Former Helsinki Rooster C.J. Backlund signs with UNLV!

| American Football | 06/19/2013

[dropcap]C[/dropcap].J. Backlund, former DE for the current Finnish Champion Helsinki Roosters, has accepted a full football scholarship to the D-I University of Nevada-Las Vegas Rebels. Backlund will join another former Rooster, SS Max Elhert in Las Vegas. UNLV competes in the Mountain West Athletic Conference (MWAC) against traditional powerhouses the Air Force Academy and Boise State University.

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At  6’3″ 280 lbs., Backlund has played OL for for Chabot College in Hayward, California in 2011 and 2012. When asked why he chose the Rebels, Backlund said, “I watched a lot of their games this season and they played a lot of very close games, that and the fact that most of their starters are coming back makes me believe that UNLV can win many games. I’m also really excited about their coaching staff, I like them a lot. They want me to come in and play, so I have a fair shot at the starting job.”

Backlund is also excited to rejoin former Rooster and Chabot College teammate Max Elhert. “Getting back with my old friend Max is also very cool plus it’s close to California which I consider to be my home away from home. It just felt like the right place for me.” Backlund is only the 4th Finnish American foot

ball player to earn a Division-I NCAA scholarship. Keep up the good work C.J., you are making them proud in Helsinki!

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.