Juan Joseph

Juan Joseph (August 26, 1987 – November 16, 2014) was a professional Arena football quarterback who also played American and Canadian football. He last played for the Lafayette Wildcatters of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL). He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Millsaps Majors. He was also a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Juan Joseph
No. 7
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born:(1987-08-26)August 26, 1987
Jefferson, Louisiana, U.S.
Died:November 16, 2014(2014-11-16) (aged 27)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Edgard (LA) West Saint John
College:Millsaps
Undrafted:2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 3× SCAC Player of the Year (2006–2008)

Early years

Joseph attended West Saint John Parish High School in Edgard, Louisiana,[1] where he was a member of the Rams 2003 and 2004 Class 2A State Championship teams.[1] While in high school, he was a teammate of future LSU and NFL players Tyson Jackson and Quinn Johnson. In high school, he played baseball, basketball and football, trying out for the football team in his sophomore year.

College career

Joseph played collegiately for the Millsaps College Majors of the NCAA's Division III. He was offered a full scholarship at Alcorn State University, but chose Millsaps because he wanted to attain a degree from a school with a nationally recognized business program.

In 2005, his first year at Millsaps, Joseph split playing time as a backup quarterback. The Majors finished 2–7 on the year.

As a sophomore in 2006, Joseph led a resurgence of the Majors' struggling program, under the tutelage of new head coach Mike DuBose, formerly the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Majors finished with a 7–4 record (6–0 in conference play), claiming the program's third SCAC title and second-ever playoff berth. Joseph was named the conference's player of the year.[2]

In 2007, Joseph again led the Majors to a SCAC title, the team finishing with an 8–2 record. He was again named the conference's player of the year.

As a senior in 2008, Joseph led the Majors to the second best season in the program's history. The team finished 11–1 and ranked #12 nationally in the D3football.com poll, after peaking at #3 during the season.[3] Joseph was for the third consecutive year the SCAC player of the year.[2] He also won the Conerly Trophy, given annually to the best college football player in the state of Mississippi, edging out fellow finalists and future first-round NFL Draft selections Michael Oher and Peria Jerry.[4] He was also a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy.[2][5]

Joseph played in 38 games for the Majors from 2005 to 2008, amassing 9,295 passing yards (244.6/game) and 87 passing touchdowns (2.3/game) compared to 27 interceptions, and completing 814 of 1,283 pass attempts (63.4%). He also rushed for 537 yards and 8 touchdowns on 161 attempts. During his tenure, the Majors accumulated a 28–14 overall win-loss record, including a 20–6 record in conference play, three SCAC title's and two playoff appearances.[6][7] Joseph's priority while at college was not to play professionally. A good student, he admitted it would be nice, but this was not one of his goals.[1]

Professional career

Edmonton Eskimos

Joseph was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos in March 2009.[2][6][8]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Joseph was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders[3] for Kitwana Jones on May 15, 2009.[9] He was cut on June 25, 2009.

Lafayette Wildcatters

Joseph joined the Lafayette Wildcatters two days prior to the start of the 2010 SIFL season. The team began the year 1–4 before Joseph became the starter. With Joseph at the helm, the team soared to a 5–1 turnaround, achieving a winning season and a playoff berth.

Death

In the early morning hours of November 16, 2014, Joseph attempted to de-escalate a verbal altercation between two groups of men outside of the Allure nightclub in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Joseph's efforts were unsuccessful, and he was shot twice in the torso. He succumbed to his injuries after being taken to nearby Baton Rouge Hospital. Before his death Joseph was an assistant football coach at West St. John High School in Edgard, Louisiana.[10][11]

Family

Joseph was married with a young daughter and a second child due just weeks after his death.[12] His younger brother, Dray Joseph, was also a quarterback at West Saint John, and played collegiately for Southern University, where he became the school's all-time leading passer with 8,745 yards and 73 touchdowns,[13] and led the Jaguars to a 9–4 record and a SWAC championship as a senior in 2013.[12]

References
  1. Clericuzio, Natalie (20 August 2008). "Juan Joseph". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  2. "Juan Joseph". NFLDraftScout. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  3. McCormick, Murray (3 June 2009). "Roughriders quarterback Juan Joseph adjusting to Canadian game". Leader-Post. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  4. "Joseph, Jerry Win Cellular South Conerly Trophy and Fans' Choice Award". CellularSouth. 2 December 2008. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  5. "Millsaps' Juan Joseph Named Gagliardi Trophy Regional Finalist". SCAC. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  6. "Eskimos Sign Quarterback Prospect Juan Joseph". TSN. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  7. "Juan Joseph, Millsaps College". SCAC. 8 September 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  8. "Conerly Recipient Turns Pro". Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  9. "Riders swap Kitwana Jones for Eskimos QB Juan Joseph". CBC. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  10. Bethencourt, Daniel; McKinney, Matt (November 16, 2014). "West St. John community mourns death of coach slain outside Baton Rouge nightclub". The Advocate (Louisiana). Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  11. Young, Renita (November 16, 2014). "Police searching for suspects in fatal shooting of West St. John High School football coach". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  12. Young, Renita. "West St. John High School community to honor fallen football coach at Friday's playoff game." NOLA.com. 18 November 2014.
  13. Dray Joseph – Southern University Jaguars – College Football – Rivals.com
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