Most professional athletes in today’s sports market are all too familiar with the trade. But, how did a stand-out running back out of Male High School end up playing for eight football teams since his high school days, well, to answer that question we have to take a look at today’s Sports legend of the Ville, Chris Barclay.
The Louisville native first came to regional attention as a solid performer on a Male team that was full of them. He distinguished himself enough though to get the nod from Wake Forest, where he’d play out his college ball in a very distinguishing fashion. Barclay’s talent was clear at the school as he became a three-time All-ACC athlete and won ACC’s offensive player of the year award in 2005.
This got the attention of the Cleveland Browns who called the young man up but not in the draft. Rather Barclay didn’t make his way to Ohio until after he was selected from the undrafted free agent wire.
Despite his college accolades the Browns never really gave the former free agent much of a chance though, bouncing him around their practice squad before signing him to the active roster for a brief time. Following that 2006 season the Browns further juggled him by sending him to play for the Berlin Thunder for the NFL Europa league; a football league based all around Europe.
After a stellar series of games for Germany, Barclay suited back up for the Browns in 2007. Despite demonstrating his skills the Browns finally traded the running back that year to the Tennessee Titans, who were looking for a replacement for the suspended Chris Henry.
Essentially a temp job, Barclay was traded that same season to the New Orleans Saints however after suffering an injury the Saints released Barclay.
The following year the Atlanta Falcons picked the back up only to eventually let him go that same year.
Currently, Barclay plays in the United Football League for the New York Sentinels where he’s been a star for the team since 2009.
Outside Sources
Image courtesy of National Champs.net
