Professional indoor football team in Colorado looking to help players take next step in their career

LOVELAND, Colo.-- The Colorado Crush, a professional indoor football team, is playing right now in the Centennial State. The goal of the league is to help these players work on their skills so they have an opportunity to play at the next level.

“It's exciting, fast-paced, powerful. It’s easy to keep up with...my grandmas love coming to the game,” Josh Ford, a Colorado Crush running back told Denver7.

While the game is easy to keep up with the fans, these players are using it as a stepping stone in hopes to elevate their game.

"Players who have either been in the CFL or NFL... who are trying to get to that level, can get quality film against quality opponents,” Kyle Kaiser, a Colorado Crush wide receiver said.

That's where head coach Jose Jefferson comes in. He's been coaching indoor football for almost 20 years, and has helped move around two dozen guys to the next level.

It's one of the many reasons why he loves coaching.

"We make sure that they stay up on their fundamentals, but a lot of it is the mental [aspect of] getting them ready for that next level -- whether it be CFL or the NFL,” Jefferson said. “I enjoy that aspect, plus I love indoor football -- in terms of just the game itself, and I like seeing guys excel."

And for former CU Buffs running back Josh Ford, this league is allowing him to work on certain areas of his game so he can grow and perfect his craft. 

"I'm enjoying this journey. I don't want to be so focused on the pros that I miss this. This is fun out here -- like, I love playing out here -- but of course it's to get to the pros,” Ford said.

Other players on the roster are just enjoying a chance to be a part of team again.

"My goal is to just win ball games. Three years ago I would have said to make an NFL roster [was my goal], but at this point in my career I’m happy enough to put the cleats on, and be healthy. I just want to win ball games,” Kaiser said.

So besides playing inside on a smaller field with fewer players, the biggest difference between the IFL and the NFL is?

"Pay! Those guys make a lot more money than our guys. Obviously, the skill level is a lot different and those guys are special athletes. Do we have special athletes? Yes we do. Can some of them fit in there? Yes they can,” Jefferson said.

But in the meantime, as these players work towards the next chapter in their careers, their focus is just on winning more football games for the Colorado Crush.

"Win a championship, because when you win a championship, it's the stuff that comes with it -- the team-building, like when you get to share something with your team that we'll have for the rest of our live,” Ford said.

The team’s season runs until mid-June. All of their home games are played at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland.

The next home game for the Crush is April 21 against the Wichita Falls Nighthawks.