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FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL
PLAYERS TO HONE COACHING SKILLS 18 Players to Take Part in Internship Program NFL players interested in becoming coaches will receive first-hand experience this offseason in a new internship program with the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The NFL Coaching Internship Program will include six current and 12 former NFL players who will participate in the month-long NFLEL training camps in Tampa that begin February 24. Six of the former players will continue coaching for the entire 10-week NFL Europe League season in Europe, and will join NFL clubs during training camp as part of the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program. The NFL Coaching Internship Program is a joint effort of the NFL and the NFL Players Association. The goal of the program is to provide participants with comprehensive training, work experience and an evaluation of their coaching abilities. “This is a tremendous opportunity for players to gain experience in the coaching profession,” said JOHN BEAKE, NFL vice president and managing director of football operations for the NFL Europe League. “The internship opens the door for these players to begin their coaching careers.” “This is an opportunity for our players – many of whom have expressed an interest in coaching – to get hands-on coaching experience at the professional level,” said MIKE HAYNES, NFL vice president of player and employee development. “We are glad to see players receive an opportunity to pursue a career in coaching through NFL Europe,” said STACY ROBINSON, NFL Players Association director of player development. “This program is an excellent training ground for players looking to gain coaching experience.” The 18 participants in the NFL Coaching Internship Program have a collective 123 years of NFL playing experience.
Following is a look at the
participants in the NFL Coaching Internship Program: NFL PLAYER COACHING INTERNSNew York Jets safety NICK FERGUSON (Amsterdam Admirals – Training Camp) – Has played 39 games at safety and special teams with the Jets (2000-02) after two seasons in Europe with the Rhein Fire (1999-2000). In 2002, took part in a coaching internship program with Hempstead (New York) High School, sponsored by the NFL. Majored in Business Management and was a walk-on at Georgia Tech. Houston Texans wide receiver DWAUNE JONES (Berlin Thunder – Training Camp) – Spent the 2002 season on the Houston Texans’ injured reserve list. Caught 33 passes for 577 yards and five touchdowns with the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe in 2002. Also caught the game-winning touchdown in World Bowl IX. Was three-year starter at the University of Richmond and earned a bachelor’s degree there. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker MIKE MASLOWSKI (Scottish Claymores – Training Camp) – Has played 55 games at linebacker with Kansas City in four seasons (1999-2002). Led the Chiefs with a club single-season record 162 tackles (109 solo) in 2002 and ranked third on the team with three interceptions. Worked as a coaching intern at Kansas City’s Washington High School in the 2000 offseason. Set NFLEL record of 105 tackles with FC Barcelona Dragons in 1999. Majored in physical education at Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Denver Broncos defensive tackle CHESTER MC GLOCKTON (Amsterdam Admirals – Training Camp) – Has played 163 games (151 starts) as a defensive tackle in 11 NFL seasons (1992-2002) with three teams (Raiders, Chiefs and Broncos). Is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and has 50 career sacks. Majored in Human Resources at Clemson. Kansas City Chiefs guard DONALD WILLIS (FC Barcelona Dragons – Training Camp) – Has played 47 games as an offensive lineman and special teamer in six NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City. In 2000, participated in the NFL coaching internship program with Raytown (Missouri) High School. Majored in sociology at North Carolina A&T.
