By Leila Merrill
FireRescue1
TURTLE CREEK, Pa. — Turtle Creek Volunteer Firefighter Michael McAllister, 23, was signed recently as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams and will attend rookie training camp later this week.
McAllister started volunteering with the department at age 16, WTAE reported.
“I’ve always made time for this place. It’s like a second home to me,” McAllister said. “I just like the idea of volunteering the free time that I had.”
But his love of football goes deep, too.
“Since I was 9 years old, I told people I was going to play in the NFL,” McAllister said.
Fire Chief Jack Osman has been cheering McAllister on since his high school years, then as a center offensive lineman for Youngstown State University.
McAllister said his fellow firefighters are happy for him.
“It’s a big family down here, and one of their family members just saw his life’s dream come true,” he said.