:: Euro Ballers ::

Along comes the victories

2012-02-28T02:31:00.000-08:00

So far the season has been a success...weve had our ups and downs but we manage to pull through on all occasions. The first big thing was Jimmie Russell (qb) missing two games with a hand injury, yet we managed to tough it out and pull off two great victories. Thus far we are 4-0 and plan on the succcess to continue. Last week was our first home game and managed to give the fans a good sight with a victory of 35 to 0 versus the giants. So far this season our defense has allowed 6 points per game and 2 takeaways. Cant really ask for anything better than that. This past week our offense started to roll a little more than usual. A great example of how speed kills.

Welcome to Pessac/Bordeaux

2012-01-02T04:41:00.000-08:00

My travels to france was a success minus a few ups and down..lost my baggage for a minute with all my electronics in it...that was quite draining. Other than that my traveling was a success. Upon arrival...Alex the coach picked me up showed me around a bit. Welcomed me to the town gave me a bag full of gifts which gave me a good feeling coming in. On a different side leaving my family and loved ones is always hard. Living one type of lifestyle for six months then another for the other six months is also difficult, but doing what i love to do i figure its worth it.

2012 season.....

2011-10-14T07:02:00.000-07:00

Its been a long thought out process....The oppurtunity to go out and do what I love to do..get paid for it...and travel the world...who would have to think about that decision.. Unfortuneately it was a tough decision ive been going through for the past 3 months. On top of choosing between different teams...a team that ive grown too built relationship with players, coaches, residents of thonon and also the president of the black panthers.. On the business side of it i felt it was best to meet my ex teammate also one of my best friends Jimmie Russell wtih the kangarous in pessac bordeaux, france. Dont know a whole lot about the team but they like to Win and i can get use to that for sure. On top of looking forward to meeting new teammates looks like ill have a good friend in Aurelien Fourgeaud and the rest of the team.
On the flip side with me and Jimmie Rejoining..im hoping we are the tools you need to take it all the way.. theres a lot of positive with that because we have really good chemistry both on and off the field so illl leave it to this...Pessac and bordeaux...get your popcorn ready and lets go win this championship.

Former Southwestern football standout Fred Wells has 'eye-opening' experiences while playing pro football in France

2011-08-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

FLINT, Michigan — Two years of playing professional football in France for the Thonon-les-Bains Black Panthers opened Fred Wells’ eyes to a new world of possibility and afforded an appreciation of who he is and where he came from.

And, not to mention, in just two short years, the 2002 Southwestern grad and former Northern Michigan University football standout was given a lifetime of memories and experiences.

Wells’ rise from a relatively unknown prep recruit to professional wasn’t met without hardships, both in life and athletically. He initially went to Eastern Michigan University, took two years off, ended up at NMU and readied himself for what was on the horizon, which turned out to be pro ball across the Atlantic Ocean.

Now 26, Wells said his time in France was a direct contrast to his experiences in Flint. What was a rollercoaster ride — often in a negative direction — turned into a life of privilege and ease in France.

“When I’m over there, it’s like I appreciate every day,” said Wells. “I know what I went through (growing up). I’m not sure the average person could handle what I went through — my daily, everyday experiences … I’m thankful. I pray every day, and I’m just loving life when I’m over there.”

Scenes like those in Rome and breathtaking views of historical architecture are far cries from most of Flint’s urban settings, which Wells grew accustomed to. Empty lots, boarded-up houses — those were common in his north-side neighborhood.

But he quickly — albeit, not completely — forgot those images when he saw Paris for the first time.

“For example, you go to Paris, you see the Eiffel Tower — it’s a wake-up call,” Wells said. “I would have never imagined I would have ever seen the Eiffel Tower up close and personal.”

Traveling to Italy was also refreshing for Wells, who, even if only briefly, experienced a culture that he could “only read about in history books in school.”

The life of a professional football player was much more than even Wells expected. Although he wasn’t signed to a $1 million contract, he lived quite comfortably in the small French town that his team called home. He was given a company vehicle, something similar to a “baby Hummer,” he said, which had team logos on the outside and team photos and memorabilia inside.

Wells didn’t have to worry about paying rent, because the team’s owners took care of that. Wells was put up in an apartment, given a monthly stipend — which included game bonuses up to 800 Euros, depending on the scenario — and earned approximately 100 Euros per game. Wells said a Euro was near the value of $1.50.

While that may not sound like much, once free meals, transportation and housing were factored into the equation, Wells said he was living the life.

“It’s like the perfect lifestyle,” he said. “You wake up, you travel to a restaurant — everything is paid for. You go eat, and after lunch, it’s whatever we want to do until around 7 p.m. — that’s when dinner is.”

