FRANKFURT, Germany - The last time Shirdonya Mitchell auditioned for NFL scouts, he suffered a devastating injury that put his professional career on hold. Two years later, 10 weeks of showcasing in NFL Europa reaches its climax at World Bowl XV, and Mitchell has grasped a belated opportunity to shine.

Photo courtesy of City-Press

Former Missouri Tiger Shirdonya Mitchell, left, is showcasing his defensive skills for the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europa.

World Bowl XV will be broadcast live at noon tomorrow on the NFL Network.

Mitchell went down with a torn ACL, MCL and hamstring during a Pro Day at Missouri in 2005, and the injury denied him a shot at being drafted into the NFL. The moment is etched in his memory.

"I remember it was March 1," said Mitchell, whose performance this season has earned him a selection to the All-NFL Europa League team. "I was doing a drill, and when I turned and planted my foot, my knee just buckled. Going into that Pro Day, I was considered one of the top cornerbacks, and I had a really good chance of being drafted, and then that happened.

"It was tough, because I didn’t really get hurt in college and then I didn’t go down on the field. It happened doing a drill on what was the most important day of my life at the time. It hurt, and it was a really big setback.

"Fortunately, a few teams still wanted me, and I ended up signing with Miami. I rehabbed the first year. The second year, I made the team, and I’ve been there ever since."

The Dolphins will be among the interested viewers when Mitchell, who tied for the Galaxy team lead with two interceptions, including one returned for an 81-yard touchdown, prowls the secondary against the Hamburg Sea Devils in World Bowl XV. His 31 tackles and team-best nine passes defended helped the Galaxy defense to a successful season.

"Now, I’m trying to get my name back out there, because coming off an injury, I don’t have that much game film like most people have," Mitchell said. "I think I’ve been doing a good job of competing over here and have made a couple of plays. If I don’t make it with Miami, there are 31 other teams that can watch me, too."

NFL Europa also gave Mitchell the opportunity to polish the fundamental cornerback skills that have been dormant because of his injury. The Galaxy’s defensive schemes were similar enough to those run by the Dolphins to be of benefit when he returns to South Florida.

"In Miami, we run a lot of man-to-man coverage, so techniques are a big thing for cornerbacks. I’m working on my technique over the slot receivers and getting back into football mode because I’ve been injured.

"I’ve got to go in" to Miami "and compete like everyone else. We have a good team and a good coach, and not much has changed on defense. I’ve been there for going on three years, so I pretty much know the system.

"The league here that I’m transitioning from is pretty much the NFL. This isn’t just people who have walked off the street to play football."

But the first order of business remains the World Bowl. Mitchell aims to add a championship ring to his all-league honor and repay the Galaxy fans for their support during his time in Germany.

"This game is like a home game because it is in our stadium and it is going to be loud, and we have to focus and not get too emotional. We and Hamburg beat each other once already, and now we have to beat them again to win the World Bowl.

"The games are different in that every stadium we’ve played in, the fans have horns and noisemakers and you can hear them on the field over the play-calling. That’s one thing that I’ve been trying to adjust to."

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