JACKSONVILLE – His road hasn't been close to easy.
But while the way has been long – and with few guarantees – Jermey Parnell's NFL multi-city, multi-team, multi-year, multi-obstacle journey did lead him to EverBank Field Wednesday.
And that made the day a very, very big one. And a really cool one, too.
"This is beyond expectations," Parnell said.
Parnell (6-feet-6, 316 pounds), a right tackle who entered the NFL as a rookie free agent in 2009 and was later waived three times, on Wednesday signed a multiyear contract with the Jaguars. Parnell spent the past four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
"I'm privileged to be here – I can't wait to get to work," Parnell said Wednesday shortly after signing his contract at EverBank Field.
Parnell, expected to speak at an introductory press conference at EverBank later Wednesday, played collegiately at Ole Miss and originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2009. He was waived by New Orleans twice, spent 2009 on the Saints' practice squad, and was claimed and waived by the Miami Dolphins in 2010 before re-signing to the Saints' practice squad.
The Cowboys signed him to the active roster late in the 2010 season, and after he played six games with the Cowboys in 2011, he played 16 games each of the past three seasons.
"I've been blessed to have a lot of great coaches in my career," Parnell said. "This is amazing, and I can't wait to get to work."
He started one game in 2012 and one in 2013, starting five games this past regular season and two more games in the playoffs. He is expected to start at right tackle for the Jaguars.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed former Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Jermey Parnell.
