The first time I saw Anthony Calvillo in person I was lined up 15 yards away from him on a scorching hot field in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wholesale Jerseys China . The year was 1994, and Calvillo was a rookie starter for the Las Vegas Posse, playing against Saskatchewan in the first home game of what would be the Posses one and only season in the Canadian Football League. It is a game that will forever be remembered for the singing of our national anthem when, "O Canada", sounded like, "O Christmas Tree", however, it was also the second game of Calvillos career. It would be a career that would last for 20 years, would include a total of 365 games including playoffs and Grey Cups, and would culminate in Calvillo becoming pro footballs all-time leading passer. The old saying that reads, "you cant judge a book by its cover," couldnt have been more true when it came to my first impression of AC. We had limited information on the team, or Calvillo, it was early in the season and, he was a rookie, so there wasnt much film to watch. I tried to spend as much time as I could watching him in warm up, and I have to say I wasnt all that impressed. I knew he had played under Jim Zorn at Utah State, but he was undersized, bordering on skinny, and had a weird looking throwing style. I have to admit, I envisioned a lopsided win for the visiting team that day, that is until we kicked it off, and Calvillo started chucking the football around like he was playing in the playground on a Sunday afternoon with his brothers in La Puente, California. There is always a cat and mouse game that goes on between the free safety and a quarterback in football, and even though I was playing in my 11th year in the CFL, it didnt take long for AC to start making me feel like the mouse. The Posse won that night by a score of 32-22 and I would never underestimate the ability of Anthony Calvillo again. Not as an opponent, or an analyst covering his illustrious career for the last 19 years. Calvillos numbers and records are staggering - most passing yards, 79,816. Most touchdown passes, 455. Most 300-yard passing games, 125. Most 4000+ yard passing seasons, 11. Those are just a few of the records Calvillo holds, but he is also the leading passer in Grey Cup games, starting in eight of them, and winning on three occasions. And he has won more games as a starter than any quarterback in CFL history. Of the 277 games that AC started he won 167. Damon Allen is second on that list, winning 162. They are numbers and records that in some cases look unreachable. But as mind-numbing as they are, what is more impressive is how he achieved them. To see an in-depth look at the challenges that AC has had to overcome in his life, and his career, look no further than the documentary from the series Engraved On A Nation, called The Kid From La Puente. In it AC and his family talk about his personal and professional struggles and how he has constantly had to overcome adversity on and off the football field. Once you see it and understand the mountain that he has had to climb and then compare that to how Calvillo has carried himself, I think you will agree that while he is one of the games all-time best pocket passers, it is his strength of character that makes him great. Through his tough childhood, through fights with cancer, through his humble beginnings professionally, Calvillo has always carried himself with class and integrity. After viewing the documentary again on Monday night I couldnt help but think that most people facing that level of adversity would want to lash out at the world, and become bitter and angry. Or worse, to quit and walk away. Not Number 13, who has played 16 of his 20 years in Montreal. Calvillo has never complained about the hand he was dealt, he just somehow has always found a way to turn it into a winning hand. Over the next few days football fans will talk about his quick release, his ability to anticipate, his passing accuracy, and all of those astronomical numbers. We will discuss his leadership skills and his championships. The focus will be on AC the quarterback, however, personally, I will be thinking of Calvillo, the person. I include myself in a long list of people that have been inspired by his humility through success, and his perseverance through challenges. Later in that 1994 CFL season when the Posse made their one and only trip to Saskatchewan, I got a chance to meet Anthony when he attended a post-game function at my home with some of his teammates. The outcome of the game that night was different than back in Game 2 of the season, and the year had been a tough one for the Posse. And yet even though there was rumours that the team would be folding, I knew I would be seeing a lot more of Anthony Calvillo. In a conversation I had with him that night, he talked about how much he appreciated the opportunity that Canada and the CFL had provided him, and how hard he was going to work to try and stay in the league and improve. I had no idea at the time