Juan Joseph

Juan Joseph (August 26, 1987 – November 16, 2014) was a professional Arena football quarterback who also played Americanand Canadian football. He last played for the Lafayette Wildcatters of the 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.

Early years

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

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. He attended Millsaps along with high school teammate Denarold Anderson.

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.

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. Joseph was for the third consecutive year the SCAC player of the year. 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. He was also a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy.

Joseph played in 38 games for the Majors from 2005–2008, 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. 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.

Professional career

Edmonton Eskimos

Joseph was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos in March 2009.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Joseph was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Kitwana Jones on May 15, 2009. 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

Early on the morning of November 16, 2014, Joseph was leaving Allure nightclub in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with two friends, when the group became involved in a verbal altercation with another group of men in a vehicle. A gun was fired from inside the vehicle, with two shots hitting Joseph in the chest. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Family

Joseph was married with a young daughter and a second child due just weeks after his death. 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, and led the Jaguars to a 9-4 record and a SWAC championship as a senior in 2013.