Hartford Colonial Player Signs with Eagles
Published on December 24, 2010 under United Football League (UFL 1)
Hartford Colonials News Release
Cornerback Gerard Lawson, a cornerback who played for the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League in 2010, signed a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and was added to the 53-man roster.
Lawson is the 12th player from the Colonials to sign with an NFL team, the most of any UFL team. He is one of five former Colonials players signed to an active roster. The other seven players were signed to NFL practice squads.
Lawson could see action Sunday night when the Eagles play the Vikings, who signed former Colonials running back Lorenzo Booker on Dec. 7. Minnesota has used Booker mainly as a kick return specialist, a role Lawson had with the Colonials.
Lawson signed with the Colonials on Sept. 26 and made an immediate impact. In his first game Oct. 9 against Florida, he intercepted a pass by Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger and return it 41 yards for a touchdown.
On special teams, Lawson amassed 483 yards on 23 kickoff returns for an average of 21. His longest return was 43 yards. As a cornerback, Lawson registered eight total tackles and defended three passes in six games with the Colonials.
Lawson, 25, praised the caliber of play in the UFL.
"It was real good," Lawson said. "You're playing with big caliber people who know how to play the game. You learn a lot more in the UFL than you do on a practice squad or something like that because it's game-time experience and it's full speed and tackling. You get to work on all that and still be competing. It was a real good experience."
He added, "If you're not able to make it on a NFL team, it's a good way to get exposure. That's how it worked for me."
Lawson, who played at Oregon State, was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as a free agent following the 2008 NFL Draft. He played 20 games over the next two seasons with the Browns, mostly on special teams.
Hartford Colonials players signed by NFL teams following the UFL regular season
PLAYER TRANSACTION DATE
OL Colin Brown Signed to Baltimore practice squad Nov. 23
DE Derek Walker Signed to Seattle practice squad Nov. 24
OT Jacob Bender Signed to Washington practice squad Nov. 24
RB Lorenzo Booker Signed to Minnesota 53-man roster Dec. 7
TE Tyson DeVree Signed to Cleveland practice squad Dec. 7
S Quintin Demps Signed to Houston 53-man roster Dec. 7
WR Pat Carter Signed to Miami practice squad Dec. 8
S Emanuel Cook Signed to Jets 53-man roster Dec. 8
LB Simoni Lawrence Signed to Chicago practice squad Dec. 15
OL Colin Brown Signed to Buffalo 53-man roster (off Ravens PS) Dec. 15
CB Ben Hannula Signed to Giants practice squad Dec. 16
LB Kenny Ingram Signed to Giants practice squad Dec. 16
CB Gerard Lawson Signed to Eagles 53-man roster Dec. 24
United Football League Stories from December 24, 2010
- Hartford Colonial Player Signs with Eagles - Hartford Colonials
- Lawson Signs with Eagles - Hartford Colonials
- Tuskers DE Signs with Washington Redskins - Florida Tuskers
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