What Danny Wuerffel is doing now

[Bearcat729]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/players/09/28/downtime1004/


My New Life
With Danny Wuerffel





By Adam Duerson


Danny Wuerffel
Al Bello/Getty Images

Danny Wuerffel could still be in the NFL, on the field (the Redskins wanted him as a backup) or on the sideline (a couple of teams offered him coaching positions this off-season), but the Heisman Trophy winner is taking higher aim. "If I had five lives to live, I'd love to keep playing or be a coach," says Wuerffel, 30, who assumed the hands-clapped, eyes-to-the-sky stance after each touchdown pass. "But I have only one."

In January, weighing a comeback (he was cut by Washington after last season) and working out in New Orleans -- where he lives with his wife, Jessica, and their infant son, Jonah -- Wuerffel volunteered at a ministry in Desire Street, a ravaged, 1,860-unit low-income housing development. He'd been haunted by the project since his days as a Saint, from 1997 to '99. "I saw these old buildings that looked like something from a bombed out World War II city," Wuerffel recalls. "I thought, Damn, these must have been condemned 20 years ago.... And then a beautiful little girl walked out of one. That's powerful."

Wuerffel -- who believed he had about five NFL years left in him -- retired and took a job as athletic director and quarterbacks coach for the football team at Desire Academy, the project's junior high and high school. He's become a mentor to dozens of kids and, as the ministry's development director, uses his name and connections to drum up support. Saints owner Tom Benson has contributed substantially to the academy. A Gators booster (Wuerffel starred at Florida) donated 20 PCs. The Orlando Magic gave weight-room equipment. Says Wuerffel, "If using my name to get Desire Street in the door so people will listen is my God-given purpose, then so be it."

Issue date: October 4, 2004

[korme]

cool :)

[gottimd]

Good to see he is doing something for the community like that.

He was God Awful in New Orleans.

Anyone know where Gino Torretta is?

[Tigercat]

Desire projects are def. well known for their horrid conditions and crime rate. Actually, as far as crime, things were a lot worse there(and in other New Orlean's projects) 5-10 years ago. Good for Danny. In the end, he wasn't as bad a QB as some people made him out to be. For the Saints he actually had a winning record as a starting QB(and under Ditka too!). But he always was a better person than he was a QB.

[Young Drachma]

That's awesome to hear!

[MikeVic]

Good to see something like this rather than a murder, rape, forced-out-of-the-league-due-to-drugs, etc..

[JonInMiddleGA]

Anyone know where Gino Torretta is?

You should know better than to ask questions like that around here ... somebody will answer them :D

http://www.allamericanspeakers.com/speakerbio/Gino_Torretta.php
Gino and his wife Bernadette reside in Miami, Florida. Gino works for Prudential Services in Miami and covers college football for ESPN.

[gottimd]

You should know better than to ask questions like that around here ... somebody will answer them :D


That is what I was hoping for. Maybe we should start a "Where are they Now thread of past heisman winners/MVP's/One hit wonders in Sports (aka Kevin Maas) that have since dissappeared from the face of the earth.

[Sun Tzu]

Tommy Frazier?

[mckerney]

Ricky Williams?

I'm pretty sure I know what he's doing, but just curious as to where he is. :p

[gottimd]

More like a Timmy Smith or a Michael Westbrook. Where is Desmond Howard, is he still in the league?

[Kodos]

I bet Ryan Leaf is doing something worthwhile now too. :)

[korme]

Desmond Howard I know sideline reports for college football.

[gottimd]

Crying.

Where is Rick Mirer?

[Bearcat729]

I bet Ryan Leaf is doing something worthwhile now too. :)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20040728-9999-1s28leafjmp.html

By Brent Schrotenboer
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

July 28, 2004



Ryan Leaf

Just six years since his arrival as the Chargers' savior, 28-year-old Ryan Leaf is starting over ... again.

He has a new life – without his former Charger Girl wife.

He has a new plan – as a student at Washington State.

After his football career finally petered out in 2002, he also has a new potential career – as a coach.