that I was talking to the player that would eventually become pro footballs all-time leading passer, but there was just something about Calvillos quiet determination that made me think I hadnt seen the last of this quarterback. Congratulations Anthony to you and your family as you walk away from the game on top of the mountain. From up close as an opponent on that hot night in Las Vegas, until your retirement on Tuesday it has been a pleasure watching you throughout this journey. Most will remember the passing yards and the wins, but I will remember the strength of character and class that you have shown every step of the way. Cheap NFL Jerseys . Barbre is eligible to participate in all off-season and preseason practices and games. Barbre played for Green Bay from 2007-09, and appeared in three games for Seattle in 2010 and four last season. The 6-foot-4, 305-pounds former Missouri Southern State lineman also spent time with Miami in 2010, but didnt play. Wholesale NFL Jerseys . The 25-year-old Emmerton has appeared in 43 games with the Griffins this season, scoring 14 goals with 21 assists. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- So much quarterback drama with the Packers. Aaron Rodgers is tossing the football around again at practice. But dont expect to see Rodgers to be healed enough from his fractured left collarbone to play Thursday when Green Bay visits Detroit in a critical NFC North game. "This was a big day actually for him as far as doing throwing and doing some of the things ... the training staff wanted to hit with him. They definitely hit it," coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday after practice. "So, he feels good but I dont think hes going to make it this week." Tuesday marked Rodgers return to practice since the Nov. 4 injury as anything more than an unofficial assistant quarterback coach. He was formally declared "limited" on the injury report. Asked for more clarity after having pronounced Rodgers chances as "slim to none" earlier this week, McCarthy told reporters: "Closer to none. Im trying to help you out, the drama ... that you guys need. So, there it is, all right." So then the starter is ... Matt Flynn. Probably. Flynn took starter reps Tuesday, two days after helping to lead the Packers back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the Vikings 26-26 in overtime. "Thats where we are. Business as usual," McCarthy said. "Getting him ready. Getting ready to go." Flynn hadnt actually been told as of early Tuesday afternoon that hell be the starter. He said he didnt know when that decision will be made, though it seems like its headed in that direction. "But Im preparing like Im going to start. My mind is set to go out there and take the first snap and play, and do the best that I can, and try to move the ball," said Flynn, a one-time Packers backup who was re-signed two weeks ago. The Packers problems at quarterback started when Rodgers went down during the first series of the 27-20 loss to Chicago on Nov. 4. Green Bay, 5-2 at the time, has been winless since then. Seneca ;Wallace replaced Rodgers, then started against the Eagles and played one series before leaving with a groin injury. Wholesale Jerseys. Hes now on injured reserve. Scott Tolzien replaced Wallace, and started the previous two weeks, but was relieved by Flynn on Sunday for ineffectiveness. Flynn threw for 218 yards and a touchdown. Working in his favour is that hes familiar with the Packers system after having been drafted by the team in 2008 and serving as Rodgers backup for four seasons before leaving as a free agent in 2012. "I think were so much further ahead than we were last week," McCarthy said. "Just as far as going into this game, I feel a lot better that both our quarterbacks will be better prepared." With Flynn, the Packers moved the ball against the Vikings going without a huddle, a staple under Rodgers but something that McCarthy has said the team wasnt really as prepared to do on Sunday. "You get the no-huddle out there, you kind of press their conditioning a little bit," centre Evan Dietrich-Smith said. "It really starts stressing out their guys that are on the field for that time because maybe theyre not as used to it." The equalizing factor, though, might be the Packers having to recover from playing an overtime game. Practice schedules have been juggled a little this week to help the players. Besides Rodgers, the Packers are starting to get other key players back like cornerback Sam Shields (hamstring) and Johnny Jolly (groin), who were both full participants Tuesday after missing the Vikings game. Right tackle Don Barclay (knee) also returned on a limited basis Tuesday. What was new with Rodgers, though, was the primary topic of conversation. How did he look? How did he throw? Will he play? "Youre talking to the wrong person. I would be surprised, I guess," receiver Jordy Nelson said with a smile. "Theres nothing wrong with being surprised, though. Anyway, next question." cheap nfl jerseyscheap soccer jerseys ' ' '
