Auction winner ready for chance to play

~ Canadian man will suit up for special teams in the first quarter when St. Louis' team plays on June 23.

ST. LOUIS -- Danny Massier may be the world's biggest fan of the National Indoor Football League. He often makes road trips to games from his home in Saskatchewan, Canada, even collects game-worn jerseys.

The next one will be his own.

Massier, a 43-year-old steel company clerk, bid $1,326 in an Ebay auction to win the right to suit up for St. Louis' entry in the 22-team league in a June 23 home game against the Tennessee Riversharks.

Massier's winning bid entitles him to a one-game contract, practice time with the team, 20 tickets and honorary captain status.

And, yes, he'll get to play. As part of the deal, Massier will be part of the kickoff coverage team throughout the first quarter.

"I want to go down and stick my nose in there and try to get in on the tackle," Massier said. "It's my 15 minutes of fame -- literally, it is 15 minutes."

Massier and his mother often travel to the United States to see games live -- the league runs from mid-March through early July.

He follows the NFL and Canadian Football League, too, but prefers the up-close feel of the indoor game.

Talk about getting up close.

"My mom is a little bit worried about me getting hurt, but she thinks it's fabulous," Massier said. "She knows how much I love this game."

Massier hasn't played organized tackle football since before high school, though he often finds himself at receiver in neighborhood touch football games.

At 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds, he's all but certain he'll be the slowest guy on the field -- the indoor league may not be the NFL or even the Arena Football League, but many of the players were collegiate standouts.

A league spokesman said the NIFL has no rules about how a team fills its game-day roster.

Players are normally paid $200 per game, but Massier will not be paid.

To prepare for his shot at glory, Massier has continued his normal workout regimen -- lunchtime games of floor hockey.

Rage spokesman Allen Gossett has been in frequent contact with Massier and described him as "stoked."

"He is ready to roll," Gossett said. "He wants to get out there and take his lumps."

Massier has already told the Rage he wants to buy the helmet and pads so his entire uniform can join his collection of NIFL memorabilia.

"I'll have the ultimate game-used jersey -- one with my name on my back," he said.