"I'd be more than happy to have Ryan Leaf join my staff or our program at any time in the future," said Mike Price, Leaf's former Washington State coach and the new head coach at Texas-El Paso. "We'd be honored to have somebody of Ryan's caliber coaching with us, and that's a possibility for us in the future."

It's a possibility for Leaf as long as he completes the college course work he left unfinished after becoming the No. 2 overall choice in the 1998 NFL draft.

On the eve of another NFL season, the career change also appears to mark the epilogue on Leaf's infamous tenure in San Diego. Just as the Chargers are set to unveil another quarterback of the future – Philip Rivers – Leaf has moved from San Diego to Moscow, Idaho, a nine-mile commute across the state border from Pullman, Wash., to attend classes at his alma mater.

Just don't expect him to talk about it with the San Diego media.

"Man, what the (expletive)?" Leaf said when contacted by the Union-Tribune. "How'd you get my number? If The San Diego Union-Tribune calls me again ... Man, you fools are stupid."

Leaf, who still loathes the public limelight, then hung up.

Many of those close to him were reluctant to be interviewed for this story. Football agent David Dunn, father-in-law Ray Lucia, family members and attorney Marc Stern all declined comment or did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Others who know him – and the few who want to talk about him publicly – describe his recent life changes as a wake-up call of sorts for Leaf, whose football career fizzled in a cloud of bad behavior, interceptions and injuries from 1998-2002. ESPN recently named him the biggest sports flop of the past 25 years.

"Look," said a colleague who asked not to be identified out of fear of incurring Leaf's wrath for talking to the media. "These are the cold, hard facts. Ryan Leaf's career is over at age (28). Everyone whines and bitches about how much money he was promised – a $30 million contract. No one talks about the flip side."

The flip side – according to documents and witnesses – is that Leaf has hit a major personal and professional transition in his life. Personally, Leaf, who married in February 2001, is going through a divorce after officially being separated from his wife, Nicole, in November 2003. Professionally, he's coming to terms with the fact there's virtually no chance he'll ever fulfill the promise of an arm that once earned him an $11.25 million signing bonus with the Chargers.

By the time he last held an NFL job in 2002, Leaf already had dropped off the rosters of the Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks. According to some, part of the reason for his short career was nagging injuries to his shoulder and wrist – health problems he blamed in part on the doctors who took care of him. Leaf even sued his doctors at Oasis Medical Group in November 2002, charging them with negligence in his treatment.

Stern withdrew the suit June 8.

"He was claiming there was an injury to his shoulder and wrist, which he claims were not properly treated," said Thomas Lotz, an attorney for the Oasis doctors. "But it wasn't showing up on the X-rays. The particular fracture on his wrist didn't show up until later on, and he continued to play during this time frame."

Lotz said they had "a lot of difficulty" in getting the deposition of Leaf to move the case forward. In the end, Lotz suspects Leaf dropped the case because of the difficulty he'd likely have in fighting for it – and the publicity it might bring. Stern declined comment about the matter, as did family members.

"You've got to be kidding me," said Leaf's mother, Marcia. "I'm not talking to the Union-Tribune. Goodbye."

In the wake of their pending divorce, Leaf's soon-to-be ex-wife Nicole still lives in San Diego and is still listed as a co-owner of a house the couple purchased after their separation. She filed for divorce June 30, citing irreconcilable differences in a marriage that lasted two years, eight months.

The two sold their former home in the Carmel Valley area late last year for $2.35 million. Within a few weeks, they were listed as joint owners of a new $990,000 home in the Rancho Bernardo area – though Leaf is said to be turning the new house over to his former wife in an uncontested divorce case.

In the past month, he was served his divorce papers in Idaho, where his return to the Northwest marks a bittersweet homecoming of sorts for the prodigal former prodigy. A native of Great Falls, Mont., Leaf recently was recognized as the "Enemy of the State" of his own home state in a poll by Sports Illustrated. He drew 10 percent of the most-hated votes from Montanans, beating out New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner (eight percent) and Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis (seven percent).

