GJC Graduate Hopes For NFL Start
Offensive lineman Frank Davis hopes to become the first graduate of the NFL Global Junior Championship and the first Panamanian to start in the National Football League when the Detroit Lions play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday at 1pm.
Davis was raised in Panama where he first stepped onto the gridiron before playing football at the University of South Florida. In 2000 he represented Panama in his country’s first appearance at the NFL Global Junior Championship during the week of Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta and came to the attention of college scouts having not played high school football.
“I always used to watch (football) on TV and watch the college and NFL games, but I never thought about playing like I’m doing now,” said Davis during a Q&A with Detroit media.
Davis, who was one of two rookie free agents to make the Lions’ 2006 opening day roster and saw his first career action as a guard on special teams against Seattle on September 10, added: “When I started playing I started really liking it because it’s competitive and I like competition. I guess I just got involved and I love the game now. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said of Davis: “We were very pleased with him. That’s a big, young, good guard. He came in and did a heck of a job and he’s a 330 pound man. I think he’s going to be fine. Sometimes you can see the strengths and the balance and the base that you see, but the thing I didn’t realize (in regards to) game experience (is) that he really shows some confidence.”
Other former NFL Global Junior Championship standouts who have progressed to the professional and college ranks include defensive end Constantin Ritzmann (Germany / Buffalo Bills 2005), wide receiver Marvin Allen (England / Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad 2006), quarterback Riley Skinner (Team USA / Wake Forest, Second Team All-ACC), wide receiver Kevin Challenger (Canada / Boston College) and linebacker Philippe Gardent (France / NFL Europe co-Defensive MVP 2006 / Washington Redskins practice squad 2006).