Post by Gene on Jun 17, 2012 16:58:28 GMT -5
Cheyenne, WY -- Kurt Warner never played wide receiver. But he is Lemans Casimier’s inspiration when it comes to playing professional football.
The pair have never met, and they have very little in common. But their path to football stardom might be more intertwined now than ever.
“When I first started, I asked myself, ‘is this what I want to do,’ and I heard about Kurt Warner going from the Arena Football League to the NFL. And I said, ‘Yeah, that’s something I want to do.’ That’s what got me started,” Casimier said.
“If you want to say it, Kurt Warner got me started in arena football.”
Like Warner, Casimier’s journey has taken him all over the country. But this weekend it could land him a spot on the Tampa Storm’s roster. Later this week, the Cheyenne Warriors standout will travel to Florida for a workout with the Storm.
Warriors general manager Alton Walker, a native of Florida, got a call from Tampa assistant coach Lawrence Samuels earlier in the week saying the team needed wide receivers after losing two to the Canadian Football League.
Walker immediately suggested Cheyenne’s leader in receiving and interceptions.
“He’s just one of the guys that any team would be lucky to have, not only for what he contributes on the field, but also some of the off-the-field things he does,” Walker said.
Casimier played his college ball at Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Miss.
He started his professional career with the Mississippi Mudcats of the American Indoor Football Association. The team eventually moved to El Paso, Texas, and became the El Paso Generals of the Indoor Football League.
In 2009, Casimier finished the year with 84 receptions for 1,086 yards and 23 touchdowns, all of which were top three in the league statistically.
When the Generals folded, he played half a season in Billings, Mont., for the Outlaws before being traded to the Colorado Ice.
In 21 games in Fort Collins, Colo., Casimier had 1,340 yards and 18 touchdowns.
He also spent a minicamp with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.
Now, the New Orleans native has a chance to play at the highest level of indoor football.
“My mouth dropped (when Walker told me). I was speechless at the time but happy at the same time,” Casimier said. “Excited, nervous, butterflies - just all kinds of things. You’re getting that big break.”
In the Warriors’ inaugural season, Casimier led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. He also was the team leader in interceptions, spending time on both sides the ball.
Once he arrives in Florida, Casimier could suit up as early as Friday for the team’s game with the Orlando Predators.
No matter what happens, Casimier’s road to another level of football appears to be going somewhere. He admits getting back toward his family in the South has been a goal all along, but says he must have been “meant” to stay in the Wyoming-Colorado area.
He’ll never forget where he came from. And like Warner, he could be headed for bigger and better things.
“I got an opportunity, and good things work out,” Casimier said. “I appreciate the opportunity, and I would always come back. No matter what happens, I’m a Warrior for life.”
Notes
Cheyenne’s final two games of the regular season have been canceled. The Warriors had planned to host Springfield on Saturday in the team’s first American Professional Football League game since May 19, but a deal to get the Wolf Pack to Cheyenne fell through. … The Warriors are currently holding tryouts for dancers for next season. Interested candidates can bring a headshot and resume to the team’s office at 113 W. 17th St.
The pair have never met, and they have very little in common. But their path to football stardom might be more intertwined now than ever.
“When I first started, I asked myself, ‘is this what I want to do,’ and I heard about Kurt Warner going from the Arena Football League to the NFL. And I said, ‘Yeah, that’s something I want to do.’ That’s what got me started,” Casimier said.
“If you want to say it, Kurt Warner got me started in arena football.”
Like Warner, Casimier’s journey has taken him all over the country. But this weekend it could land him a spot on the Tampa Storm’s roster. Later this week, the Cheyenne Warriors standout will travel to Florida for a workout with the Storm.
Warriors general manager Alton Walker, a native of Florida, got a call from Tampa assistant coach Lawrence Samuels earlier in the week saying the team needed wide receivers after losing two to the Canadian Football League.
Walker immediately suggested Cheyenne’s leader in receiving and interceptions.
“He’s just one of the guys that any team would be lucky to have, not only for what he contributes on the field, but also some of the off-the-field things he does,” Walker said.
Casimier played his college ball at Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Miss.
He started his professional career with the Mississippi Mudcats of the American Indoor Football Association. The team eventually moved to El Paso, Texas, and became the El Paso Generals of the Indoor Football League.
In 2009, Casimier finished the year with 84 receptions for 1,086 yards and 23 touchdowns, all of which were top three in the league statistically.
When the Generals folded, he played half a season in Billings, Mont., for the Outlaws before being traded to the Colorado Ice.
In 21 games in Fort Collins, Colo., Casimier had 1,340 yards and 18 touchdowns.
He also spent a minicamp with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.
Now, the New Orleans native has a chance to play at the highest level of indoor football.
“My mouth dropped (when Walker told me). I was speechless at the time but happy at the same time,” Casimier said. “Excited, nervous, butterflies - just all kinds of things. You’re getting that big break.”
In the Warriors’ inaugural season, Casimier led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. He also was the team leader in interceptions, spending time on both sides the ball.
Once he arrives in Florida, Casimier could suit up as early as Friday for the team’s game with the Orlando Predators.
No matter what happens, Casimier’s road to another level of football appears to be going somewhere. He admits getting back toward his family in the South has been a goal all along, but says he must have been “meant” to stay in the Wyoming-Colorado area.
He’ll never forget where he came from. And like Warner, he could be headed for bigger and better things.
“I got an opportunity, and good things work out,” Casimier said. “I appreciate the opportunity, and I would always come back. No matter what happens, I’m a Warrior for life.”
Notes
Cheyenne’s final two games of the regular season have been canceled. The Warriors had planned to host Springfield on Saturday in the team’s first American Professional Football League game since May 19, but a deal to get the Wolf Pack to Cheyenne fell through. … The Warriors are currently holding tryouts for dancers for next season. Interested candidates can bring a headshot and resume to the team’s office at 113 W. 17th St.
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