Semi-Pro Football Team Builds Comraderie on and off Field

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Capt. Tomas Akers of Springfield holds a half-time huddle with his defensive team. Akers, commander of the 1844th Transportation Company in Quincy.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/31/2011)(readMedia)-- On a cold spring day, 16 men gather on the field to wage battle. Some of them have waged battle overseas, but today they wage battle yard-by-yard, touchdown-by-touchdown, in a game called football.

The Capital City Outlaws, a semi-pro football team, is not just a group of men playing football, but is tied to a greater heritage, a military heritage.

The team is co-owned by three Illinois Army National Guardsmen; Col. Chris Lawson, Lt. Col. Alex Lawson, and Capt. Tomas Akers. But it goes further than just the owners; there are four Illinois Guardsmen playing on the team. With the team playing by Eight Man Football League (8FL) rules, they make up half of an eight-man team.

"For many of the players, it's a chance to continue their dream of playing football," said Akers of Springfield who commands the 1844th Transportation Company in Quincy. "Many played through high school, college, and some have even played Arena and Division 1. This allows them to teach others what they have learned and continues that dream of playing."

The Outlaws, part of the 8FL, fall under one of two leagues, the National Conference, and run an eight-man line, offensively and defensively. They follow many of the rules of the NFL with a few differences, such as shorter field and 12 minute quarters.

For some, playing football and coaching is something that just comes naturally. Both Chris and Alex said they grew up knowing football. Their father, Leland Lawson, was a professional player with the L.A. Rams. They spent their childhood years watching, eating and essentially breathing football.

"Playing football and now owning a team is what we know," said Lt. Col. Lawson, who commands the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery of Chicago. "Our father told us we had to play to go to college. Our father played, we played and now we teach others to play."

Spc. Darius Miller, an Outlaw player from New Berlin, said he loves getting out on the field and playing football.

"I don't play because I want to get paid or famous. I play because I love the game," said Miller. "Being part of the team, knowing Capt. Akers, and the friends I have made, (has) helped me to make a decision to re-enlist with the Guard. I cannot think of doing anything else."

The Outlaws were not always the Outlaws. The team was created in 1991 as the Springfield Statesmen and in 1992 to 2005 changed its name to the Springfield Buccaneers with the Mid-Continental League. When they joined the 8FL in 2005 it switched names once more to the Capital City Outlaws. But playing football is more than just a team sport on the field. It also plays a large role in the military life of the players.

"The team structure on the field is also carried over to our daily job for the Guard," said Sgt. Jae Russell of Springfield, an administrative assistant with Joint Forces Headquarters. "Structure is the biggest benefit on and off the field. The military plays a strong role in leadership. I draw on my military experience and time on the football field to help me stay level-headed in times of pressure."