B-G grad Willie McGinnis to play in ArenaBowl XXVII
SIDNEY – Willie McGinnis was out of football for a year until getting his big break in the Arena Football League in 2013.
One year later, McGinnis is a second team all-league defensive lineman, and his team this year, the Cleveland Gladiators, are playing for the Arena Bowl championship Aug. 23 in Cleveland.
McGinnis was an outstanding two-way football player in high school for Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton earning back-to-back all-county selections. He earned a scholarship at the University of Rhode Island, and played 36 games for the Division I school. A knee injury his senior year hampered his pro prospects as he was effectively out of football until the Pittsburgh Power signed him for the 2013 Arena Football League season. McGinnis had 25 tackles and four sacks, but was not resigned by Pittsburgh for 2014.
"Pittsburgh signed me for one year plus a rookie option," McGinnis said Wednesday. "(Pittsburgh) didn't pick up a lot of guys for this season."
McGinnis became a free agent, and through a contact with Cleveland, was inked to a two-year deal. McGinnis' signing paid off with his all-league selection on defense. He was second in the league among nose guards with 11 sacks, and was among the top ten overall in sacks.
McGinnis, like many people in the Arena Football League, is hoping to reach the NFL or Canadian Football League. Some AFL players have had tryouts or played at the next level, but most are in McGinnis' situation: Trying to prove themselves worthy of an NFL tryout.
"I'm trying to get my game film together so we can send it out to scouts," McGinnis said, who added that he has an agent working for him. ""The thing about the NFL is that if you're good enough, the scouts will find you."
Arena Football League players earn a modest salary during the season, and most have offseason jobs. McGinnis was recently hired as an assistant football coach at Milford Academy in New Berlin. He's working with the defensive line, and is appreciative of the opportunity.
"Coach (Bill) Chaplick has 35 years of coaching experience, and it's great to be learning under him and the rest of the staff," McGinnis said. "I'm easing into coaching, but I'm still hoping to play professional football a few more years."
Cleveland will host the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXVII at 8 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN.
One year later, McGinnis is a second team all-league defensive lineman, and his team this year, the Cleveland Gladiators, are playing for the Arena Bowl championship Aug. 23 in Cleveland.
McGinnis was an outstanding two-way football player in high school for Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton earning back-to-back all-county selections. He earned a scholarship at the University of Rhode Island, and played 36 games for the Division I school. A knee injury his senior year hampered his pro prospects as he was effectively out of football until the Pittsburgh Power signed him for the 2013 Arena Football League season. McGinnis had 25 tackles and four sacks, but was not resigned by Pittsburgh for 2014.
"Pittsburgh signed me for one year plus a rookie option," McGinnis said Wednesday. "(Pittsburgh) didn't pick up a lot of guys for this season."
McGinnis became a free agent, and through a contact with Cleveland, was inked to a two-year deal. McGinnis' signing paid off with his all-league selection on defense. He was second in the league among nose guards with 11 sacks, and was among the top ten overall in sacks.
McGinnis, like many people in the Arena Football League, is hoping to reach the NFL or Canadian Football League. Some AFL players have had tryouts or played at the next level, but most are in McGinnis' situation: Trying to prove themselves worthy of an NFL tryout.
"I'm trying to get my game film together so we can send it out to scouts," McGinnis said, who added that he has an agent working for him. ""The thing about the NFL is that if you're good enough, the scouts will find you."
Arena Football League players earn a modest salary during the season, and most have offseason jobs. McGinnis was recently hired as an assistant football coach at Milford Academy in New Berlin. He's working with the defensive line, and is appreciative of the opportunity.
"Coach (Bill) Chaplick has 35 years of coaching experience, and it's great to be learning under him and the rest of the staff," McGinnis said. "I'm easing into coaching, but I'm still hoping to play professional football a few more years."
Cleveland will host the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXVII at 8 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN.
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