University of Minnesota Athletics
Former Gopher Willie Middlebrooks Catches On in Canada
7/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Former All-Big Ten performer and first-round NFL Draft pick Willie Middlebrooks has rejuvenated his professional football career with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Middlebrooks, who lettered with the Gophers from 1998-2000, signed with the Argos in April and last week was named the CFL’s defensive player of the week for his nine-tackle, one-interception performance against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
It was the first CFL game for the 29-year-old Middlebrooks, who was the first selection of the Denver Broncos in the 2001 NFL draft.
Middlebrooks went on to play four seasons in Denver before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2005. He was unable to land an NFL roster spot for the 2006 season and sat out the entire 2007 campaign before deciding to take his game to the Great White North this spring.
Now one of five Gophers currently playing professional football north of the border, Middlebrooks has teamed with former Minnesota standouts Arland Bruce (WR) and Jerome Davis (OT) in Toronto. Other Gophers currently playing in the CFL include defensive back Jermaine Mays with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and wide receiver Ryan Thelwell with the Calgary Stampeders.
