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Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 1:06 am
by Shipley
Here's a list of former semi-pro players who went on to play or coach in the Super Bowl. I compiled it for my Semi-Pro Football History FB group, and thought it might interest this audience too. Semi-pro records are spotty at best, so I'd be interested to hear any errors or omissions.

Mike Bass (Detroit Arrows, Redskins), Bill Bergey (Fredonia Orioles, Eagles), Randy Beverly (Jersey City Jets, Jets), Bob Bryant (Des Moines Warriors, Vikings), Jim Clack (Norfolk Neptunes, Steelers), Jack Dolbin (Pottstown Firebirds and Schuylkill Coal Crackers, Broncos), Tom Flores (Bakersfield Spoilers, Raiders), Cliff Harris (Santa Ana Rhinos, Cowboys), Wendell Hayes (Oakland Gladiators, Chiefs), Billy Joe (Waterbury Orbits, Jets), Curt Knight (Virginia Sailors, Redskins), Bob Keuchenberg (Chicago Owls, Dolphins), Vince Lombardi (Brooklyn Eagles, Packers), Chuck Mercein (Westchester Bulls, Packers), Herb Mul-Key (Atlanta Packers, Redskins), Gus Parham (California Football League, 49ers), Bill Rademacher (Jersey City Jets, Jets), John Schmitt (Jersey City Jets, Jets), Ray Seals (Syracuse Express, Steelers), Otis Sistrunk (Norfolk Neptunes, Raiders), Ken Stabler (Spokane Shockers, Raiders), Johnny Unitas (Bloomfield Rams, Colts), Ted Vactor (Virginia Sailors, Redskins), Sam Wyche (Wheeling Ironmen, Redskins and Bengals), Garo Yepremian (Detroit Arrows, Dolphins)

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 9:08 am
by JameisBrownston
Surprised it's this many. In football, once you go down to the minors, you usually don't come back. None of these examples seem to be of any recency, though. Do any of these teams even exist anymore?

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 9:33 am
by Citizen
Would Charlie Leigh count? Pennsylvania Mustangs, Orlando Panthers, Philadelphia Bulldogs, Norfolk Neptunes, and then eventually the Dolphins from 1971-74.

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 9:54 am
by Sonny9
Kurt Warner - Iowa Barnstormers, Amsterdam Admirals

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:12 am
by Bob Gill
Brad Johnson played in the World League of American Football -- or maybe it was called NFL Europe by then. Whichever.

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:20 am
by John Maxymuk
Bob Brown Packers, Wheeling Ironmen

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:22 am
by John Maxymuk
Also, is anyone going to the screening of the SB I broadcast today?

https://www.paleycenter.org/events/2024 ... uper-bowl/

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:50 am
by JeffreyMiller
John Maxymuk wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:22 am Also, is anyone going to the screening of the SB I broadcast today?

https://www.paleycenter.org/events/2024 ... uper-bowl/
Wait, what?

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:34 pm
by Brian wolf
When is this damn game going to be released for everyone to collect? I have been waiting over six years ...

Re: Semi-Pros in the Super Bowl

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 2:34 pm
by TodMaher
Shipley wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2024 1:06 am Here's a list of former semi-pro players who went on to play or coach in the Super Bowl. I compiled it for my Semi-Pro Football History FB group, and thought it might interest this audience too. Semi-pro records are spotty at best, so I'd be interested to hear any errors or omissions.

Mike Bass (Detroit Arrows, Redskins), Bill Bergey (Fredonia Orioles, Eagles), Randy Beverly (Jersey City Jets, Jets), Bob Bryant (Des Moines Warriors, Vikings), Jim Clack (Norfolk Neptunes, Steelers), Jack Dolbin (Pottstown Firebirds and Schuylkill Coal Crackers, Broncos), Tom Flores (Bakersfield Spoilers, Raiders), Cliff Harris (Santa Ana Rhinos, Cowboys), Wendell Hayes (Oakland Gladiators, Chiefs), Billy Joe (Waterbury Orbits, Jets), Curt Knight (Virginia Sailors, Redskins), Bob Keuchenberg (Chicago Owls, Dolphins), Vince Lombardi (Brooklyn Eagles, Packers), Chuck Mercein (Westchester Bulls, Packers), Herb Mul-Key (Atlanta Packers, Redskins), Gus Parham (California Football League, 49ers), Bill Rademacher (Jersey City Jets, Jets), John Schmitt (Jersey City Jets, Jets), Ray Seals (Syracuse Express, Steelers), Otis Sistrunk (Norfolk Neptunes, Raiders), Ken Stabler (Spokane Shockers, Raiders), Johnny Unitas (Bloomfield Rams, Colts), Ted Vactor (Virginia Sailors, Redskins), Sam Wyche (Wheeling Ironmen, Redskins and Bengals), Garo Yepremian (Detroit Arrows, Dolphins)
Ugh! The Virginia Sailors, Jersey City Jets, Norfolk Neptunes, Pottstown Firebirds, Waterbury Orbits, Chicago Owls, Westchester Bulls, Spokane Shockers, Wheeling Ironman and Michigan (not Detroit!) Arrows were MINOR league teams not SEMI-PRO teams.