[Vladimir]

Hi, I always wanted to play football but never had the chance.. I am from Ukraine, we didnt have any team there. Now I am 28, living in DC, and still want to try to play. Obviously, I do not aspire to become a pro or anything like that, but I still want to play. Now, what should I do? Or this is a stupid idea?
I am 6'5 tall, 310 pounds (not just fat, bones and meat too), previously was practicing boxing (ab 4 years) and judo (couple years)
Thank you

[guile]

I'm not sure if they have recreational leagues for football...There are usually semi-pro teams in most cities, although I'm sure it is very difficult to make the team. Just do a search for football leagues in your area and see if anything comes up.

I wish there was a recreational league here, I would be playing for sure!

[GoBucks]

Find a college or university you would like to attend and go try out when they have try outs for their "walk on" players. Practically every university has try outs for walk on players.

[Buck It]

Your best bet is to find your local Semi-Pro team. I coach semi-pro and can tell you that teams at this level usually give everyone a fair shot. Tell em you'll play line. There is usually a shortage of linemen. Try the guard position, it's the least complicated of the line play. You'll need to be a quick study though. With little to no experience, I'd recommend Defensive line. Your job will be to get off the block, and either stop the runner, or sack the QB.

[Vladimir]

thank you very much guys
Now, what does semi-pro means? I was thinking that all sports divide on amateur and pro..Does semi-pro means u end up getting some money? Or at least insurance? Am I big enough for the guard? Should I mention that i don't have any expierence?

[Buck It]

Originally Posted by Vladimir

thank you very much guys
Now, what does semi-pro means? I was thinking that all sports divide on amateur and pro..Does semi-pro means u end up getting some money? Or at least insurance? Am I big enough for the guard? Should I mention that i don't have any expierence?

Semi-pro means Semi-pay. There's usually no benefits, but I do recommend pickin up some AFLAC. If you're tryin to get a payin job, you've gotta learn the game first. Players that are good enough to get paid have usually been playin their whole lives. But who knows, you may find that you've got mad skill. Sometimes players come outta nowhere. If I were you, I'd bone up on the D-tackle position. Watch some videos, read some books. Don't tell the team you've never played, make something up. If you learn enough before you show up, you can at least talk the talk enough to get looked at. Then, it's all on you.

[GoBucks]

Man, this one area of my life I wish I'd persued when I was younger. I was asked to try out for the local semi-pro team, and never did. I was too wrapped up in the girl I was with at the time, what a frickin' mistake I made. Definetly go after it Vladmir. Learn as much as you can, like Buck It said, and don't let them know you never have played. Unless, of course, you get cornered with it. I don't promote lying to them, but don't mention it unless you are asked. Learn how to form tackle and shed blocks. Sounds like you definetly got the physical tools. Good Luck.

[Buck It]

I know what you mean. I didn't play ball my last 2 years of HS, choosing instead to grow my hair and smoke dope. Now I regret it. I'm actually thinkin bout gettin back up to weight and tryin out for the team this year. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but I ain't that old. There's lots of cats in the pros my age. We'll see how much cartlege is left in the old knees and shoulders

[GoBucks]

Originally Posted by Buck It

I know what you mean. I didn't play ball my last 2 years of HS, choosing instead to grow my hair and smoke dope. Now I regret it. I'm actually thinkin bout gettin back up to weight and tryin out for the team this year. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but I ain't that old. There's lots of cats in the pros my age. We'll see how much cartlege is left in the old knees and shoulders

Go for it man! I regret to say my playing days are probably over. I recently broke my Tibial Plateau, playing touch football! I juked left, and my knee kept on going to the left, with a loud "SNAP" at the end of it. I can't put weight on it for a total of six to ten weeks. I guess it's common to have that kind of fracture with blown ACL's, but mine held...so that's good. Guess, I'll have to stick to coaching or commentating...lol.

[Buck It]

Originally Posted by GoBucks

Go for it man! I regret to say my playing days are probably over. I recently broke my Tibial Plateau, playing touch football! I juked left, and my knee kept on going to the left, with a loud "SNAP" at the end of it. I can't put weight on it for a total of six to ten weeks. I guess it's common to have that kind of fracture with blown ACL's, but mine held...so that's good. Guess, I'll have to stick to coaching or commentating...lol.

Yea, coachin's a blast. I'm a communications major, and will go to broadcast school when I get my Bachelors done.