Behind IDFFL, Canadian players chase football dreams

With financial support from Topolinski, Cannon will help the next group of Canadians with American football dreams. Cannon grew up in Stone Mountain, Ga., and

IDFFL coaches Anthony Cannon (left) and Jordan Younger help Canadian players attract recruiting buzz :: Andy Staples/SI

With financial support from Topolinski, Cannon will help the next group of Canadians with American football dreams. Cannon grew up in Stone Mountain, Ga., and played linebacker at Tulane before spending three seasons with the Detroit Lions. After the Lions cut him, Cannon crossed the border, playing for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts in 2011. Cannon remained in Toronto after his career ended. There, he found an underdeveloped youth football system and high schools unequipped to help players navigate the NCAA's initial eligibility rules.

Gina Topolinski footed most of the $15,000 bill to get the IDFFL team to Florida for a 7-on-7 tournament :: Andy Staples/SI

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