Brian Schaefering wasn't going to be just another statistic at this level of football. You know the guys who didn't get their fair shake, or the ones who say "if only they would’ve stayed in school.”  Nope, Schaefering was determined to follow through on his dream no matter what path he took. It was a little off course and took a little longer than expected.  However, the rewards were greater than he may have ever imagined following last nights 13-6 Cleveland Browns victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, in which Schaefering registered 5 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks against the defending World Champions.

 
Schaefering started his football career right here in St. Louis, MO at Hazelwood East High School, where he was First Team All-State and All-Suburban North selection as a senior in 2000.  He then moved on to the University of Illinois where, in 3 seasons, he registered 61 tackles, 6 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.  Schaefering left the Illini program after the 2004 season and sat out all of 2005 and 2006.  This is where he was introduced to "Semi-Pro" football by his friend and Hazelwood East alumnus Cerone Colvin.  While playing with the Missouri Wildcats, Schaefering proved right away that he was a man amongst boys, dominating in almost all aspects of the game….. except for while playing against the Northeast Missouri Cyclones, although he was the only one to register a sack against them in 2006. 

  After playing that season with the Wildcats as well as working as a security guard to support his family, Schaefering enrolled at Lindenwood University, where he once more found himself on the gridiron playing for Head Coach Pat Ross and the Lions.  During his senior year he earned All-American honors while collecting 37 tackles, 7 1/2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 blocked kick (all this while missing 3 games due to a shoulder injury).  That following Spring, he signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns, only to be released on the final cuts before the season started.  Brian continued to workout and became a member of the Cyclones during this time.  He worked out and practiced with the team all winter in preparation for their National Championship game in West Virginia.  It was the Tuesday night before the game that Coach Robertson got the call.  "What do you say when a kid tells you he signed the big one?" Robertson was quoted saying after he hung up the phone.  Schaefering had indeed signed with the New York Jets to finish out the 2008 season.  Although he was never activated, it gave him more professional football experience and allowed him to develop a relationship with Head Coach Eric Mangini, which in turn is how he ended up back in Cleveland this year.  After spending a couple of weeks with the Cyclones and playing in one game against the Kansas City Shockers, Brian received a call from the Browns and was signed to their practice squad at the end of training camp.  After a couple of injuries, tons of hard work and lots of determination, Brian finally achieved his dream. 

  This article wasn't intended to support the lie that playing "semi-pro" football is your ticket to the next level.  I wrote this more to celebrate the hard work that Schaefering put into reaching his goals. Hopefully Brian’s story will inspire these guys who are constantly complaining about not playing for free or about not getting a fair shot to get up off the couch and make things happen.  I cannot think of one time I ever heard a complaint out of Brian other than his helmet was too big.