The University of the Cumberlands (UC) football team has had a huge amount of success in 2013-14 with numerous awards and accomplishments to speak of.  On Saturday, Terrance Cobb (Knoxville, TN) signed a deal to play in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the first time a Patriot has signed to play in the NFL.  Late Sunday night, Willie Gibson made history for the Patriots, yet again, as he signed to play professionally for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Gibson looks to continue to grow as an athlete in hopes of one day making it to the NFL.  He was a playmaker for the Patriots not only in the passing game, but also in special teams play as a deadly returner.  Gibson holds numerous receiving records for UC including: most catches in a season (46), catches in a career (143), most receiving yards in a career (2,610), most touchdown receptions in a season (10), and most touchdown receptions in a career (31).   Gibson also holds a few special teams' records for UC as he has the most kickoff return yards in a game (173), longest kickoff return for a touchdown (97), and is 1st all-time in kickoff return yards in a career with 1,500 yards and 3 touchdowns scored. 

Many consider the CFL as a farm system for the NFL, as several players have made a remarkable career in the NFL after playing in the CFL.  Current stars of the CFL that now play in the NFL are Cameron Wake of the Miami Dolphins and Brandon Browner previously of the Seattle Seahawks, now the New England Patriots.  Other notables of CFL fame that have gone on to have huge NFL careers are Jeff Garcia, Warren Moon, Doug Flutie, and Joe Theisman. 

The Montreal Alouettes have been one of the premier CFL teams as of late as far as making national news.  The head coach of the Chicago Bears, Marc Trestman, came to the NFL last season after coaching for the Alouettes from 2008 to 2012, winning 2 Grey Cups, the equivalent to the Super Bowl in the CFL.  Also, Willie Gibson will be playing alongside former Cincinnati Bengal standout Chad Johnson, who just signed with the Alouettes 2 months ago.

Gibson commented on being signed by the Alouettes saying, "I'm very excited, humbled, and blessed to continue to play football at the CFL level.  I have worked extremely hard at UC for four years for an opportunity like this."

When asked about how Cumberlands helped him reach this level, he stated, "Playing at UC was a great experience for me and it helped me become the player and the man I am today.  It also showed me that anything is possible, it doesn't matter what division you play, it is just a blessing to be on this stage."

Gibson and Cobb have both proven any player at any level can make it to the top of their professional sport. 

For more information on the Patriots football program along with other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.