Chicago Bears special teamer
LARRY WHIGHAM (Berlin Thunder – Training Camp)
– Has played 136 games primarily as a special teamer in nine NFL seasons
(1994-present) with the New England Patriots and Chicago. Earned Pro Bowl
trips as a special teamer in 2001 and 2002. Was voted AFC Special Teams
player of the year by his peers at the 1996 Mackey Awards. Majored in
criminal justice at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. FORMER PLAYERSMARTIN BAYLESS (FC Barcelona Dragons – Full Season) – Played 192 games (150 starts) at defensive back in 13 NFL seasons (1984-96) with five teams (St. Louis Cardinals, Buffalo, San Diego, Kansas City, Washington). Had 12 career interceptions, 11.5 sacks and one touchdown (on a fumble return). Spent the past two years as a volunteer defensive coach at Castle Park HS in Chula Vista, Calif. Earned a bachelor’s degree at Bowling Green. REGGIE BROOKS (Berlin Thunder – Full Season) – Played 41 games at running back in four NFL seasons (1993-96) with two teams (Washington, Tampa Bay). In 1993, was the first rookie in Washington Redskins history to rush for 1,000 yards (1,063). Played for the FC Barcelona Dragons in 1998 and had a league-high six touchdown runs. Earned a bachelor’s degree at Notre Dame. BARRY FOSTER (Rhein Fire – Full Season) – Played 62 games at running back in five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1990-94). A two-time Pro Bowl choice, led the AFC in rushing in 1992 (1,690 yards) and had a league-high 12 100-yard games. Majored in criminal justice at Arkansas. ERIC GREEN (Frankfurt Galaxy – Full Season) – Played 120 games (104 starts) at tight end in 10 NFL seasons (1990-99) with four teams (Pittsburgh, Miami, Baltimore, New York Jets). A two-time Pro Bowl player, had 362 career receptions for 4,390 yards and 36 touchdowns. Worked with the Minnesota Vikings tight ends and tackles in training camp last summer. Earned a bachelor’s degree at Liberty University. HUGH GREEN (FC Barcelona Dragons – Training Camp) – Played 136 games at linebacker in 11 NFL seasons (1981-91) with two teams (Tampa Bay and Miami). A two-time Pro Bowl pick, had an NFL-best two interception-return touchdowns for Tampa Bay in 1983 and 34.5 career sacks. Was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. During NFL playing career, volunteered as a coach at two Florida high schools. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 1996, earned a bachelor’s degree from Pitt in 1980. LAMONT GREEN (Frankfurt Galaxy – Training Camp) – Played one game for the Atlanta Falcons in 1999. Spent the 2000 season with the Berlin Thunder. Participated in the NFL coaching internship program with Miami Southridge Sr. High School in 2002. Earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State. MAURICE KELLY (Berlin Thunder – Training Camp) – Played 24 games as a safety in two NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Recorded 25 tackles and started three games in 2001. Serves as a substitute teacher in the Gwinnett County (Georgia) Public School system. Earned a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State. AMP LEE (Amsterdam Admirals – Full Season) – Played 116 games at running back in nine NFL seasons (1992-2000) with four teams (San Francisco, Minnesota, St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia). Had 388 carries for 1,512 yards and seven touchdowns and 335 receptions for 3,099 yards and 15 touchdowns. Volunteered as a running backs coach last summer at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Arizona, and last spring at Mesa (Arizona) Community College. Majored in physical education at Florida State. PETE METZELAARS (FC Barcelona Dragons – Training Camp) – Played the most games by a tight end in NFL history (235) over 16 seasons (1982-97) with four teams (Seattle, Buffalo, Carolina and Detroit). Spent 10 of those seasons with Buffalo, played in four Super Bowls with the Bills and ranks fourth in club history with 302 receptions. Earned a bachelor’s degree at Wabash (Ind.) College. REGGIE MC ELROY (Berlin Thunder – Full Season) – Played 165 games at offensive tackle and guard in 13 NFL seasons (1983-89, 91-96) with five teams (New York Jets, Los Angeles Raiders, Kansas City, Minnesota and Denver). Spent the majority of his career with the New York Jets (seven seasons). Coached offensive and defensive lines and was special teams coordinator at Buffalo (Missouri) High School for the past two seasons. Earned a bachelor’s degree at West Texas State. JIM PYNE (Amsterdam Admirals – Training Camp) – Played 81 games (73 starts) at guard in six NFL seasons (1995-2000) with four teams (Tampa Bay, Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia). Was the first choice in the 1999 Cleveland Browns Expansion Draft. Part of the only three-generation family in NFL history (father George Pyne III, 1965 Boston Patriots; grandfather George Pyne II, 1931 Providence Steamroller). Earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech. TIM WATSON (Rhein Fire – Training Camp) – Played 13 games at safety over four seasons with three teams (Kansas City, New York Giants and Philadelphia). Played with NFL Europe’s FC Barcelona in 1996. Earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard. |