AAFL tryouts to be Dec. 8 in Neyland

The All-American Football League will hold tryouts on Dec. 8 in Neyland Stadium.

Players interested in trying out must go to allamericanfootballleague.com to fill out an application. Players must have a four-year college degree and exhausted their collegiate eligibility. All players will be paid $50,000 for a 10-week season.

Player selected to participate can be funneled to any of the six teams in the league, which are based in Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Michigan.

Summer Holt, who handles much of the public relations for the league, said every attempt will be made to keep players close to their hometown, as well as where they played college football.

Holt said the AAFL, which is owned by Marcus Katz, has received more than 6,000 applications. Holt said she expects even more applicants for the 2009 season once college degrees have been completed.

"We've had several guys go back to school so they can try out in 2009," Holt said.

Holt said the AAFL's not concerned that requiring a four-year college degree could limit its talent pool of prospective players. Holt said the AAFL is more concerned on sending a positive message.

"Without having a college degree," Holt said, "they don't have anything to fall back on."

Holt said the AAFL would like to eventually franchise its teams out to individual owners.

Team Tennessee, as it will be called, will play its home games in Neyland Stadium.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!