There is no straight line from Canada to the National Football League.

Instead, every Canadian NFL player’s journey tends to be unique, a combination of chance, circumstance, resources and commitment, with each creating their own road map to trying to reach their ultimate goal.

So, if you’ve heard one story about how a Canadian made it to the NFL, you’ve only heard one story about how a Canadian made it to the NFL.

“Every Canadian in the NFL can attest, at one point in all our careers, there was a point where the map wasn’t routed out,” said New York Giants defensive back Jonathan Sutherland. “There were so many unknowns.”

Unlike a sport such as hockey in Canada, where the path from Peewee to the NHL is obvious, getting to the NFL involves no such clarity amidst formidable competition south of the border.

“We’re outnumbered by the U.S. kids, where the system from elementary to high school is built for them to make it to the NFL,” said Washington Commanders corner Benjamin St-Juste. “For us, in the education system and resources, it’s not the same.”

That’s a reality that brings aspiring players to the most critical decision they face – whether to transition to American football at the high school or collegiate level. There are plenty of examples of success doing it both ways among the current crop of Canadian NFL players.

While Canada’s NBA players almost exclusively play high school in the United States, 21 of the 34 Canadians currently on NFL rosters finished their high school football in Canada.

Among........

© TSN