Locomotives’ Parrish returns from football exile

Tony Parrish insists he never retired. But he hadn't played in a football game since 2006.

The 33-year-old defensive back has resurfaced with the Las Vegas Locomotives in the new United Football League.

"I just didn't get an opportunity," said Parrish, who played for the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys from 1998 to 2006. "It was very frustrating. But all I could do was train and wait for my opportunity."

Parrish made four tackles in the Locomotives' inaugural 30-17 win over California on Thursday, and he'll be on the field tonight when they host the Florida Tuskers in a 6 p.m. game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

After breaking his left leg in 2005 with San Francisco, Parrish struggled to regain top form and was released the following season by the 49ers. After a short stint with Dallas, Parrish was out of work again.

He said some NFL teams expressed interest, but the dialogue never reached the contract stage.

"When this league contacted me, I was curious," Parrish said. "There's a lot of guys like myself who had fallen through the cracks, and I figured it was an opportunity for me to show what I could do."

Las Vegas coach Jim Fassel wanted experience in the secondary and gave Parrish a chance to prove he could still play.

"When we brought him in, I wasn't sure what to think," Fassel said. "But the guy is the consummate pro. He prepares and practices like a young guy. He played very well (against California), and a lot of our comeback was due to his leadership. He's been there. He doesn't panic."

Parrish was confident despite the time away from the game.

"I've been blessed with some athletic ability," he said. "I've taken care of myself, and I know I have a lot more football left."

Parrish and his teammates are expecting a tougher test tonight from a Florida team that manhandled the New York Sentinels 35-13 Saturday. The Locos will be facing a more experienced quarterback tonight in former NFL backup Brooks Bollinger, who threw for four touchdowns in the Tuskers' win.

"I think you'll see a better performance from both teams," Parrish said. "In football, every week counts. And in this league, with only six games and no preseason, every game counts even more."

Fassel said his team seemed more attentive at its Casa Grande, Ariz., headquarters this week, coming off a win and knowing it had something tangible to prepare for.

"It's nice to actually put a game plan together knowing something about the team you're playing," Fassel said. "Once you get that first game under your belt, you learn a lot about yourself. I found that this team has composure and heart. They didn't quit down 14-3. They showed the kind of toughness you want to see in a team."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.