Injury Ends Season For Rooster’s QB Robert Johnson, Sean Shelton Signed to Fill the Void

Former French Elancourt Templiers QB has big shoes to fill in Helsinki

[su_dropcap]H[/su_dropcap]elsinki Roosters (Finnish Maple League) starting quarterback Robert Johnson, who has been with the club since 2012, and appeared with them as far back as 2008, suffered a season-ending knee injury in last weekend’s Maple League game against Turku Trojans on July 21.

Rojo injured

Johnson, a Texas Tech graduate who broke all of Wes Welker’s receiving records at the school before converting to quarterback, ruptured his patella tendon and underwent surgery this week. He will be out for six to eight months. His replacement is Sean Shelton, who the Roosters signed for the rest of the season.

Shelton was a four year starter at William Jewell College (NCAA Div. II) with 41 starts at quarterback. He was named William Jewell Football’s Offensive MVP for the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Sean-Shelton-2

Shelton just finished his first season in Europe playing for the  Templiers d’Elancourt in the French Elite league and also in IFAF Europe Champions league games. In the French Elite league Shelton had 2,159 passing yards for 24 touchdowns and was named the French Elite league import MVP after the season.

Interestingly, Shelton faced his new Roosters team while playing for the Templiers in the semifinal game of IFAF Europe Champions league and Helsinki Roosters head coach Juha Hakala was impressed with his talent:

“Sean is very mobile quarterback with a very accurate arm and throws good deep balls. Also, in spite of his young age he is very experienced at quarterback  and can manage the game really well on the field and be a leader of the offense.”

Source: www.helsinkiroosters.com

John McKeon is a former professional and collegiate American Football player and coach now living and working in New York. His goal is to spread news, information, and opinion on the global growth of the sport he loves.