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PETE ABITANTE (212/450-2065)
MICHAEL SIGNORA (212/450-2076)

St. Louis Rams quarterback KURT WARNER was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player by the Associated Press today, capping one of the finest seasons for a quarterback in the 80-year history of the National Football League.

Warner, who guided the NFL Europe League’s Amsterdam Admirals to a 7-3 record in 1998, is among 55 NFL Europe veterans, 20 of whom have been starters this season, hoping to help their NFL clubs to a berth in Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, Georgia.

"This is a tremendous honor," says Warner, one of an NFL-high 11 Rams with NFLEL experience to reach the postseason. "But this is really a team award. My job was made so much easier by all the great talent around me."

Warner started all 16 games for the Rams, leading them to 13 wins, the most in franchise history. A look at Warner’s statistical superlatives from the 1999 NFL season:

• 41 touchdowns – 1st in NFL in 1999, 2nd player in NFL history to throw for 40 TDs.
• 109.2 passer rating – 1st in NFL in 1999, 5th highest single-season rating of all time.
• 300-yard passing games – 9, tied for most in a season in NFL history
• 65.1 completion percentage – 1st in NFL in 1999

But Warner was not the only quarterback schooled in Europe to succeed in the NFL this season. Two other quarterbacks, Seattle’s JON KITNA (Barcelona, 1997) and Washington’s BRAD JOHNSON (London, 1995) also led their clubs to division titles.

The 11 NFLEL quarterbacks competing in the postseason are: Dallas – JASON GARRETT (San Antonio, 1991), MIKE QUINN (Rhein, 1998); Indianapolis – KELLY HOLCOMB (Barcelona, 1996); Jacksonville – JAY FIEDLER (Amsterdam, 1997);

Miami – DAMON HUARD (Frankfurt, 1998); Minnesota – TODD BOUMAN (Barcelona, 1999); Seattle – JON KITNA (Barcelona, 1997); St. Louis – PAUL JUSTIN (Frankfurt, 1995), KURT WARNER (Amsterdam, 1998); Washington – BRAD JOHNSON (London, 1995), CASEY WELDON (Barcelona, 1995).

The 1999 NFL season saw NFL Europe League veterans make key contributions to NFL playoff teams:

In Dallas, wide receiver JASON TUCKER (Rhein, 1999) was a major factor in the Cowboys earning a playoff berth. Tucker had four receptions for 122 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown catch, in the playoff-clinching victory last Sunday versus the New York Giants.

In Miami, quarterback DAMON HUARD was 4-1 as a starter and threw for 1,288 yards and eight touchdowns. Guard MARK DIXON (Frankfurt, 1995) was a vital cog in the Dolphins’ offensive line, starting 13 games.

In Seattle, JON KITNA was not the only European import making a difference. Safety KERRY JOSEPH (London/Rhein, 1997-98) started four games in the defensive backfield and was a valuable contributor on special teams. He finished with 43 tackles and three interceptions.

In St. Louis, guard TOM NÜTTEN (Amsterdam, 1998) has gone from a teammate of Warner’s in Europe to blocking for him back home. Nütten started 14 games for the Rams in 1999.

"Tom has played left guard for us this year almost as well as Kurt Warner has played quarterback," says head coach DICK VERMEIL.

On defense, Rams linebacker MIKE JONES (Sacramento, 1992) has started every game and finished the season with 65 tackles.

The 1999 NFL season was also a breakthrough year for players not participating in the postseason. Former Rhein Fire wide receiver MARCUS ROBINSON, the 1998 NFL Europe Offensive Most Valuable Player, became one of the premier deep threats in the NFL for the Chicago Bears.

Robinson finished the season with 84 receptions, a club-record 1,400 yards receiving, and nine touchdowns.

"What I accomplished in the NFL Europe League helped my confidence tremendously," Robinson says. "It convinced me I could play football against great competition."

Green Bay wide receiver BILL SCHROEDER, a potent wideout for the 1997 Rhein Fire, had his best season as a pro in 1999, finishing with 74 receptions and 1,051 yards receiving.