Wells said there were plenty of activities to occupy his time when he wasn’t on the field. Geneva, Switzerland, his “favorite place to go,” was just a 30-minute drive, so he frequently visited the city for entertainment.

To hear how Wells reached near-celebrity status in France is a story in itself. While dining out, children would peek over their booths to get a photo, slyly concealing their cameras underneath their arms to snap a shot of the Black Panthers’ receiver/running back.

“I think every person would love to have something like that happen to them,” Wells said. “It’s always a good feeling to have people appreciate you and what you’re doing.

Welcome back Welcome back

2011-07-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

My 2011 euro experience is pretty much over for the year. THis year i have no regrets with my traveling. Last year i sorta held it over my head because i didnt go as many places as i wanted to. This year was a bit different.I traveled to tourino italy, milan italy. paris a few times..geneva switzerland several times. lausanne,switzerland. pretty much all of the south of france. barcalona spain
.amsterdamn. Out of all the places..id say barcalona, milan was one of the top places to party and amsterdam for some reason stick out as of one the best places overall.. Im not sure if it was because of my well being or whatever it was. By far amsterdam people were the nicest of all the places ive been on top of the canals, wonderful buildings and very interesting people. My top site there ..seeing a group of 7 chinese men smoking weed.was priceless

Today my flight to the states was bit of a happy sad moment..Of course im happy to go home be with my family and friends but yet and im leaving behind the wonderful life that i lived there, a few good friends. In moments like this it makes me wonder what i want to do in my life. But i believe i came to an conclusion. I met a very nice man Fred as well.. a dentist..right away this gentlemen offered to take my blanket for me from the ground, i lost my phone he was more concerned than i was about finding it. Its always a pleasure to run into people like this. We talked awhile and in the short time we talked, i learned a good amount from him

Coming back to the states i had a good amount of time thinking. and i came to my conclusion that whatever i do in life.. I want to help people.. put smiles on people faces.. outside of football thats my passion. This all came to me watching justin beiber tour(movie) the way he touched all of the fans of his.. Made me realise thats what i want to do> I dont need to be rich or famous. Just want to be comfortable in life and change people lives.. maybe change your thoughts about me now so ill let you think and leave on that note..

Seasons over..

2011-06-12T02:59:00.000-07:00

I look back at the season it didnt really go as planned.. our team faced alot of injuries very short on players and lacking the confidence we needed to start and finish games. I felt the team as a whole went into games thinking that the game wouldnt go our way. We had a talented group of guys just really short on players which hurt us in the long wrong because players planning both ways getting banged up throughout the long season. On the otherhand theres a handful of guys on the team that I would go to war with any day.

Now that the season is over..I have a chance to go out and enjoy europe. Travel all around see things id never imagine seeing before. So far I have planned to go to Amsterdamn with my main man foue for a day or two not exactly sure what im going to do there :p but should be good time. Two days later im heading to barcalona with the homie christ bergenski a.k.a (Chris Bergeski) the ID. Should be interesting getting around etc.. We have no plans really except hitting the beach in our Euro fashioned Underwear (pic coming soon)

Win Or Go Home..

2011-05-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

Here we are heading down the final stretch of the season. Playoffs ...just around the corner..Were coming off a tough lost to help our playoff boost, but yet we still have a chance to get in for the french championship. For the european championship we are in the semi- finals ,playing the Serbian Wild Boars May 28th here in Thonon Les Bain. For the french championship we play Amien Spartiates. A victory would give us a fourth seed in the playoffs. Coming down the playoff road is always difficult facing all sorts of injuries, fatigue bodies etc. Me personally im a bit banged up. Hurt my foot in the game in milan, went got xrays came back clean.played last week about 63 percent and it was a struggle. More to come soon..

...observe....

2011-05-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

Entertainment.........

2011-05-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

Team of the week!!!!

2011-05-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

http://elitefoot.blogspot.com/2011/05/lequipe-de-la-semaine.html

week 8 highlights

2011-04-18T01:23:00.000-07:00

brief highlight

2011-03-28T14:38:00.000-07:00

Euroballers in Italy!!!

2011-03-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

Article in french about moi...!!!!!

2011-03-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

http://elitefoot.blogspot.com/2011/03/le-point-elite.html

PICK 6...playing corner

2011-03-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

Team Captains 2011 Black Panthers

2011-02-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

Coaching the youngins

2011-01-16T14:23:00.000-08:00

Fred Wells...FRANCE BLACK PANTHERS Highlight

2010-12-14T15:05:00.001-08:00