Third Time is the Charm for Otis Amey

Otis Amey is coming home to Sacramento.

He will play wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions, who host all of their opponents at Amey's Alma Mater, Sacramento State.

The 28-year-old, two-time All-American holds Hornets records in career receptions, receiving touchdowns, single season receptions, single game receptions, career kickoff return yards, longest punt return for a TD and most punt returns in a season.

His role with the Mountain Lions will be as a “jack of all trades.”

“He’ll return some balls,” Mountain Lions receivers coach, Charles Collins, said. “He’ll be back there on kick offs, he’ll play a little on the inside and outside. I expect to move him around; I’m not going to pigeon hole him in one spot.”

While he’s exited to be playing for his home team, back in Hornet Stadium, Amey hopes to return to the NFL soon.

“To be honest, guys at the River Cats don’t say, ‘I’m happy playing with the River Cats,’” Amey said. “They want to be on the A’s. It’d be a lie to say that I don’t want to be back in the NFL."

After signing with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie, Amey made an immediate impact. He returned a punt for a 75-yard touchdown on his first touch in the NFL.

Recapturing that moment proved to be too difficult for Amey. The Union City native was cut by the 49ers - a team he rooted for as a child - after that season. In his words, it was the “lowest point in my life.”

Amey spent the 2006-07 season in the Arena Football League with the Austin Wranglers. The most memorable moment, in his time away from the NFL, came on Mother’s day in 2007 when he played against his big brother, Vince Amey.

“I wasn’t even worried about making the tackle,” said Vince, who was a seventh-round pick for the Oakland Raiders in 1998. “I had him in my sights and wanted to drive (Otis) backwards a few feet.”

After that season, Amey got his second chance to make an NFL roster with the Atlanta Falcons. Due to Michael Vick’s dog fighting charges, the Falcons needed to sign a replacement at quarterback. Amey, who had originally been placed on the 53-man roster, ended up being the odd man out.

The ordeal in Atlanta only added more fuel to the fire for Amey; he was determined to revitalize his career. He played the 2008 AFL season with the Cleveland Gladiators, leading the league in scoring with 50 touchdowns.

Amey credits his big brother, Vince, for helping to keep his head straight through the ups and downs of playing professional football. Amey has been through a lot in his five-year professional career; however, he’s not ready to give up on his dreams quite yet.

“That’d be the dream scenario: winning a championship here, getting picked up, and winning a Superbowl as well. You couldn’t write it any better than that.”

By Aaron Hilton
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