FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         Contact: David Tossell

November 7, 2001                                                                                           

National Pride on Display at Frankfurt Mini Camp

Competition to earn a place at NFL Europe League training camp and ultimately a spot on one of the six rosters for the 2002 season began in Frankfurt today as Europe's premier national players kicked off a mini camp under the watchful eye of six head coaches.

Veteran NFLEL nationals and those aiming to make their mark for the first time are being put through their paces by Director of Game Development TONY ALLEN, national coaches and head coaches hoping to unearth a future football star.

BART ANDRUS (Amsterdam Admirals), JACK BICKNELL (Barcelona Dragons), DOUG GRABER (Frankfurt Galaxy), PETE KUHARCHEK (Rhein Fire), GENE DAHLQUIST (Scottish Claymores) and Berlin Thunder World Bowl IX winning coach PETER VAAS are assessing the talent pool during the week-long mini camp.

Following testing dates and tryouts in the NFL Europe League cities, a total of 70 players were invited to Germany to take the next step on the player development ladder. Those considered most likely to make an impact in 2002 will join national kickers at Training Camp in Tampa, Florida in February. The mini camp in Frankfurt runs until Sunday, November 11.

Among familiar names looking to return to the NFL Europe stage are defensive backs MARLON ETNEL (Admirals), SAMYR HAMOUDI (Dragons) and RICHARD YANCY (Thunder) and wide receiver MARC SOUMAH (Galaxy), defensive lineman BASTIAN LANO (Fire) and running back STEVE HUTCHINSON (Claymores). A selection of new faces have also emerged, including promising German offensive lineman PETER HEYER and several members of the five-time UK-champion London Os, such as running back WARREN KEEN, linebacker ADEN DURDE and wideout MICHAEL DUNSTAN.

"This is the result of months of scouting and evaluating players across the continent who are capable of stepping up to the next level and either making an impact in NFL Europe, or continuing their development," said Allen. "There is some real talent on show here for the immediate and long term future and the head coaches have a wonderful opportunity to witness first hand what great strides we're making."

The most impressive national players will eventually fill eight rosters spots available on each of the six NFLEL teams. Last season home grown stars accounted for a record 12 touchdowns and a season-high 974 yards.

In addition to players from the NFLEL countries of Germany, Scotland, Spain and the Netherlands, the flags of other European countries are being flown by competitors from France, Sweden, Croatia, England, Turkey and Norway.

Returning from previous glory years are former Frankfurt Galaxy tight end WERNER HIPPLER and ex-London and England Monarchs running back VICTOR MUHAMMAD, who made the league's first ever tackle back in 1991 and was the first national player to score a touchdown.