Though it wouldn't take much, Leaf's younger brother Brady might even eclipse Ryan's home state popularity by making a name for himself at Oregon, where he's listed as a backup redshirt freshman quarterback entering the 2004 season. At 6-foot-5, Brady Leaf has the same build and brawn that made Ryan a force in the Pac-10 in 1997.

Brady Leaf also has acquired a similar taste for the San Diego media. He declined to comment to the Union-Tribune about his brother's career change, conforming to the standard public position of those who both love and hate Ryan Leaf.

Good or bad, they'd rather not talk about him.

[korme]

Jeff George?

Or better yet, where's Jeff Garcia?

[mckerney]

Jeff George is sitting at home waiting for an NFL team to call. Perhaps Chicago will.

[mckerney]

Jeff George is sitting at home waiting for an NFL team to call. Perhaps Chicago will.

Nevermind, he called them.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/9776517.htm?1c

Until Monday, that is, when news the Bears needed a quarterback spread so quickly that even journeyman Jeff George called Halas Hall in case there was interest.

[Tigercat]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20040728-9999-1s28leafjmp.html

"Man, what the (expletive)?" Leaf said when contacted by the Union-Tribune. "How'd you get my number? If The San Diego Union-Tribune calls me again ... Man, you fools are stupid."

"You've got to be kidding me," said Leaf's mother, Marcia. "I'm not talking to the Union-Tribune. Goodbye."

Brady Leaf also has acquired a similar taste for the San Diego media. He declined to comment to the Union-Tribune about his brother's career change, conforming to the standard public position of those who both love and hate Ryan Leaf.

Good or bad, they'd rather not talk about him.

Damn, I wonder what this paper has done to the Leafs to get this kind of hatred. You would think they shot their house and burned down the family dog. Of course if trying to bug him and his family 5 years after he played there is any indication of their behavior I suppose I can understand. But Ryan, Ryan, Ryan. "You fools are stupid??" Good quote to give the press. More school for you will be excellent.

[Hurst2112]

Tommy Frazier?


Funny you should mention Frazier in the Wuerffel thread. I thought that Danny had a similar blood clotting ailment that Tommy had. I thought that was why Danny left the Saints...that and because he sucked.

BTW, Timmy Smith was the dead beat dad right? I remember a post about that a couple years back.

[Hurst2112]

DOLA:

Yatil Green?
Iheanyi Uwaezuoke? (copy and pasted that one)

[flere-imsaho]

I honestly can't understand why Jeff George is currently unemployed. There are plenty of teams out there for which he'd be a serious upgrade while either:

a) Their rookie QB learns the game
b) Their star QB recovers from injury
c) The front-office actually acquires a long-term QB.

What, does this guy have cooties?

[rkmsuf]

I honestly can't understand why Jeff George is currently unemployed. There are plenty of teams out there for which he'd be a serious upgrade while either:

a) Their rookie QB learns the game
b) Their star QB recovers from injury
c) The front-office actually acquires a long-term QB.

What, does this guy have cooties?

This is right up there in UIC.

[MikeVic]

Where's Yinka Dare?

[gottimd]

Where's Yinka Dare?

Right here, next to me.

[JeeberD]

Where's Yinka Dare?

Dead :(

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=20053

[Mustang]

What the hell happened to Natrone Means?

[The_herd]

What the hell happened to Natrone Means?

More importantly, where is Marion Butts?

[Buccaneer]

Ryan Leaf is an asshat.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Where is Rick Mirer?

Lions 3rd stringer.

Desmond Howard ended his career in Detroit too. Neck injury.

Where is Elvis?

[korme]

where is Scott Covington!?

[gottimd]

Whatever happened to Christian Okoye "The Nigerian Nightmare"?


Steve Entman? Quenten Coryatt? Dean Houston? Druez?

[korme]

Franklinnoble? The Afoci?

But really, Coryatt man. I think that is the best video I ever came across, when he was in college absolutely laying out some receiver who came up the middle.

[Crapshoot]

Good for Danny- its a laudable goal.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Im happy for Danny. So sad hoow his career went. He qb'ed my 2005 49ers team to the SB in Madden 98. Oh anyone know whatever happened to : Tony Rice Irsih QB in late 80's early 90's?

