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IFL Bay Area Panthers

Panthers Sign Tackling Machine LB Chrys Lane

January 31, 2024 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release


Tackling machine linebacker Chrys Lane looks to make a similar impact in the IFL after signing with the Bay Area Panthers.

"Chrys had enormous tackle production in college, posting 317 tackles," said Panthers' Head Coach Rob Keefe. "His instincts are the key to his game, as he always seems to be in the middle of the action and his athletic ability allows him to be a weapon of disruption."

Coming from Division II Shepherd University, Lane is focused on showing that big-time talent can come from a small school. He has inspiration in former college teammate Tyson Bagent. The quarterback set the career D2 passing record on his way to winning the Harlan Hill trophy. He parlayed that success into making four starts for the Chicago Bears in 2023.

"It means a lot to me because I saw him grow up over three years together," said Lane. "We competed and did conditioning all the time and to see him make it added a lot more fuel to my fire."

Lane carved out his own niche at Shepherd, four times named all-conference, twice All-Region and one time being named All-American. He takes pride in those achievements considering what he was going through in his personal life. Over his entire college career, Lane was struggling through a custody battle for his daughter, Memory-a battle he eventually won.

"I did all that with the support of my family, having to juggle class and going to court," said Lane. "Going through that made me a better person and I was fighting for something more than just me. I spread myself thin but could still be there for the people I love."

Before joining the Panthers, Lane did his homework and relied on trustworthy sources. Lane was a high school teammate of Bay Area DB Tyrone Cromwell and played in college with defensive back Ponce de Leon, who joined the Panthers late in last season's championship run.

"They both said if things don't work out with the NFL, go on and play indoor," said Lane. "As I was doing my NFL workouts, they said give it a try, so I ended up connecting with Coach Keefe later on that year."

After college, Lane had workouts with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants of the NFL before sessions with the USFL and CFL. While he checked off necessary boxes in drills, the consensus was that he needed more game film. That feedback brought him to the Panthers.

"I look forward to being the best teammate possible, making plays and being a game-changer," said Lane. "Watching the games from last year and the way those guys fly around, I want to a part of that atmosphere and an X-factor Coach Keefe can bring to the table."

Lane is in the process of earning his master's degree at the same time finding satisfaction in being a middle school teacher in the off-season. It's a way to give back to someone who needed support at the same age.

"Around that time in my life, I needed guidance so I wanted to grow up into a person kids of that age can go to," said Lane. "The only thing that kept my head on straight at that time was football. I was getting suspended and fighting all the time."

As he struggled at school, Lane became a student of the game. During detention, the NFL Network was the only thing on television, and he was in awe of legends like Deacon Jones, Ronnie Lot and Michael Irvin. Lane remembers wearing Irvin's number 88 as he played defensive end in youth football. However, life changed forever when he watched stories of the '85 Chicago Bears and wide-eyed middle linebacker Mike Singletary.

"I respect the mindset he established for guys like Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis," said Lane. "At that time, I thought If I could get a sprinkle of that in my life, that would be great. That's the style of player I am and try to be on the field."



Indoor Football League Stories from January 31, 2024


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