In these uncertain economic times it is not unusual to find a 24-year-old, post college adult living with their parents, eating them out of house and home as they struggle to either find employment or find employment that pays enough to move out.
It is, however, quite unusual to find an NFL player bunking up with mom and dad. But to be fair, everything about Joe Callahan is unusual.
Callahan was invited to Packers camp last year as an undrafted free agent after finishing up a stellar career at Wesley College.
Despite picking apart defenses for four straight years in college, hanging 40 and 50 and 60 points on teams in his pre-pro career, the expectations weren't exactly sky high. Wesley College is a Division III school and Callahan is, by NFL standards, undersized as a quarterback at 6'1".
In a John Russo article from "The Press of Atlantic City" this week, Callahan talked about the challenge of last year's preseason saying, "Everything is a competition, from drills to practice reps to team reps."
However steep the learning curve, Callahan seemed to be able to handle the adjustment from Division III ball to the pros just fine.
Green Bay turned out to be the perfect place to make a mark for Callahan. All world two time MVP Aaron Rodgers doesn't take many preseason snaps at this point, and after backup quarterback Brett Hundley got injured in the preseason, Callahan got some serious time under center in live game action.
He took advantage, throwing for 499 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no picks in parts of four preseason games. It was good enough to nab the third-string quarterback job and make the 53-man roster in week one.
Staying at home this summer in Absecon, New Jersey is probably a prudent move. After making the opening day roster last year, Callahan was waived three times.
Initially the crafty QB suited up for the Packers, then the Saints, then the Packers again, so it is safe to say he doesn't exactly have job security. He also isn't some high draft pick with a big time signing bonus.
What he does have is an impressive set of skills that continue to get him NFL attention and a good sense of humor about articles like this one that point out his living situation.
I don't have any friends either incase you were wondering pic.twitter.com/AHVB3gRvRe
— Joe Callahan (@JoeCallahan4) July 7, 2017
As we head into training camp this year, Callahan will again be fighting for a roster spot with Green Bay. The Packers have brought in former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill to create a bit of competition for the three spot. It's a battle Callahan is determined to win.
After a year of uncertainty, the fleet of foot pass thrower wants to plant his flag here in Wisconsin.
"I mean, as crazy as it was, it was exciting to kind of get experience in different places," he then added "but I'd really like to stay put this time and stay here in Green Bay," Callahan said previously.
Joe Callahan is a great American success story, an underdog who makes good, but that story isn't going to be enough to secure him a spot on the 53-man roster.
To do that he's going to have to prove he's the man for the job on the field, in practice, with every preseason snap he gets.
His style is exciting and the fan base seems to be rooting for him, heck we should all be rooting for him, if for no other reason than to get him out of his parents house once and for all.
