TORONTO -- Ask people who know Bradley Orr and the reviews of the veteran English fullback are glowing. A great teammate. An experienced professional. A player to watch and learn from. "Hes a fabulous member of any squad," said Toronto FC captain Steven Caldwell, whos known the 31-year-old Orr for more than 15 years and shares an agent. "A real character, a real winner." That character, in part, was forged the hard way. As a young man, he made mistakes that led to jail. Then the Liverpool native learned from them. If Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is looking for someone to mentor 21-year-old Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas, charged this week with drunk driving, it probably need look no further than its sister soccer team and Orr. He made headlines in 2006 when he was one of three Bristol City players jailed for their part in a nightclub brawl. A fourth player was given community service. Orr and a teammate were sentenced to 28 days in jail. Wales international David Partridge was given two months behind bars. The players were also suspended and fined two weeks wages by their club. "Soccer Heroes in Prison Shame" was the headline in Englands Sun tabloid. It didnt help that just days before sentencing, Orr was sent off for attempting to head-butt a teammate during a nationally televised game. Some eight years later, Orr believes his biggest mistake was just being at the Romeo Browns nightclub. "Not a lot of people actually know the story and what happened," said Orr, who doesnt shy away from his past or his missteps. A teammate -- "not necessarily a friend" -- was thrown out of the nightclub and then became involved in a brawl with bouncers, two of whom were also charged later. "Things got out of hand. It was wrong place wrong time," said Orr. "He ended up getting a beating. I tried to stop it, got caught up in it and ended up finding myself in prison at the age of 23. "Not ideal but I probably wouldnt change it, because from that, a lot of thought and reflection went on. I decided there and then its either give it everything youve got and try to make the most of this amazing opportunity that Id been given. Or Im going to find myself like many other lads around the same age, and certainly from the same city, on the scrap heap where youve got a bit of ability, youve got the talent but you havent quite got the mentality or the maturity or the discipline to succeed." Orr said he made "little adjustments," worked on his weaknesses and "really knuckled down and gave it everything." "Its eight years down the line and Im still playing football for a living. Ive got an amazing family here with me. Ive got a lot of people who mean a lot to me." Many of those stuck by him during those "dark times." "I was a young lad, I was distraught. I thought my career was finished. You think the worst at that age and I had 23 hours a day to think about it in a cell." "Im just glad I learned from a mistake, in a positive way," he added. "The outcome since then has pretty good so far. I think Ive had a decent enough career and one I can look back (at) with pride. "Even though that was an isolated incident and Im not proud of it, I certainly wouldnt change it because its probably helped make me who I am." Orr pleaded guilty based on advice that he would get some kind of community service. His father and girlfriend came to court, expecting to drive him home. Instead he was taken directly below to the cells. Orrs soccer journey featured stints with Newcastle United, Burnley, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town and Blackpool before joining Toronto FC on loan in late January. He spent the bulk of his career with Bristol City, playing more than 225 games between 2004 and 2010. At 31, Orr is one of the grey beards on Toronto FCs squad. Only Dwayne De Rosario (35), Caldwell (33) and Jermain Defoe (by less than a month) are older. Orr showed his value Saturday in Columbus when injuries and suspension pressed him into service as centre back, alongside 21-year-old rookie Nick Hagglund. Toronto blanked the previously unbeaten Crew 2-0 with Orr one of three TFC players subsequently named to the MLS team of the week. The performance out of position is just why manager Ryan Nelsen acquired Orr. "For me, we needed just hardened guys who have kind of seen both sides of the tracks, if you know what I mean," Nelsen said. "Just so our young guys can learn what it takes to be a pro, to win away (games), to do the little things that it takes to be a good team. And you generally learn that from experience." Nelsen knows talent is not everything. Character plays a huge role in how far a player goes. "Our young guys have got to see that. Because its the best lesson to learn, that theyve got to do a lot of ugly stuff before they can kind of get to that top." Ask Orr about Hagglunds performance in Columbus and the veteran beams. "He was fantastic. I was delighted for Nick. His attitude towards his profession is absolutely (a) different class. He comes in every day really willing to learn and work hard. And theyre the type of lads who you want to see do well." One of the reasons Orr opted for MLS was he wanted to take himself out of his comfort zone and test himself. He has not regretted the move. Orr, who came to Canada with his wife and five-year-old twin boys, has marvelled at the passion of Torontos fans for sports. "Its really mind-blowing," said Orr. He is also blown away by Toronto FCs set-up "How can you not love this place?" he asked, pointing at the clubs well-appointed training centre. "The facilities are world-class. The citys fantastic." "So far Im loving it. Hopefully that can continue and I cant see no reason why not," he added. Orr has jumped right into Torontos sports community, taking in both Leafs and Raptors games. Hes also not afraid of getting out among the fans. A lifelong "big, big" Liverpool fan -- his 21-year-old nephew Jon Flanagan plays for the Reds -- Orr recently found out where the local supporters club was based. So he and Caldwell, with sons in tow, dropped in to see a recent Sunday game over breakfast. Drazen Petrovic Jersey . The Italian football federation announced the appointment, three days after new president Carlo Tavecchio was elected. Tavecchio and Conte spoke on the phone early Thursday. DeMarre Carroll Jersey . 