"Pancakes", the Douglas Quail story.
I write this article today, not in an effort to further my fame and fortune, but instead to attempt to inspire future players around the globe, that they to, with hard work and dedication can make it as an athlete despite background and geography. Thats the beauty of the modern game, with how connected the world is, and how widespread the sport is now. There are few good excuses for not making something of yourself if you are dedicated enough. Now, you may be sat reading this and thinking "but Doug, I'm not 6'4", 340lbs" and to you I say, so what? The beauty of football is that there is a position for everyone. Everyone wants to play offensive line, but there are other options. Too skinny? Tight End or Linebacker. Too short? Defensive back or Wide Receiver. Too dumb? Defensive line. Hate fun? Kickers the spot for you.
The point is, the only thing standing between you and a place in the NSFL is your own mentality.
I was born in the town of Dundee, Scotland, which straight away should let you know that my road to where I am today is an interesting one. It defintely began with a love of competition growing up, coupled with being bigger than pretty much every other kid around. My first experience with organised sport was with my local association football club here in Scotland, but it did not take me long to realise that despite playing defence, the lack of physicality in the sport meant that I was poorly suited for it. I transitioned at a young age to playing rugby, at which I excelled. I played rugby throughout my early teens, playing for my local youth team, county youth (state equivalent) and a brief stint with the youth national team. While I loved playing rugby, and still do to an extent. I couldnt help but look folornly at the American Football being played accross the pond in the United States and feel a pang of jealousy due to the pagentry and community built around the sport. Friday night lights seemed like an incredible concept, both for experience while young, and the togetherness it fosters within the community as a whole. It was at this point that I decided I needed a change, and while the sport at the time in the UK did not compete with the pagentry of the sport in it's homeland, it did offer a great chance to develop my game quickly.
Here is where my journey into American football begins in earnest. With the Dundee Hurricanes, a small team in my birthtown of Dundee, Scotland. Ultimately, I was only with the team for one season, where I quickly picked up the craft of playing offensive line. I was quick to dive into some of the more american aspects of the game that are often overlooked here in the UK, and part of that was building up an online profile to try to gather attention from scouts. Fortunately for me, the lower skill level of the game over in the UK allowed for me to put together a relatively impressive highlight reel quickly, and that combined with my athletic measurables, meant a few different colleges got in touch with me. I was ecstatic to recieve a full ride at the University of Notre Dame which really shaped me into the player that I am today. Having access to top tier coaching and training programs brought mt game forward leaps and bounds. Competing with the fighting Irish while getting a degree in mechanical engineering instilled in me a great work ethic that still pays off to this day. Excelling under the regime in college did a lot to prepare me for the pros, and my competitive nature ensured that I had the drive to continue to compete at the next level.
I travelled back home to the UK to be with my family and friends during the draft, while we werent sure where I was going to be picked, or who by, after my team interviews, we were certain it was going to happen. We had a huge party, rented out a bar in town, had caterers serving pancakes by the dozen, and plenty alchohol. It was a great time. I've never had a better feeling than when my phone rang, and the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers were on the other end telling me that they wanted me. There is nothing else like it in this world. Having years of hard work and commitment pay off in the form of a career playing the game you love, and being able to provide for your entire family for the rest of their lives. #46 overall was a great spot to go for someone who had been playing the sport for much less time than most of the competition. I just remember the room being completely silent while I took the call, then erupting with cheers when I hung up. It's safe to say that I don't remember much else that went on that night. We party hard in Scotland.
The move from Indiana to Carolina was a big step for me. I obviously grew up living with my parents, then in dorms at Notre Dame. So uprooting my life again for the second time in just a matter of years was a big thing for me, the key difference this time being, I had 5 million dollars burning a hole in my pocket. I rented a nice apartment overlooking the beach, bought a nice Merc and was ready to begin my new life as a pro athlete. I took to life in Myrtle Beach like a duck to water, smashed training camp, won the job of starting Left Tackle, got some nice new equipment and figured out the best spot to enjoy thast famous Carolina barbeque. (Most people will tell you its Little Pigs Bar-B-Q, but it's not. It's Sweet Carolina's. I'm 340 lbs. Trust me.)
Despite all the turmoil. I took to the DSFL like a duck to water, with the higher level of competition in training every day leading to me getting better than ever. In my first season, I helped the Buccaneers make it all the way to the Ultimini unfortunately coming up short of winning it all. On a personal level I had an incredible first year. Leading the DSFL in pancakes, not allowing a single sack, and winning DSFL Offensive Lineman of the year. It's safe to say that I would have made the pro bowl if it was possible for Offensive lineman to play. I like to think that my vocal opposition to this absurd rule played a large part of remedying this injustice for offensive linemen of the future.
