Jobs » allowing LaRoche to go around to third. Ian Desmond the

VANCOUVER - Every once in a while, Delvin Breaux walks out of a store only to be stopped when the anti-theft detection system goes off.The Hamilton Tiger-Cat defensive back always has the required receipt. But he also walks around with a tangle of metal screws, rods and plates after breaking his neck in 2006 playing high school football in Louisiana.Breaux is more than the Ticats shutdown corner. He is a study in courage and perseverance.Great player. Better man, said Hamilton special teams and linebackers coach Jeff Reinebold.A highly recruited 17-year-old, Breaux was headed for NCAA glory when his life slid off the rails in a game between his McDonogh 35 High School and Jesuit High in New Orleans. Racing down the left sideline on special teams, Breaux angled towards the kick returner and, cutting round the corner of the five-man wall, launched himself at the ball-carrier like an Exocet missile.Later at the hospital, he was told he had broken his C4, C5, C6 vertebrae and an artery had been partially blocked by a chopped bone. His doctor told him he should be dead.Eight years later, the 25-year-old Breaux is a CFL Eastern all-star in his second year in the league. On Sunday, he has a second shot at the Grey Cup, with only the Calgary Stampeders in his way.Im thankful just for the opportunity to be here, he said Thursday. And to be alive.Breaux knows his story is inspiring, and hes willing to share it. But his preference is not to dwell on the past.I dont like to be reminded of what happened, because I could have been dead, he said.His journey back was long and hard. The injury cost him his football career at LSU, one of a plethora of top schools to offer him a scholarship, and sent him to some dark places.The moments when I didnt have anywhere to go. The moments when I could see myself not being the person I wanted to be, he recalled.Breaux credits his faith and fiancee Kasey for helping him get back on track. He gradually built back his body and signed on with the semi-pro Louisiana Bayou Vipers in 2012 just to get some game film (shot by Kasey) to show scouts.In reality, there was almost nothing pro about the Gridiron Developmental Football League. It was disorganized and Breaux played for free. But he saw it as a chance to resume pursuing his dream.Its not about money, its not about chasing girls, said Breaux. Its about having passion for the game or having passion for what you like to do. To play the game for free after breaking your neck, man I think thats inspiring.Breaux worked out in front of pro scouts in San Antonio, turning heads by running 40 yards in 4.35 seconds and covering receivers like a glove.CFL scouts were interested but the level of competition in his prized semi-pro game film did not wow them. Someone suggested he tried Arena Football and, after a brief stint with the New Orleans VooDoo, he signed in Hamilton as a free agent in May 2013.Today the six-foot-one 196-pounder is a key member of the Ticat defence, usually tasked with shutting down star receivers. In the Eastern final, he kept Als wideout Duron Carter under wraps for close to three quarters. Carter, who hauled in 75 passes for 1,030 yards during the regular season, finished with three catches for 25 yards.The Breaux show is winning rave reviews.Im just super proud of Delvin, said Hamilton defensive co-ordinator Orlondo Steinauer. Hes in just his second year and to me he had the same type of year last year. He just had some injuries and wasnt getting any recognition.Hes a guy whos not going to have a lot of stats. Hes just going to have tight coverage a majority of the time.Hes definitely a stud, added Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros. I know our guys do not like playing against him in practice. Hes a very physical corner. He covers well, he runs well.Breaux acknowledges he has a lot to be thankful for these days. He is living his dream. And when someone recognizes him in Hamilton, he sees it as proof he is a role model and doing something positive with his life.Not surprisingly, Breaux keeps what happens on the field in perspective. He says losing the championship game to Saskatchewan last year was difficult. But he dealt with the disappointment.On the plane ride home I was thinking about it, he said. But at a point in time you just have to get over it. The game is over with and you just have to work on next season.Breaux says his neck is 100 per cent these days, although he works hard at maintaining the strength in that area. He is reminded of what happened daily, however, via the scars on the front and back of his neck.Still the day his life almost faded to black is behind him.Theres nothing but light in front of me.Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter Jaromir Jagr Jersey . Stepanek gave the Czech Republic its second straight Davis Cup title Sunday, sweeping past Dusan Lajovic in straight sets in the fifth and decisive match to secure a 3-2 win over Serbia in the final. Shayne Gostisbehere Flyers Jersey . Thornton emerged as one of the leagues best defensive ends against the run in 2013. The former undrafted free agent from Division II Southern Arkansas led Philadelphias linemen with 78 tackles and had one sack. http://www.hockeyflyersauthentic.com/samuel-morin-jersey/ . -- Jake Peavy arrived at Bostons spring training complex on Monday with a large white bandage covering his left index finger, the result of a weekend accident. Bobby Clarke Flyers Jersey . For the Bombers it has been a combination of things coming together at the most inappropriate moments in time. Quarterback, injuries, Canadian talent or depth and leadership are all issues. Trust me when I say being a Bomber is no fun right now in a city that embraces football the way Winnipeg does. While Buck Pierce will be getting another shot, I think Max Hall does deserve another opportunity. Michael Raffl Flyers Jersey .J. -- The New York Jets have promoted Tony Sparano Jr.WASHINGTON -- Marlon Byrd hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth inning, Roberto Hernandez pitched eight strong innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 Friday night. Grady Sizemore and Cody Asche had two hits apiece for Philadelphia. Hernandez (6-8) allowed an unearned run on five singles. He retired the last 10 batters he faced and 17 of the last 18. Over his last four starts, Hernandez is 3-0 with a 1.88 earned run average, including two wins against Washington while allowing no earned runs over 15 1-3 innings. Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his 26th save. He allowed a pair of one-out singles before striking out Bryce Harper and Nationals newcomer Asdrubal Cabrera. NL-East leading Washington has lost four of five. Doug Fister (10-3) took his first loss since June 15, allowing two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked two, and has allowed three runs or fewer in 13 of his 15 starts. Byrd struck out his first two times against Fister before sending an 0-1 pitch to the opposite field with two outs in the sixth for his 21st homer. The Phillies took the lead in the second. Sizemore hit a deep drive to left and Harper raced back, got a glove on it at the warning track, but didnt make the catch.dddddddddddd Sizemore ended up with a double and scored on Asches single. Washington tied it in the bottom of the inning after a Philadelphia error. Adam LaRoche led off and hit an infield pop-up. Hernandez and third baseman Asche had a play on it, but the ball dropped between them. Asche picked it up and threw wildly to first, allowing LaRoche to go around to third. Ian Desmond then bounced a single up the middle to score LaRoche. TRAINERS ROOM Phillies: Cliff Lee was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain and the team recalled left-hander Cesar Jimenez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Lee will be examined by the team doctor Saturday. Manager Ryne Sandberg said he was considering starting left-handed hitting outfielder Dominic Brown against righty Fister, but Brown was suffering from a sore throat and fever. ON DECK: Nationals: Jordan Zimmermann (6-5, 3.17) makes his fifth try for his 50th career win Saturday. He allowed four runs over 3 1-3 innings in loss at Philadelphia on July 11. Phillies: A.J. Burnett (6-10, 4.15) looks to rebound from last start, when he allowed seven runs in five innings against the New York Mets on Monday. His last win came July 11 against the Nationals and Zimmermann. ' ' '