Luke Black is looking forward to playing in his first professional football game.
The Marietta native, who played his prep ball at Parkersburg Catholic and collegiately at Fairmont State, will be suited up in an Omaha Nighthawk uniform when the Nighthawks kick off their season at Sacramento (Calif.) at 11 p.m. Friday.
"I learned that I made the team on Monday, and that was great news," said the 23-year-old Black, who has been in the state of Nebraska, trying out for the team, since last week. "It's a step in the right direction."
The Omaha Nighthawks are a member of the United Football League (UFL), which began play in 2009.
Also in the league are the Sacramento Mountain Lions, Las Vegas Locomotives, and the defending champion Virginia Destroyers. Many of the players have National Football League (NFL) experience. Quarterbacks Jeff Garcia and Daunte Culpepper once donned a UFL uniform.
All UFL contests are televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network.
"The competition is really tough," Black said. "I feel so blessed, and want to help the team in any way I can."
On the Nighthawks' roster, Black is No. 95. He's listed as a 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive tackle.
Black is the son of Gregg and Sheri Black, who will be in attendance for his first professional game.
The younger Black has two older brothers Vince and Nate.
