Former UWSP Football Player Strives to Play Professionally
Photo courtesy of UWSP Athletics.

Former UWSP Football Player Strives to Play Professionally

Former University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point football player, Aaron Karlen, spent two months playing for a Canadian football team.

Karlen played football for four years at UWSP and returned to the university this fall to finish up his sociology major. Karlen knew that he wanted to pursue a career as a professional football player, and hired an agent to help him reach his goal.

Karlen plays defensive end and was looking for positions in both the NFL and CFL. He had caught the eye of many American and Canadian teams but struggled to get signed. Eventually, his hard work paid off when he was signed to a Canadian team called the Ottawa Redblacks.

“The paycheck was awesome, I loved it. I would say the biggest obstacle was the teammates because I didn’t have the guys that I was close with at Point up there,” Karlen said.

Football season in Canada starts in June, and Karlen was able to play in three games. The team had released him after two months, but he is grateful for the experience.

Grant Parsons, senior business marketing major, played alongside Karlen at UWSP. Parsons admitted that there are not many division three players that get recognized by scouts, let alone make it to the NFL.

Parsons believes that it’s Karlen’s work ethic that will help him to accomplish his goals. As Karlen’s roommate, he has seen firsthand his dedication to staying in shape.

“Ultimately I want to see him make a team whether it’s the CFL or the NFL. I saw what he did in Canada, my vision for him is that he makes a team and is successful there,” Parsons said.

Kaylee Karlen, senior family consumer sciences major, felt that her brother’s experience on the Redblacks gave him a taste of the bad and good that comes with playing professional football.

“I would like to see him get signed to an NFL team, get major playing time and fulfill his dream of being a professional football player,” Karlen said.

After graduation, Karlen will continue his search to get signed to a team.

Caroline Chalk

Reporter

cchal845@uwsp.edu

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