The Georgia Firebirds, located in Tifton, have been helping players further their playing careers for three years now.

For some players that just means playing minor league football with the Firebirds. Others have been able to move on to earn a spot on college rosters.

In the past few months six players were selected to be members of Team USA. Those players will help spread the game of American football to developing countries, or just countries who have never played before.

The Firebirds will now be able to put another name on to the growing list of players who have benefited from playing minor league football.

Torrey Edwards, a 2008 graduate of Colquitt County and a former player for the Packers, has signed to play with the West Texas Roughnecks, an arena football team based out of Odessa, Texas.

Edwards, an offensive lineman, played with the Firebirds this past season, helping lead them to the first-ever Georgia Peanut Bowl. That helped qualify the team to play in the national championship, a game that they lost, 20-6.

“I gathered some stats and highlights from this past season and sent it to their coach. A couple days later he called me and offered me a spot on the team,” said Edwards.

This season was Edwards’ first with the team. It was also his first year playing since playing for the Packers.

The Roughnecks have been playing football since 2004.

Their best season was in 2006 when they went 12-2 and won the Intense Football League Championship.

Last season the Roughnecks joined the Indoor Football League and posted an 8-8 record.

Their playoff game with Amarillo was the first nationally televised Indoor Football League game. Amarillo would knock West Texas out of the playoffs in that game.

Edwards will be looking to help the Roughnecks improve and repeat their success of 2006.

He will travel to Texas in March, with training camp starting Mar. 15.