Former NFL QB Vince Young joins CFL, hopes for a comeback

March 9 (UPI) -- Quarterback Vince Young, who has not played in a professional game since 2011, signed to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, the team announced Thursday.

Young, 33, worked out for the Roughriders in Austin, Tex., last week and signed a standard one-year contract with the Roughriders with a team option for a second season. He will compete against G.J. Kinne and Kevin Glenn, among others, for playing time.

Young has been working for the University of Texas in a variety of roles, including fundraising. He also was involved in several businesses, including a restaurant and a real estate company.

"I still definitely love the game," Young told the Houston Chronicle. "I miss it a whole lot. The retirement deal, it happened. I didn't officially say I was retired. I got away from the game to clean up a bunch of stuff off the field. All that came to light and I'm doing really good.

"The Roughriders coach, Chris Jones, gave me a call and wanted to give me an opportunity. I thought it was a great chance for me to finish my career how I want to finish it. I reached out to Leigh (Steinberg, his agent). He's an incredible guy. He understands the second-chance story and we got this thing done. I'm so excited to play the game again. Everything is going full circle."

It was reported three weeks ago that Young was interested in making a comeback in the NFL.

Young hired Steinberg to find a home in the NFL. Young last played a snap with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, perhaps most famously remembered for his ill-fated "Dream Team" comment on a club that fell far short of expectations.

A former NFL Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler, Young was last on an NFL roster in 2014 when he spent almost two weeks with the Cleveland Browns. He announced his retirement shortly thereafter.

Young had his moments after being selected with the third overall pick in the 2006 draft, compiling a 30-17 record with the Tennessee Titans. He started the final three games for Philadelphia in 2011.

Young has endured off-the-field issues as he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2014 and was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in January 2016. He was sentenced to 18 months probation after pleading no contest last month.

"I've got a family now, I've got kids," Young told the Chronicle. "I wish I knew back then what I know now. I was a little immature about things, but things happen for a reason. You learn from your mistakes. I'm happy and I'm going to take full advantage of this opportunity."