Colony grad to play in Arena Bowl XXI

July 27, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

Cole Magner has had an opportunity to play for a championship at every level.

In high school, the 2001 graduate of Colony High School led the Knights to the Alaska large-schools championship game in 2000.

In college, Magner helped the Bowling Green State University Falcons score a spot in the 2003 Mid American Conference championship game.

And now in the professional ranks, Magner, a 6-foot-2 wide receiver, will try to help the Columbus Destroyers win Arena Bowl XXI Sunday in New Orleans.

The game is nationally televised on ABC, at 11 a.m. AST.

A virtual roller coaster of a professional football career has led Magner to the chance to play for pro title. Magner, 24, has fought through disapointment and injury as he's worked for the chance to land a permanent spot on a professional roster since completing a stellar four-year career with Bowling Green in 2004.

&#8220There's been some ups and downs, but you just have to keep a positive mind frame,” Magner said on Tuesday from his home in Columbus, Ohio. &#8220You just have to deal with what happens.”

Magner has suited up for two National Football League teams. He's been signed and released by the Atlanta Falcons twice, and spent a brief amount of time on the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens.

He was also invited to the pre-draft veteran minicamp of the Oakland Raiders earlier this year.

Ultimately, Magner still hopes to find a spot for himself in the NFL, but decided to give Arena football a shot when he initially signed with the Destroyers in October.

But the ups and downs continued in Columbus.

In March, he was placed on the practice squad. And then in April, he was released from the practice squad so he could attend the Raiders' minicamp.

Following the minicamp, Magner returned to Columbus to continue training and waited for a team to call. A few weeks later, Magner said, he was once again added to the Columbus practice squad.

Finally, Magner was activated for the Destroyers game against the Philadelphia Soul during the 15th week of the season.

And Magner took advantage of the opportunity.

He posted four catches for 44 yards and two touchdowns in Columbus' 56-53 loss to the Soul. Following the contest, Magner was named his team's offensive player of the game.

Magner's performance against Philadelphia represented the ‘up.' And then came the ‘down.'

&#8220The next day I found out I had a staff infection in my leg,” Magner said.

That put the Palmer native on the sidelines for another three weeks.

So Magner spent the final week of the regular season and the first two weeks of the playoffs watching.

But on July 14, Magner was back in the lineup. And once again, he contributed.

Magner caught five passes for 39 yards and a touchdown, and helped the Destroyers claim a 66-56 win over Georgia and secure a spot in Arena Bowl XXI.

For someone who spent more time watching than playing recently, Magner said he's just glad to be back on the field.

&#8220It's awesome. It feels great,” Magner said. &#8220Not only catching passes, but being part of the team, running down on special teams, helping your team win - everything.”

Magner said his still hoping there is an opportunity for him in the NFL. But at this point, he's enjoying life in the Arena league and getting paid to play football.

&#8220It beats sitting at a desk,” Magner said, something he has said throughout the last three years of trying to find a spot in professional football.

Magner said it's also been important to build quality relationships with fellow players and coaches, regardless of whether a situation works out or not. For instance, he made an impression on Greg Knapp, the former offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. Now with the Raiders, Knapp invited Manger to the Oakland

camp.

&#8220A lot of it has to do with building good relationships in football,” Magner said.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.