Moose Jaw football product Sawyer Buettner loves the game of football because of the relationships, it being a contact sport, and of course throwing touchdowns. 

Buettner is now throwing touchdowns overseas in France, as he is the starting quarterback for the Iron Mask Cannes in the French Federation of American Football.  

Cannes, France is located on the French Riviera in the southeastern tip of the country on the Mediterranean Sea.  

“It’s a lot different from Moose Jaw but it’s been awesome so far,” says Buettner. 

Just over a year ago Buettner was working up in Fort MacMurray on the oil rigs and it donned on him that he missed playing football. He then proceeded to trade in his hard hat for a football and made a profile on a website called Europlayers, which connects athletes with European sports organizations.  

“I just threw it up there in August not expecting much. In the first month I got a message from a team in Croatia. They said they couldn’t pay for anything except a bus pass and a pair of shorts.” 

Following his first interaction, Buettner explained that the offers started to roll in. 

"I started to talk with a team in Finland, a couple teams in France, and a team in Brazil.” 

His decision was easy after finding out that one of the Iron Masks’ coaches was Wayne Jacobs who he knew from his time at the University of Ottawa. He then signed his contract with Iron Mask Cannes in October 2022.  

“It’s kind of amazing. If a year ago you told me I was going to be doing this, I would’ve thought you were crazy. It’s been a good experience so far and I’m glad that I took a chance and came out here.” 

There has been an adjustment period for Buettner with how the game is played overseas.  

“It’s been good, it’s been fun, and different, which I knew it would be. I didn’t really know what to expect. So far, it’s been fun, I really love how much these guys just show up and love the game and want to play. It takes me back to my high school days when the love of the game was at the forefront.” 

It didn’t take long for Buettner to get back into the swing of things after a year off, as last week he threw his first touchdown pass in his first start in a 14-14 tie.  

“I just threw the ball up and our receiver made a great play. I ended up taking a good hit by a big 6’3” 250-pound linebacker. It’s awesome! That was the first game I played in about a year and a half.” 

Buettner played his high school football as A.E. Peacock and then went onto play football at the University of Ottawa and in Regina for the Rams. The game has taken him to several places like Texas, Hamilton, ON, Estevan, and now has taken him to the southern coast of France.  

Though he’s played all over, the love of the game remains the same.  

“For me it’s the relationships you build with your teammates. That’s why it’s been cool getting the chance to play outside of Saskatchewan and now overseas. That’s the reason why I play.” 

He hopes with him playing overseas, that will give inspiration to younger players letting them know there are different avenues to continuing competing.  

“Make sure you’re playing for the right reasons and doing it for yourself.” 

You can keep update with Buettner’s progress HERE. 

Sawyer Buettner Feb 1 (2).jpg Sawyer Buettner is the starting quarterback for the Iron Mask Cannes in the French Federation of American Football. Photo submitted by Sawyer Buettner