[The_herd]

Im happy for Danny. So sad hoow his career went. He qb'ed my 2005 49ers team to the SB in Madden 98. Oh anyone know whatever happened to : Tony Rice Irsih QB in late 80's early 90's?

After what his Irish team did to WVU in the title game I can't say I'm a big fan.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Oh anyone know whatever happened to : Tony Rice Irsih QB in late 80's early 90's?

The internet is a wonderous place ...

-- I mentioned Tony Rice in a column last week and a nice lady called and wanted to know what he was doing these days. The former Notre Dame quarterback from Woodruff, S.C., lives in Chicago where he is a fund raiser for his alma mater.
http://www.charleston.net/stories/092303/bur_23burger.shtml

[Pumpy Tudors]

Where Bernie Kosar at?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Whatever happened to Christian Okoye "The Nigerian Nightmare"?

Okoye is active with the Christian Okoye Foundation, which he created in 1990 to help underprivileged children. He also owns Okoye Fitness and Nutrition, a company that manufactures and distributes a variety of food supplements.
http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/okoyechristian.shtml
http://www.okoyefoundation.org/

Steve Entman?
Emtman, now a coach at UW, stopped by the booth and liked what he saw, later installing about 1,500 square feet of FieldTurf at his lakefront home near Sand Point. Emtman was impressed enough with the business that he offered to invest.

"At first I was kind of flattered," Davidson said. "I thought he was just being nice to us." Emtman was persistent, though, and Davidson eventually relented.

So Emtman is now the company president, dividing his time among Dream Turf, coaching and a real estate investment business.
http://www.dreamturf.com/Daily_Journal.htm

[andy m]

where is vai sikahema?

[Ben E Lou]

When Danny lived in Atlanta, he volunteered with Young Life (not in my corner of town, but over near where he lived). According to the guy who is in charge of the area he lived, he was an outstanding leader. He'd go up to the high school quite often, went on leadership retreats and had a significant impact on several high school guys he got to know.

[Pumpy Tudors]

where is vai sikahema?
This is the best question ever. I loved the goalpost boxing he used to do.

[gottimd]

This is the best question ever. I loved the goalpost boxing he used to do.


Last time I saw, back in the late 90's, he was on a Philly news channel as their sports correspondent/reporter.

[Bearcat729]

Vai Sikahema
Anchorman, Sports Reporter
Vai Sikahema, sports anchor/reporter for NBC 10 News at 4, 5, 6 and 11pm, joined WCAU in April 1994. Previously, he was the station's weekend sports anchor. His accomplished career in the NFL, as well as his strong and solid background in television, made him an easy choice to be part of NBC 10's sports department.

Sikahema retired from the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994. He joined the team in 1992 after completing the '91 season with the Green Bay Packers. Ranked first among the NFL's all-time career leaders in number of punt returns and second in punt return yardage, Sikahema is also a two-time All-Pro.

In 1986, while playing for the Phoenix Cardinals, he began his television career at KSAZ-TV. For the next four years, Sikahema reported and often shared the anchor desk. In 1991, he signed with the Green Bay Packers, and as his success on the field continued, he carved a niche for himself as a sports reporter for WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Sikahema is a native of Nuku'Alofa, Tonga, and at age seven, his family moved to Hawaii. He played college football (kick return specialist) for Brigham Young University, while earning his degree in Communications.

Sikahema resides in New Jersey with his wife and their four children.

For additional information contact:

[JonInMiddleGA]

Where Bernie Kosar at?

But the Youngstown, Ohio, native has been making some successful plays off the field as well, putting his degree in finance and economics from the University of Miami to work on the board of WildCard Systems, which specializes in electronic stored-value cards and accounts; and as an advisor with Precision Response Corp., a customer relationship management firm he joined in 1993.

"A lot of athletes start as 'front guys' or 'door openers,'" says Kosar. "I wasn't comfortable doing that. I like to really understand what I am doing."

However, it's his charitable work that scores the most points for this player who, for the past ten years, has served as chairman of the 45-member NFL Quarterback Club he helped to establish

http://www.miami.edu/campaign/donors/donors_dp_kosar.html