Russian Bear

Even the best high school football players face long odds of getting a Division I scholarship.

For Hoover (AL) defensive lineman Max Elliott, they appeared to be stacked as high as the Ural Mountains. Elliott was born Max Onichtchenko in Kurgan, Russia – a Siberian city nestled in the foothills of the Urals. It was a place where young Max seemingly was destined to play the French horn.

His transformation from Russian school boy musician to American high school footba...Login to Read More