NFL Europe League was a professional American football league that functioned as the developmental minor league of the National Football League (NFL). Originally founded in 1989 as the World League of American Football, the league was envisioned as a transatlantic league encompassing teams from both North America and Europe. Initially, the WLAF consisted of seven teams in North America and three in Europe. It began play in 1991 and lasted for two seasons before suspending operations; while the league had been "wildly popular" in Europe, it failed to achieve success in North America. After a two-year hiatus, it returned as a six-team European league, with teams based in England, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Spain. NFL Europa was dissolved in 2007 due to its continued unprofitability and the NFL's decision to shift its focus towards hosting regular-season games in Europe; at the time of its closure, the league consisted of five German teams and one team based in the Netherlands.
The Amsterdam Admirals were a professional American football team based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, playing in the NFL Europe.
The Frankfurt Galaxy were a professional American football team that originally played in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. The team was based in Frankfurt, Germany and played in the Commerzbank-Arena, formerly called Waldstadion. The Galaxy was the only team in the league to have remained in operation and in the same city throughout the league's existence.
The Hamburg Sea Devils were an American football team that played in NFL Europe from 2005 to 2007. They played their home games at Hamburg's Volksparkstadion. They played their first game on 2 April 2005 losing 24–23 to the Cologne Centurions. The Sea Devils' first win came in Week 3 of the 2005 season, with a 31–24 home victory over the then-struggling Rhein Fire.
Jack Bicknell is a retired American football coach, most recently known for his long involvement in NFL Europa and its predecessor, the World League of American Football (WLAF). He served as the head football coach at the University of Maine from 1976 to 1980 and at Boston College from 1981 to 1988, compiling a career college football record of 77–90–2. In 1984, Bicknell coached his Boston College Eagles team to a 10–2 mark including a victory in the Cotton Bowl Classic. His quarterback that season, Doug Flutie, was awarded the Heisman Trophy.
Michael Glenn Sinclair is a former American football defensive end and defensive line coach. He played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. Sinclair was a three-time Pro Bowler in 1996, 1997 and 1998. He led the NFL in sacks in 1998 with 16.5, which is also the Seahawks single season franchise record.
Marvin Allen is an American football wide receiver. He was raised in Croydon, Greater London, England. He is a coach for the London Warriors. He was signed by the London Olympians in 2001.
World Bowl XV, officially known as Yello Strom World Bowl XV, was NFL Europa's 2007 championship game, and the final game in the league's history. It was played at Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Germany on Saturday, June 23, 2007. The defending World Bowl champion Frankfurt Galaxy (7–3) hosted the Hamburg Sea Devils (7–3) in their own home stadium.
Vince Martino is an American football coach. Most recently, he served as offensive line coach for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Previously, Martino spent fifteen seasons in NFL Europe, including a stint as head coach of the Hamburg Sea Devils.
The 2007 Amsterdam Admirals season was the 13th and final season for the franchise in the NFL Europa League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Bart Andrus in his seventh year, and played its home games at Amsterdam ArenA and Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in fifth place with a record of four wins and six losses. The National Football League (NFL) announced the closure of its European branch on June 29, ending the Admirals' 13-year existence.
Rick Lantz is a former American football coach. He served as the interim head football coach at the United States Naval Academy for three games 2001, following the firing of Charlie Weatherbie. He was formerly a widely recognized defensive coordinator in the college football ranks and held high-profile jobs at the University of Virginia and the University of Louisville. He also served as an assistant coach at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Miami, the University at Buffalo, and Boston University.
Michael Anthony Jones is an American former gridiron football player and coach. He played professionally as wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for seven season with five different teams: the Minnesota Vikings (1983–1985), New Orleans Saints (1986–1987), Kansas City Chiefs (1988), New England Patriots (1989), and New Orleans Saints (1989). Jones played college football at Tennessee State University and returned to his alma mater to serve as offensive coordinator from 2010 to 2014.
Byron Bernard "Bam" Hardmon is an American former college and professional football player who was a linebacker. Hardmon played college football for the University of Florida. He signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent, but spent his rookie season on injured reserve. Hardmon subsequently played professional football for the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europa, and in NFL pre-season games with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 2007 Rhein Fire season was the 13th and final season for the franchise in the NFL Europa League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Rick Lantz in his first year, and played its home games at LTU arena in Düsseldorf, Germany. They finished the season in fourth place with a record of four wins and six losses. The National Football League (NFL) announced the closure of its European branch on June 29, ending the team's 13-year existence.
The 2007 Frankfurt Galaxy season was the 15th and final season for the franchise in the NFL Europa League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Mike Jones in his fourth year, and played its home games at Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Germany. They finished the regular season in second place with a record of seven wins and three losses. In World Bowl XV, Frankfurt lost to the Hamburg Sea Devils 37–28. The National Football League (NFL) announced the closure of its European branch on June 29.
The 2007 Berlin Thunder season was the ninth and final season for the franchise in the NFL Europa League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach John Allen in his first year, and played its home games at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany. They finished the regular season in sixth place with a record of two wins and eight losses. The National Football League (NFL) announced the closure of its European branch on June 29.
The 2007 Hamburg Sea Devils season was the third and final season for the franchise in the NFL Europa League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Vince Martino in his first year, and played its home games at AOL Arena in Hamburg, Germany. They finished the regular season in first place with a record of seven wins and three losses. Hamburg won the first championship in team history by defeating the Frankfurt Galaxy 37–28. The National Football League (NFL) announced the closure of its European branch on June 29.
The 2007 Cologne Centurions season was the fourth and final season for the franchise in the NFL Europa League (NFLEL). The team were led by head coach David Duggan in his second year and played its home games at RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany. When Duggan gave up coaching after week nine due to health issues, defensive coordinator John Lyons was elevated to the position of interim head coach for the final game. They finished the season in third place with a record of six wins and four losses. The National Football League (NFL) announced the closure of its European branch on June 29.
Patrick Esume (/e:'su:mə/) - born 3 February 1974, in Hamburg, West Germany) is a German American Football coach, commentator, TV-announcer and former player. He is the Commissioner of the European League of Football which started play in 2021.
