I was looking through some old photos I had taken of a Raiders-Seahawks game in which Jon Kitna was the Seahawks’ quarterback. And it occurred to me that Kitna was one of the first players I can remember who went to the World League of American Football (known nowadays as NFL Europe, although I think it was still the WLAF at the time) a complete nobody and emerged as a highly sought-after commodity in the NFL. But it seems like the league had been around long enough that he wouldn’t have been the first to accomplish this – and when I say “accomplish,” I mean becoming a fairly good starter, not latching on as the last special-teamer on the Lions or Cardinals. Who would be considered the first WLAF success story?
I couldn’t find anybody from the early WLAF (91-92) that “starred” in the NFL, or even started as far as I know. Brad Johnson, who played in 1995 for the London Monarchs in one of the earliest to cross over. I think Kurt Warner may have also played in NFL Europe at one point but he’s more noted for playing AFL (Arena) ball. Kelly Holcomb played in NFL Europe in 1996. Kitna, La’roi Glover, Jay Fiedler and Marco Rivera all played in NFL-E in 1997. Oh, just found that Kurt Warner played for Amsterdam in 1998.
The earliest one I know of who made a name in the NFL is Kitna. For a better example, Adam Vinatieri was also an Amsterdam Admiral (I think he was a teammate of Warner’s), and is generally considered the NFL’s best kicker now.
Jason Garrett (who went to Princeton), played quarterback for San Antonio’s WLAF team in 1991 (I think). From what I remember, Garrett eventually became a reliable third stringer for the Dallas Cowboys and filled in on occassion for Aikman. I believe he also played for the Giants.
Marcus Robinson had one big year (Pro Bowl?) at wide receiver for the Chicago Bears.
Best clutch kicker, perhaps.
Best kicker? No way. Vanderjagt, without a doubt.
Brad Johnson was the first WL/NFLE guy to start at a skill position on an NFL offense, FWIW.
I should add, I think Marcus Robinson played for the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Another NFL player → NFL Europe star → NFL player was Lawrence Phillips. The 6th overall pick by the St. Louis Rams in 1996 was cut loose, then signed with the Dolphins, before getting cut again. He caught on with the Barcelona Dragons, and set a couple NFL Europe rushing records. His play with Barcelona got him a contract with the 49ers the following year. Last I heard he was in the CFL, but got in trouble for something there.
Is this Lawrence “Felony” Phillips, the erstwhile Oklahoma star? I don’t know that he ever had a solid NFL season.
He went for around 600 yards with the Rams twice, and scored 8 touchdowns one year. Not bad, anyway.