Helsinki Wolverines | |
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Position: | Quarterback / Wide receiver |
Personal information | |
Born: | Americus, Georgia | June 20, 1982
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Weight: | 218 lb (99 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Americus (GA) |
College: | Texas Tech |
Undrafted: | 2007 |
Career history | |
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Robert Johnson (born June 20, 1982) is an American football player, notable for his professional career in the Finnish league Vaahteraliiga. Johnson played his college career at Texas Tech and he signed overseas Finland in 2007 as he wasn't drafted to NFL. He is currently an assistant coach for the United Newland Crusaders in Finland. Johnson has also played in the Italian Football League.
Johnson was born in Americus, Georgia, and graduated from Americus High School. He attended the Reedley College and was ranked as the number one junior college QB in the country before he attended Texas Tech University. Johnson redshirted his first year and played wide receiver for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team 2005 and 2006. In 2005, he was awarded with the 2005 Big 12 Conference Offensive Newcomer of the Year. He had 156 receptions for 1822 and 15 touchdowns in two seasons. Johnson lead the Big 12 conference in receptions in 2006 earning all conference honors. [1] [2] Johnson entered to Texas Tech as a quarterback but changed position to wide receiver. [3]
Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 4.74 s | 1.63 s | 2.70 s | 4.43 s | 7.46 s | 29 in (0.74 m) | 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m) | ||||
Measurements were taken at the Texas Tech Pro Day. [4] |
Johnson was eligible in 2007 NFL Draft but he wasn't drafted. He went to Europe and signed with the Porvoo Butchers in 2007. Johnson changed his role back to quarterback and he led his team to the Finnish Championship. Next year Johnson signed with the Helsinki Roosters and during the season he broke the league record of most passing touchdowns in one season. Johnson played with the Roosters 2008 and 2009. [5] In between of the seasons Johnson was part of the Arkansas Twister in the af2 during the preseason. [6]
Johnson joined the Butchers again in 2010 and won the Finnish Championship. Johnson went to Italy for 2011 season. He played for the Catania Elephants and led the team to the semifinals. [5] After the season in Italy was over, Johnson joined the Kouvola Indians for the remainder of the season.
Johnson signed with the Helsinki Roosters in 2012. [3] Johnson led the team to three consecutive Finnish Championships in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2014 Helsinki Roosters played also in the new IFAF Champions League which the team also won. Johnson injured his knee during the 2014 season and was replaced by Sean Shelton. [7] Johnson signed with the Turku Trojans for 2015. [8]
Johnson became head coach of the Helsinki Wolverines in 2016. [9] Wolverines played in the 1st Division for the time being. Johnston took over also the quarterback position for the 2017 season and led the team to division championship in 2018. He was also chosen as the player of the year of the 1st Division. [10] Johnson played for the Helsinki Wolverines through season 2019 in Vaahteraliiga and then signed with the United Newland Crusaders. He played for the Crusaders until the end of 2021 season.
In 2022 Johnson served as a head coach for the East City Giants. [11]
Kenneth W. Meyer was an American football coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He may be best remembered as the head coach of the National Football League (NFL)'s San Francisco 49ers in 1977, and winning two college national championships at Alabama coaching under Bear Bryant. He was a head coach in Finland's top league Vaahteraliiga and for the Finland national American football team.
The Vaahteraliiga founded in 1980 is the highest level of American football in Finland played under American Football Association of Finland. The winner of the Vaahteraliiga is the Finnish champion. The Vaahteraliiga season is played in summer, with a schedule usually from May to September.
American Football Association of Finland is the national governing body of American football in Finland. It was founded in 1979 and it is a founding member of the European Federation of American Football, EFAF and International Federation of American Football, IFAF. Since 2000, American football has grown steadily. In 2006 there were 27 clubs playing the sport with over 100 teams and over 1400 players. In 2012, the association's competitions fielded over 150 teams with more than 2200 licensed players.
Brett Dietz is American football coach and former quarterback. He is the head football coach at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, a position he has held since 2020. Dietz played college football at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana and professionally with several teams including the Turku Trojans in Finland Vaahteraliiga and in Arena Football League (AFL), Af2, and the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) for the Cincinnati Marshals, Louisville Fire, Tampa Bay Storm and California Redwoods.
Iiro Luoto is a Finnish gridiron football tight end for the Helsinki Roosters. Luoto was a international practice squad player for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He originally played for the Helsinki Roosters at the Vaahteraliiga. He then played two seasons in NFL Europa before being assigned to the Jets in 2007. Luoto was transferred from Calanda Broncos to Helsinki Wolverines in February 2013. He has again played for the Roosters since 2014.
