DieBruderschaft.com

ASHBURN, Va. -- Not too long ago, Ty Nsekhe was making $150 a week playing Arena Football and running on hope.Now hes the starting left tackle for the Washington Redskins -- an opportunity afforded him after Pro Bowler Trent Williams suspension and years of patience. Nsekhe has four games to prove what he has always believed and tried to show during every tryout: he belongs in the NFL.I always knew in the back of my mind I was destined to be here, so something just stayed with me, Nsekhe said this week. I cant really tell you what it was, but I just knew I was going to be here. Im here.Nsekhes travels took him from Texas State to Tarleton State, a Division II school, and then to AF2, the Arena Football Leagues developmental program. At 6-foot-8, Nsekhes size garnered NFL attention, and he said Miami was about to sign him in 2011 when the lockout began.If the AFLs San Antonio Talons hadnt called in 2012, Nsekhe was content to continue operating his private security business. Reluctant to go back to banging up his body for $150 a week -- with a $50 bonus for a win -- he needed the Talons to match his salary.When they did, he was back in the game.I went down there, and the rest is history, Nsekhe said.Nsekhe had brief stays with the Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams, New Orleans Saints and the Redskins, and he bounced to the Canadian Football League and back to the Arena League.After a career of catch and release, he signed with Washington in May 2015 at 29 and started two games in place of Williams last season.All I really wanted was to have the opportunity to become an NFL player, he said. I just wanted somebody to believe in me and give me a chance, and I appreciate that.That opportunity came from coach Jay Gruden and the Redskins, who believed Nsekhe had the size to play left tackle in the NFL but was very raw.Experienced offensive line coach Bill Callahan helped him develop his technique, with Williams and right tackle Morgan Moses also lending a hand in the learning process.Luckily, we had the opportunity to keep him here and let him develop in a system and learn the system, the calls, and just watch him progressively get better and better, Gruden said. And hes been a joy to watch, qu