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Sweet Home Chicago

Ok its time to get you all up to date on my crazy preseason.  After being with the Crew for 5 seasons I have been on two new teams in the past 4 weeks. I started with Toronto when they picked me off waivers.  It was a great time there.  The coaches were quality and the players were great guys.  Mo had even told me that I had done so well that I was in serious contention for the No 1 jersey.  But because they are only allowed 4 americans I had to be waived to make room for Richard Mulrooney.  I completely understood that Mo had to do what was best for the team.  I also told Mo that I would love to play for him sometime in the future, I think he is a great players coach. 

From there I met up with Chicago to train with them.  After two weeks of training they have signed me to a contract.  This officially happened today, just in time for the season to start on Saturday.  So I now have a home to the relief of myself and my wife.  I am very excited about the opportunity here.  The Fire have a first rate organization from top to bottom.  I will start as the back up to Matt Pickens but hopefully I can make the most of it and win the position sometime this season.  Right now I am simply enjoying playing again after nearly two years of injuries. 

I am feeling very good and and putting all my focus on getting my game back to the level it was before the injuries.  The fresh start is just what I needed to get me refocused.  So I have a big challenge in front of me again and I love it.  I have always enjoyed proving people wrong during my 11 year pro career and this is just another chapter in that book.  Plus my buddy Chewie has already put the challenge down for me to win it by this summer so I can't make him look bad, haha.  I  can promise you this that I will do everything I can to make Chewie look good. 

Until next time,
buschy

Posted Apr 07 2007, 06:42 AM by ChewieGK1
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Comments

ChewieGK1 wrote re: Sweet Home Chicago
on 04-07-2007 11:47 AM

Often times we non professionals think being a pro is the easiest job in the world...Im sure Jon can attest that over the last month, it has been anything BUT easy.  

Wilk wrote re: Sweet Home Chicago
on 04-07-2007 1:44 PM

Good luck in Chicago Jon.  I just hope your return to Columbus is televised here in Canada.

buschy wrote re: Sweet Home Chicago
on 04-07-2007 2:27 PM

Chewie you know what I have gone through in the past few weeks.  I love being a pro and wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world but sometimes its not all roses.  I have been in more hotels in the past few weeks then most people in a year.  But that is all behind me now.  

buschy

keep2418 wrote re: Sweet Home Chicago
on 04-07-2007 5:26 PM

Best of luck Jon!  Can't wait to catch some fire action.  Whats your thoughts on your new teammate, Blanco?

ADIKeeper wrote re: Sweet Home Chicago
on 04-07-2007 9:57 PM

Good luck man, looking forward to seeing you!

Sepp wrote re: Sweet Home Chicago
on 04-10-2007 7:00 AM

On the topic of the ups and downs of being a pro footballer you may find the book Left Foot Forward of interest:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Left-Foot-Forward-Journeyman-Footballer/dp/0747251827

Its Garry Nelsons bio and is basically a journeyman footballers (not a superstar) own story of his career coming to an end and what to do next.

Also on the subject I remember this story coming up a few years back:

http://www.rivals.net/default.asp?p=2&sid=967&stid=229659

Keith is now the manager at Rochdale, I've had the pleasure to play against Keith at 5 a side a few times and we have a couple of mutual friends and I can say hes a damn nice bloke. Think it says a lot about the man that he still finds time to play footy with his mates once a week.

Also good luck to you John - certainly sounds like you deserve it

Ramas wrote re: Sweet Home Chicago
on 04-21-2007 6:31 AM

Well, I guess I should start to cheer a team that wears a RED shirt, red of all colours ... Just my luck, being a 34 year-long registered supporter and season ticket holder of Sporting C. P. - Sporting Lisbon.

All the luck in the World to you Jon, not that you need any ! ... Your talent and God given habilities and a lot of hard work will win that NUMBER ONE SHIRT in a matter of a few weeks.

GO Buschy and GO FIRE, GO !

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