14 months ago, but Silvers desire for change remains. "Were ready to go," Silver said. "Weve been thinking about this issue for a long time." Silver said a change was unlikely for next season, and a transition period would be necessary whenever one was made. In the meantime, he wants the NCAA part of the discussion, so Emmert addressed owners during the two-day meetings. "One thing that we also agree on iss that historically what youve heard is that the age issue is one that needs to be negotiated almost in isolation between the NBA and its union. Adidas Skor Rea. What Dr. Emmert and I agree on is that the NCAA needs to have a seat at the table, as well, for those discussions," Silver said, "that if we are going to be successful in raising the age from 19 to 20, part and parcel of those negotiations go to the treatment of those players on college campuses, that closing the gap between what their scholarships cover and their other incidental expenses, having a longer discussion about eligibility periods so they can make the best decisions for them and their families if they do decide to come out early." Overseeing his first board meeting since replacing Stern in February, Silver seems open to considering anything to improve the league. Owners heard a discussion on ways to change the lottery system, which could be a way to erase the desire to "tank" -- seeking a poor record to have the best chances at the No. 1 pick. Silver said there was also discussion about redesigning the playoff structure to qualify the top 16 teams, rather than the top eight in each conference. Phoenix, which finished ninth in the West with 48 wins, wouldve tied for third in the East. But Silver said those items should be discussed first at length by the competition committee. "For me, the league is doing so well right now, I just want to be very deliberate and cautious about any major changes like that," Silver said. "It doesnt mean that we shouldnt make changes." Silver also said owners werent ready to vote on the potential sale of the Milwaukee Bucks yet, though that could happen soon once owners could review all the financial documents. Owner Herb Kohl reached agreement to sell the franchise to New York investment firm executives Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens for about $550 million. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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