Dallas Cowboys rookie Phillip Tanner is trying to make the leap from the concession stand to the locker room.
The former Middle Tennessee running back grew up working at a stand at the old Texas Stadium. He did it to raise money for his high school track team in Dallas.
"I sold hot dogs, pizza, the big nachos, I sold everything," Tanner told The Dallas Morning News. "I can't wait to do whatever it takes to earn a star on my helmet."
Injuries to Cowboys backs Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray will give Tanner that chance. He expects to see some time Thursday night when Dallas opens its preseason schedule against the Denver Broncos.
Tanner was a fifth-round draft choice earlier this year by the Hartford Colonials of the UFL. When the league announced plans to delay the season last month, he was unsure whether he'd be playing football this season. His question was answered soon after the lockout ended when his hometown NFL team called and invited him to training camp.
"All I can say is it's truly a blessing," Tanner told the newspaper.
If he makes it, pretzels, nachos and Diet Coke at Cowboys Stadium should be on the house.
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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.
