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SALT LAKE CITY - A lot of blood, sweat and tears go into fulfilling a dream. Like VINCE PAPALE in the newly-released movie "Invincible", a movie about a walk-on player who beat the odds and made the roster of the Philadelphia Eagles, hopefuls will have a chance to make the Utah Blaze roster when the Arena Football League team holds its open tryouts, tomorrow at 9 a.m. in the Spence Eccles Field House. The tryouts will be open to the public.
"A small percentage of players can make the cut to become a professional football player," said Utah head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE. "Not everybody has the ability and desire to make it to this level, but I am anxious to see what this year's tryouts will bring."
Last year, over 200 participants attended the tryouts, but only five players made the 2006 Utah Blaze squad. The five players include: WR/LB SALE KEY, DS KEVIN MOFFETT, OL/DL GARRETT SMITH, WR/LB EMMETT WHITE and DS THAL WOODS.
All players will be tested in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, broad jump and 225-pound bench press. In addition, participants may be asked to participate in position-specific drills and one-on-ones later in the afternoon.
Players interested in trying out for the Blaze can sign up on the team website www.utahblaze.com. Registration is at 8 a.m.
The Utah Blaze were winners of the 2006 Commissioner's Award, given to the Arena Football League's Organization of the Year, and the Best Support Staff Award. The Blaze led the AFL in attendance and qualified for the postseason in just their first season. Season tickets for the 2007 are now available by logging onto www.utahblaze.com or by calling the Blaze ticket office at (801) 257-3111.
