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RENTON, Wash. -- Despite urging from family members to seek a job in the real word, Troymaine Pope continued to hold out hope for an NFL opportunity.A tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs in May didnt yield a contract offer. Instead, the former Jacksonville State running back returned home to Anniston, Alabama, far from the practice fields of an NFL team. Finally, he gave in and interviewed to work at a car factory.Then his phone rang.With injuries mounting early in training camp, the Seattle Seahawks needed help at running back. They gave Pope the opportunity he had been holding out hope for.They called me and I just like, oh man, starting broke down crying like its a blessing. It was Gods plan, Pope said.Pope is trying to make his stay with Seattle a long one. He has been one of the unexpected stars during Seattles first two preseason games. Pope rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. He also scored the winning two-point conversion against the Chiefs in the Seahawks preseason opener.I aint ever going to get past this game, Pope said. This is something I love. My family was trying to convince me to get a job. I took a long time to even attempt for a job because this is what I wanted to do.With a three year-old daughter, Cassidy, at home, Pope began looking for jobs outside football. He had attended an orientation at a factory that works on cars and builds tools earlier that day.It was like hard labor, he said. I didnt really want to work the job, but I had to provide for my daughter so I was willing to do anything for her.Pope was on his way to pick up his car from the shop with his mother when the Seahawks called to give him the job offer he wanted.In three weeks with the team, hes made an impression in practice and the teams two preseason games.Im not surprised, head coach Pete Carroll said of Popes performance against Minnesota. I really thought we saw some stuff in practice that showed us the special quickness that he has. Hes very elusive. He has a good burst and a good sense.Popes chances of making Seattles roster remain slim. The Seahawks drafted three running backs -- C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins and Zac Brooks -- to compete with Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael for three, maybe four, spots on the teams 53-man roster. Hamstring injuries to Prosise and Brooks led the Seahawks to give Pope a chance.Prosise and Brooks are now returning to full health. Rawls is getting close to full speed after beginning camp on the physically unable to perform list, and Michael has finally appeared to fulfill the promise that led Seattle to select him in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.Nevertheless, Pope is no longer just a camp body. Hes earned the chance to be in the conversation. With two preseason games to go, Pope will have more opportunities to convince Seattle not to let him leave town.But Pope says hes not focusing on the last play, or the last game or just how close he came to having to do something else with his life. Hes trying to make the most of every chance and gets and leave a strong impression with the coaching staff.I dont want to look back on it. I just want to continue to strive forward toward my dream. Thats all Im going to continue to do is work toward my dream, Pope said. Jameson Taillon Jersey . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. Willie Stargell Pirates Jersey . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. http://www.pittsburghpiratesprostore.us/Francisco-Liriano-pirates-jersey/ Francisco Liriano Pirates Jersey . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Lonnie Chisenhall Jersey .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers signed 29-year-old offensive tackle Willie Smith to help bolster their depth on the offensive line.The move comes after backup tackles Daryl Williams and David Foucault have struggled in training camp and the preseason. Michael Oher and Mike Remmers are expected to be Carolinas starting offensive tackles again this season.The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Smith didnt play in the NFL last season, but saaw action in 15 games in 2014 with the San Diego Chargers.dddddddddddd Smith, who played at East Carolina, has started 11 games and played in 19 since breaking into the league with the Washington Redskins in 2011.Carolina waived injured fullback Devon Johnson to make room for Smith on the roster. ' ' '