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Caris LeVert Jersey . - Jordan Addesis shootout goal helped the Plymouth Whalers to a 3-2 win over the Sault Ste.Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Opposing quarterbacks surely wish two defensive ends didnt get hurt in the same practice during the early part of North Dakota State Universitys 2010 preseason camp. Then-head coach Craig Bohl changed plans and sent a true freshman named Kyle Emanuel off to work with the D-ends. And I just never came back, said Emanuel, who played mainly as a running back and linebacker in high school. Having put on nearly 30 pounds since that day, the 6-foot-3, 251-pound Emanuel has gone on to terrorize quarterbacks for NDSUs national championship program. A key member during the Bisons title three-peat, Emanuel has saved his best for last as a fifth-year senior, earning the 20th Buck Buchanan Award as the outstanding defensive player in the FCS. Emanuel received 70 of the 160 first-place votes and 495 points from a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries. Villanova junior linebacker Don Cherry finished second and Montana defensive end Zack Wagenmann was third among 25 finalists. Emanuels fierce playing style doesnt match his calm off-the-field demeanor. During the regular season, he used his athleticism, speed and instincts to tie for the national high with 16.5 sacks and rank second with 27 tackles for loss. He added 70 total tackles, eight quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, one interception and two pass breakups for coach Chris Kliemans squad. He was one of only two players in the FCS to be named The Sports Networks national defensive player of the week twice, and he went on to collect the Missouri Valley Football Conferences defensive player of the year award. Its just been unbelievable, said the construction management major (minor in business) from Schuyler, Nebraska. He has a 3.66 grade point average. Its been a culmination of a lot of things, a lot of hard work, a lot of great people here at NDSU - its truly a special place. Georgia Buchanan, whose late husband Buck is the namesake of the award - the Hall of Famer was the prototype for future NFL defensive linemen - presented the 20th annual award at The Sports Networks FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation. There were 160 ballots cast in the 2014 Buck Buchanan Award voting. Past winners include JJared Allen, Kroy Biermann, Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Arthur Moats, all current or past NFL players.dddddddddddd The results: 2014 Buck Buchanan Award.......1st....2nd....3rd....4th....5th....Total 1. Kyle Emanuel, North Dakota St...70.....18.....18......8......3.....495 2. Don Cherry, Villanova...........13.....23.....17.....17.....11.....253 3. Zack Wagenmann, Montana.........12.....17.....14.....10.....13.....203 4. Quinn Backus, Coastal Carolina...9.....18.....10.....12.....11.....182 5. Donald Payne, Stetson...........11.....12.....11.....14.....13.....177 6. Nick Dzubnar, Cal Poly..........10.....13.....13......7.....16.....171 7. Jacob Hagen, Liberty.............2.....15.....13.....11.....11.....142 8. Javon Hargrave, S. Carolina St...8......5......9.....10......7.....114 9. Connor Underwood, Indiana State..1......6.....11.....14......7......97 10. James Cowser, Southern Utah......2......7......8......8.....15......93 11. Alec May, Georgetown.............3......4.....10.....11......7......90 12. Davis Tull, Chattanooga..........3......7......6......7......9......84 13. Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa...3......1......3......6......7......47 14. Jonathan Woodard, C. Arkansas....2......2......4......2......3......37 15. Caleb Schaffitzel, Missouri St...3......0......1......7......2......34 16. Tony Bell, UT Martin.............2......3......2......1......3......33 17. Lynden Trail, Norfolk State......2......3......1......1......2......29 18. Zack Hodges, Harvard.............1......1......1......4......2......22 19T.Jeff Covitz, Bryant..............1......1......0......3......3......18 19T.Christian Ricard, Stony Brook....0......1......2......2......4......18 21. Ryan Delaire, Towson.............1......0......2......2......1......16 22. Isiah Corbett, SE Louisiana......0......2......1......0......3......14 23. Jaquiski Tartt, Samford..........0......1......1......2......2......13 24T.O.J. Mau, Gardner-Webb.......... 1......0......1......0......1.......9 24T.Colten Heagle, North Dakota St.. 0......0......1......1......4.......9 A first-place vote was worth five points, a second-place vote four points, a third-place vote three points, a fourth-place vote two points and a fifth-place vote one point. ' ' '