By REED DESALVO

The Natchez Democrat

AURORA, Col. — Brian Isaac can finally call himself a professional football player.

The former Natchez High School star recently signed a contract with the Colorado Charge, an indoor professional football team in Aurora.

“It’s been a long journey,” Isaac said. “Never give up on your dreams. Always continue to chase them.”

The signing culminates what has been a long ride for the former Bulldog standout, one filled with many twists and turns along the way.

Following his stint at Natchez High, Isaac signed with Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where he helped lead the Wolfpack to a 9-3 record in 2012 and its first MACJC title since 1985.

In that season, Isaac finished third on the team with 77 tackles and recorded a pair of interceptions.

“Coming from a junior college, the odds are against you,” Isaac said.

He then transferred to Tennessee-Martin, where he played sparingly before graduating in 2014.

“It was a learning experience,” Isaac said of his time as a Skyhawk.

Isaac then moved back to Natchez where he served as a jailer Adams-County, a position he said helped him become a critical thinker and mold him into the person he is today.

“That was a wild experience,” Isaac said. “You’ll see family members, friends and classmates around there. It was good, but it was also bad. The people in your neighborhood would call you ‘Officer Isaac.’ I just tried to help (them) as much and be a positive person around them, and tell them this isn’t the place for people to be in.”

Still chasing after his dream of becoming a professional football player, Isaac moved to Aurora in August and began trying out for various football teams. While searching for a franchise to latch on to, Isaac showed off his skills in a local Christian flag-football team.

“I had to grow up,” Isaac said. “I was always lost, and I just started to be productive again.”

In October, Isaac showcased his skills at a Charge tryout. Competing against a slew of a number of talented standouts, the Natchez proved to be one of the top performers, and was informed on Nov. 11, his birthday, he would be invited back for the team’s min-camp. A few weeks after that, Isaac signed his first professional contract.

Isaac said he plans to be a fixture on both sides of the ball for the Charge as a wide receiver and defensive back, in addition to serving as the team’s kick and punt returner.

Despite limited playing time as a wide receiver, Isaac said he feels confident his experience as a defensive back will help him make a smooth transition to the offensive side.

“I know the disadvantages of being a (defensive back),” he said. “I know how to count a (defensive back’s) steps, or how they line up inside or outside (of the receiver). So I know how to break my release, or shorten my route down, or run even longer.”

The Colorado Charge is in its inaugural season and is not associated with any league. The Charge are slated to play five games this upcoming season against teams from neighb indoor leagues, The Charge will kick off their season March 19 against the Windy City Ravens.

“It’s going to feel to get out there,” Isaac said. “It’s going to be exciting. To be able to play on both sides of the ball and just be an asset to the team, I’m looking forward to it.”