Turku Trojans is one of the oldest American football teams in Finland, established in 1982. Turku Trojans in 2024 play in Division 2. The Trojans previously have played in the Maple League Vaahteraliiga in Finland operated by American Football Association of Finland. Finnish champions in 2003. Maple Bowl championship game appearances in 1984, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2014. Third place in 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2001. After the 2012 season the Trojans decided to voluntarily drop one level down and play the next season in 1st division. In 2013, the Trojans won all the regular season games, the semifinal game and the Spaghetti Bowl. After a perfect season the Trojans was granted a Maple League Vaahteraliiga license and this season (2014) the team will play again in the highest level. Former Trojans head coach in 1993-94 Ken Meyer is the most accomplished Trojans alumni having coached many years in the NFL and top college level in USA before coming to Finland. Meyer also led the Finland national American football team to win the European championship in the 1990's.
Helsinki Roosters is an American football team based in Helsinki, Finland established in 1979. The team plays in the Vaahteraliiga Maple League in Finland and their home field is the Helsinki Velodrome.
Tampere Saints is an American football club in the city of Tampere, Finland. Its men's senior team currently play in SAJL second highest league 1st division.
Nate Kmic is a former professional American football running back. He played college football at Mount Union College after graduating from Delta High School in rural Delta, Ohio.
Helsinki Velodrome is an outdoor velodrome, American football and field hockey stadium in Helsinki, Finland. The protected functionalist concrete building was designed by Hilding Ekelund.
Helsinki Wolverines is a Finnish American football club based in Helsinki and was founded in 1995. The clubs Top Men's Team plays in the Vaahteraliiga of the American Football Association of Finland which is the highest ranking level of American football in all of Finland. The league in Finland was established in 1980.
The 2013 Vaahteraliiga season was the 34th season of the highest level of American football in Finland. The regular season took place between May 19 and August 18, 2013. The Finnish champion was determined in the playoffs and at the championship game Vaahteramalja XXXIV the Helsinki Roosters won the Helsinki Wolverines.
The 2012 Vaahteraliiga season was the 33rd season of the highest level of American football in Finland. The regular season took place between May 26 and August 13, 2012. The Finnish champion was determined in the playoffs and at the championship game Vaahteramalja XXXIII the Helsinki Roosters won the Helsinki Wolverines.
Matt Bassuener is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the Louisville Fire as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Georgetown University. He has played professionally in the Vaahteraliiga Finland, for the Seinäjoki Crocodiles and in Sweden Superserien for the Uppsala 86ers. Bassuener was part of the U.S. National Team that won the 2011 IFAF World Championship.
The Helsinki 69ers are an American football club from Helsinki, Finland. The club was formed in 1991, and its men's first team is currently playing in the third highest level league of American football in Finland.
Andrew "Scooter" Molander is a former American football quarterback who played three seasons in the Vaahteraliiga in Finland for the Helsinki Roosters and Espoo Colts. Molander played four seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Charlotte Rage, Las Vegas Sting and Anaheim Piranhas. He first enrolled at Phoenix College before transferring to Colorado State University. He attended Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona. Molander was also an off season and practice squad member of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, and New York/New Jersey Knights.
The IFAF Europe Champions League was a European Cup-inspired tournament for European Gridiron teams affiliated to IFAF Europe. It has been held annually between 2014 and 2016.
The 2018 Vaahteraliiga season was the 39th season of the highest level of American football in Finland. The regular season took place between May 10 and September 9, 2018. The Finnish champion was determined in the playoffs, and at the championship game Vaahteramalja XXXIX the Helsinki Roosters won a league record seventh consecutive championship, this time against the Kuopio Steelers.
The 2019 Vaahteraliiga season was the 40th season of the highest level of American football in Finland. The regular season took place between May 23 and August 31, 2019. Like in the last two seasons, the Helsinki Roosters finished the regular season as top ranked team. In the play-offs, the Roosters and the Kuopio Steelers qualified for the championship game Vaahteramalja LX. Contrary to the regular season, where the Steelers defeated the Roosters in both matches, the Roosters won the final quite clearly. It was the 8th consecutive championship and the 22nd total championship for the Roosters.
The 2020 Vaahteraliiga season was the 41st season of the Vaahteraliiga, the highest level of American football in Finland. The regular season took place between July 30 and August 29, 2020. The Finnish Champion was determined in the playoffs, and at the championship game Vaahteramalja XLI the Kuopio Steelers defeated the Helsinki Wolverines. It was the Steelers' first championship title.