Off the back of my great rookie campaign, it was time to look towards the big leagues and the NSFL draft. After my great season, I expected to go quite high, but I overlooked the leagues inherant prejudices against user OL, and was once again selected #46 overall, by the Orange County Otters, which in hindsight should not have been a surprise, but I was expecting it to be New Orleans Second Line to be the ones to call me, mostly due to a very in depth interview process in which they made clear that they wanted me. But hey, you snooze, you lose, and I will spend the next decade ensuring they know they made a mistake. Orange County has proved to be a great landing spot, and while I am yet to make my first NSFL appearance, their commitment to user offensive line in the future is something that greatly excites me.
Post draft, I was informed that I would be playing a couple more seasons in Myrtle Beach to further hone my craft and prepare for the top level of the sport. This suited me fine, as a relatively new student of the sport, I certainely could use the time to improve my game knowledge. Having the oppurtunity to participate in a NSFL training camp showed me just how much I still have to learn but it's been a great learning oppurtunity, and being able to participate in this each season should be a great learning experience.
My second season in the DSFL was both better and worse than my first, I regressed slightly in pancakes per game, and allowed my first pro sack, but the team here in the Myrtle Beach locker room took me to new heights with an Ultimini victory, taking home the second biggest prize in pro football. It truly was an experience I wont ever forget, and second only to being drafted for the first time. I taught a few teammates how we party in the UK that night.
So, where am I currently, and what are my plans for the future? It's estimated that I will have another season in the DSFL to get myself up to scratch, and I'm looking forward to helping the Buccanneers go back to back. I am currently in the hunt to be the first offensive lineman to get the elusive 69 pancake season, which is the ultimate goal of every offensive lineman in the league. Being the first to get it would cement my legacy for decades to come, and isnt that whats most impprtant in life? How you affect others and the legacy you leave behind? After this season, I'll be looking to help Orange County make a push for the ultimate prize in pro football, the Ultimus, and pay them back for the investment they made drafting me by locking down the blind side of the offensive line for the next decade.
I suppose all thats left for me to do is thank everyone thats helped me get to where I am now, the coaches and players back in Dundee that helped me get started in the sport, Notre Dame University for taking a chance on an unproven, unknown player from Scotland, and to the organisations of both Myrtle Beach Buccanneers and Orange County Otters for guiding my training and shaping me into the 6'4", 340 LB, tender lovin', pancake stackin, franchise left tackle that you see before you today. A very special thanks to Frost and Cory for all their help, as well as all the captains in the beach. Also to those fellow Fair Rubs all around the league fighting the good fight. It truely has been an incredible journey, and I cannot wait to share the rest of it with you all.
I write this article today, not in an effort to further my fame and fortune, but instead to attempt to inspire future players around the globe, that they to, with hard work and dedication can make it as an athlete despite background and geography. Thats the beauty of the modern game, with how connected the world is, and how widespread the sport is now. There are few good excuses for not making something of yourself if you are dedicated enough. Now, you may be sat reading this and thinking "but Doug, I'm not 6'4", 340lbs" and to you I say, so what? The beauty of football is that there is a position for everyone. Everyone wants to play offensive line, but there are other options. Too skinny? Tight End or Linebacker. Too short? Defensive back or Wide Receiver. Too dumb? Defensive line. Hate fun? Kickers the spot for you.
The point is, the only thing standing between you and a place in the NSFL is your own mentality.
I was born in the town of Dundee, Scotland, which straight away should let you know that my road to where I am today is an interesting one. It defintely began with a love of competition growing up, coupled with being bigger than pretty much every other kid around. My first experience with organised sport was with my local association football club here in Scotland, but it did not take me long to realise that despite playing defence, the lack of physicality in the sport meant that I was poorly suited for it. I transitioned at a young age to playing rugby, at which I excelled. I played rugby throughout my early teens, playing for my local youth team, county youth (state equivalent) and a brief stint with the youth national team. While I loved playing rugby, and still do to an extent. I couldnt help but look folornly at the American Football being played accross the pond in the United States and feel a pang of jealousy due to the pagentry and community built around the sport. Friday night lights seemed like an incredible concept, both for experience while young, and the togetherness it fosters within the community as a whole. It was at this point that I decided I needed a change, and while the sport at the time in the UK did not compete with the pagentry of the sport in it's homeland, it did offer a great chance to develop my game quickly.
Here is where my journey into American football begins in earnest. With the Dundee Hurricanes, a small team in my birthtown of Dundee, Scotland. Ultimately, I was only with the team for one season, where I quickly picked up the craft of playing offensive line. I was quick to dive into some of the more american aspects of the game that are often overlooked here in the UK, and part of that was building up an online profile to try to gather attention from scouts. Fortunately for me, the lower skill level of the game over in the UK allowed for me to put together a relatively impressive highlight reel quickly, and that combined with my athletic measurables, meant a few different colleges got in touch with me. I was ecstatic to recieve a full ride at the University of Notre Dame which really shaped me into the player that I am today. Having access to top tier coaching and training programs brought mt game forward leaps and bounds. Competing with the fighting Irish while getting a degree in mechanical engineering instilled in me a great work ethic that still pays off to this day. Excelling under the regime in college did a lot to prepare me for the pros, and my competitive nature ensured that I had the drive to continue to compete at the next level.
