An Iowa Barnstormer is moving up.
If you’ve lived in Iowa, it’s a story that is all too familiar.
Isame Faciane first Barnstormer to tread CFL Waters in 2018
Wherever you go, no matter a grocery store or a trip to the mall, if you mention the name, “Kurt Warner,” you’ll hear about the same story.
Kurt Warner came out of Northern Iowa as an undrafted quarterback, and would make his name by playing for the Iowa Barnstormers and bagging groceries at HyVee.
After leading Iowa to not one, but two championship game performances, Warner was able to go on to the NFL, where he would go on to win two NFC championships and a Super Bowl.
He is, by far, the most famous Iowa Barnstormer of all time.
Now, Isame Faciane wants to put his name right up there with Warner’s.
Faciane has signed with the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Toronto Argonauts, along with two other United States players classified as international.
“That’s what this league is all about,” Barnstormers coach Dixie Wooten said. “[We’re] getting these guys in here, working hard, and getting noticed by NFL [and CFL] teams.”
Although this is the first player Wooten and co. have sent to higher waters this season, he knows how big it is to send a player to the CFL.
“Its huge,” Wooten said. “You want to show what we’re doing here, is the right way. When scouts see these guys on film and think they are doing a great job, that speaks volumes for our coaching staff.”
Faciane captained the offensive line for the Barnstormers, and will be replaced by veteran Ken Van Heule.
“Isame was an all-around NFL guy,” Wooten said. “He was dedicated to working hard every day. He was focused when he stepped on the field. The way he played, he would make everyone else play better around them.”
Faciane could potentially make his debut with the Toronto Argonauts will play their first pre-season game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday, June 1. It will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT.
