NFL Jets sign player who carried sign seeking work

Joe Anderson, a would-be NFL receiver who stood outside a stadium with a sign last month asking for a job, has been signed to the New York Jets' practice squad.

Anderson took his NFL job plea to Instagram as well as outside the home stadium of the Houston Texans seeking NFL work, trying to attract the attention of clubs that might need late-season help.

"Not homeless -- but STARVING for success. Will run routes 4 food," read the hand-drawn message on the cardboard sign Anderson carried last month and in the social media photo he posted.

NFL practice squad players are not eligible to play in games but any club can sign a player from any team's practice squad.

Anderson played nine games over two seasons with the NFL Chicago Bears in 2012 and 2013 and the 27-year-old Texan spent time on Philadelphia's practice squad last year.

Now he is reunited with former Bears teammate Brandon Marshall, a star receiver for the Jets. Anderson posted a photo of the two of them together at a Jets workout.

"I'm so very grateful from the bottom of my heart of the entire @nyjets organization for taking a chance on a kid with literally just a couple dollars and a dream and a heart to prove to others who give up on themselves in life that it's truly possible!" Anderson posted on his Instagram site with the photo.
Source: AFP