I travelled back home to the UK to be with my family and friends during the draft, while we werent sure where I was going to be picked, or who by, after my team interviews, we were certain it was going to happen. We had a huge party, rented out a bar in town, had caterers serving pancakes by the dozen, and plenty alchohol. It was a great time. I've never had a better feeling than when my phone rang, and the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers were on the other end telling me that they wanted me. There is nothing else like it in this world. Having years of hard work and commitment pay off in the form of a career playing the game you love, and being able to provide for your entire family for the rest of their lives. #46 overall was a great spot to go for someone who had been playing the sport for much less time than most of the competition. I just remember the room being completely silent while I took the call, then erupting with cheers when I hung up. It's safe to say that I don't remember much else that went on that night. We party hard in Scotland.
The move from Indiana to Carolina was a big step for me. I obviously grew up living with my parents, then in dorms at Notre Dame. So uprooting my life again for the second time in just a matter of years was a big thing for me, the key difference this time being, I had 5 million dollars burning a hole in my pocket. I rented a nice apartment overlooking the beach, bought a nice Merc and was ready to begin my new life as a pro athlete. I took to life in Myrtle Beach like a duck to water, smashed training camp, won the job of starting Left Tackle, got some nice new equipment and figured out the best spot to enjoy thast famous Carolina barbeque. (Most people will tell you its Little Pigs Bar-B-Q, but it's not. It's Sweet Carolina's. I'm 340 lbs. Trust me.)
Despite all the turmoil. I took to the DSFL like a duck to water, with the higher level of competition in training every day leading to me getting better than ever. In my first season, I helped the Buccaneers make it all the way to the Ultimini unfortunately coming up short of winning it all. On a personal level I had an incredible first year. Leading the DSFL in pancakes, not allowing a single sack, and winning DSFL Offensive Lineman of the year. It's safe to say that I would have made the pro bowl if it was possible for Offensive lineman to play. I like to think that my vocal opposition to this absurd rule played a large part of remedying this injustice for offensive linemen of the future.
Off the back of my great rookie campaign, it was time to look towards the big leagues and the NSFL draft. After my great season, I expected to go quite high, but I overlooked the leagues inherant prejudices against user OL, and was once again selected #46 overall, by the Orange County Otters, which in hindsight should not have been a surprise, but I was expecting it to be New Orleans Second Line to be the ones to call me, mostly due to a very in depth interview process in which they made clear that they wanted me. But hey, you snooze, you lose, and I will spend the next decade ensuring they know they made a mistake. Orange County has proved to be a great landing spot, and while I am yet to make my first NSFL appearance, their commitment to user offensive line in the future is something that greatly excites me.
Post draft, I was informed that I would be playing a couple more seasons in Myrtle Beach to further hone my craft and prepare for the top level of the sport. This suited me fine, as a relatively new student of the sport, I certainely could use the time to improve my game knowledge. Having the oppurtunity to participate in a NSFL training camp showed me just how much I still have to learn but it's been a great learning oppurtunity, and being able to participate in this each season should be a great learning experience.
My second season in the DSFL was both better and worse than my first, I regressed slightly in pancakes per game, and allowed my first pro sack, but the team here in the Myrtle Beach locker room took me to new heights with an Ultimini victory, taking home the second biggest prize in pro football. It truly was an experience I wont ever forget, and second only to being drafted for the first time. I taught a few teammates how we party in the UK that night.
So, where am I currently, and what are my plans for the future? It's estimated that I will have another season in the DSFL to get myself up to scratch, and I'm looking forward to helping the Buccanneers go back to back. I am currently in the hunt to be the first offensive lineman to get the elusive 69 pancake season, which is the ultimate goal of every offensive lineman in the league. Being the first to get it would cement my legacy for decades to come, and isnt that whats most impprtant in life? How you affect others and the legacy you leave behind? After this season, I'll be looking to help Orange County make a push for the ultimate prize in pro football, the Ultimus, and pay them back for the investment they made drafting me by locking down the blind side of the offensive line for the next decade.
I suppose all thats left for me to do is thank everyone thats helped me get to where I am now, the coaches and players back in Dundee that helped me get started in the sport, Notre Dame University for taking a chance on an unproven, unknown player from Scotland, and to the organisations of both Myrtle Beach Buccanneers and Orange County Otters for guiding my training and shaping me into the 6'4", 340 LB, tender lovin', pancake stackin, franchise left tackle that you see before you today. A very special thanks to Frost and Cory for all their help, as well as all the captains in the beach. Also to those fellow Fair Rubs all around the league fighting the good fight. It truely has been an incredible journey, and I cannot wait to share the rest of it with you all.