Aug. 7, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Former Georgetown University football player Atefiok Etukeren was going to spend most of Thursday night riding a red-eye flight from his home in Phoenix, Ariz., but he said no matter how tired he was, the weariness would go away as soon as he landed.

Etukeren, a four-year standout at defensive end for the Hoyas, received a call from his agent Thursday afternoon letting him know that the Buffalo Bills had invited him to the team's preseason camp.

Goodbye Hilltop, Hello Terrell Owens.

"I received word from my agent tonight that the Bills have invited me to camp as of today," Etukeren said in an e-mail. "I leave from Arizona tonight (Thursday) and they want me on the field tomorrow.

"I can't thank you enough for all the love, prayers and support you have given me through this process. I still have a lot of work to do to make the active roster, but this is the first step."

Etukeren will wear No. 74 for the Bills, who hold their preseason camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y.