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During the hiatus, Joseph played flag football — which Young also took up after announcing his retirement from football in 2014.

In 2003, Joseph was given an opportunity to resuscitate his pro career at his preferred position. He quarterbacked the Ottawa Renegades for three years before the franchise ceased operations.

Saskatchewan then selected Joseph first overall in the dispersal draft of 2006. The following year, he quarterbacked Saskatchewan to a Grey Cup victory — three days after being named the league’s top player. And he was 34 at the time, by the way.

Joseph became the first Roughrider to receive MVP honours since Ron Lancaster, who was 38 when he stepped to the podium in 1976.

Like Joseph, legendary Roughriders quarterback Glenn Dobbs was out of football in his 30s before enjoying a renaissance in Canada.

In 1950, Dobbs was a member of the radio broadcast team for games featuring his alma mater, the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Dobbs had served in the air force during the Second World War before playing professionally in the old All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949.

Dobbs became an immediate sensation in Saskatchewan, guiding the 1951 Roughriders to a West title. At 31, he sparkled as a pivot, a punter and a personality.

Consider, too, the case of Roger Staubach. After starring for Navy — winning the Heisman Trophy as a junior in 1963 — Staubach honoured his four-year military commitment.

Staubach did not make his NFL debut with the Dallas Cowboys until age 27. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Although Staubach was under 30 when he returned to the game, he demonstrated that it is possible to excel at quarterback after an extended absence from the field. At 37, in his final season, he was still an elusive scrambler and a premier passer.

Now, can Young emulate Joseph, Dobbs or Staubach?

If so, stay tuned for an episode of “Young and the Rustless.”

rvanstone@postmedia.com

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