Jamall Lee: Life At The Bottom Of The Heap

Two hundred and fifty six names over two days, but Jamall Lee never heard his own.

In the five minutes after the Kansas City Chiefs made Ryan Succop 2009’s “Mr. Irrelevant,” Lee got an offer over the phone from the Carolina Panthers to sign as a free agent. One week later, Lee had another job. The British Columbia Lions selected the running back third overall in the Canadian Football League Draft.

Two jobs in one week? Not bad in this economy.

Now, it’s decision time for Lee. Does he stay with the Panthers buried on the depth chart by four other running backs as he competes against the best or does he play each day in the relative obscurity of the Canadian Football League? Perhaps, it’s not much of a decision at all.

"I'd love to make it here. The CFL is a great league and I'm very proud of the guys up there," Lee said, according to the website of the Carolina Panthers. "But right now this is where I want to be. [This] is where the quote-unquote best players are."

This decision is an unusual one for Lee. Born in British Columbia, Lee shirked an offer from Oregon State to enroll at a junior college and then transfer in later. Instead, Lee went to Bishop’s University in Quebec so he could play college football immediately.

No one can blame Lee for not wanting to wait, but he passed up the chance to play against USC and UCLA in the Pac-10 to play against Concordia University and Laval University in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport, a division of Canadian college athletics. Against these lesser teams, Lee averaged 6.75 yards per carry as he led the CIS for the second straight year with 1,093 rushing yards in 2008.

Had he played against tougher competition maybe he would have been a better prospect. For Lee that’s not worth thinking about. Simply having the chance to play in the NFL is worth it.

"He's learning our system; he's got physical tools, obviously. We'll see how he progresses," Panthers head coach John Fox said, according to the team’s website.

As an undrafted free agent, Lee’s playing time is probably more related to injuries than to his progression. For NFL players, particularly running backs, the end of the season may only be one hit away. Additionally, DeAngelo Williams may pay the price for being so successful last season.

Williams rushed the ball 273 times last season. This total leaves him outside the Curse of 370, a theory that any running back with over 370 carries in a season has a greater risk of getting injured the following year. However, it’s possible that Williams’ first full season as a starter could produce a hangover. So, even as the Panthers’ fifth running back he may get a chance to play.

In all likelihood, Lee wants to earn his playing time. His work ethic is unquestioned. In preparation for the CFL combine held in March, Lee worked out in California for two months. Six days each week would be filled with lifting, running and competing against players who were preparing for the NFL combine.

Competition is something that athletes crave. It’s why Lee wants to play against the best players. When a player gets so close to his dream, is it possible that they wish harm on the players above them?

This is not a suggestion that Lee or any other player should pull a Tonya Harding. But could they be rooting for one of those hits? How bad would a middle-class worker feel if he got a temporary promotion after his co-worker had to take a paid medical leave of absence?

Lee has done nothing to suggest that he wants any of the running backs ahead of him to become injured. In fact, he’s simply thankful to have an opportunity to compete against the best. Should his best fall short, he will play for the Lions in the CFL.

"I want to push myself as far as I can go and see what happens," Lee said, according to the Carolina Panthers’ website. "If it doesn't work out, I'm happy I took my shot and I'll go back home."