Rage Head Coach has Fond Draft Memories

April 23, 2008 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
RiverCity Rage News Release


St. Charles, MO - The NFL Draft of 1985 started, as it usually does, with a bang. The first six players picked, including first overall pick Bruce Smith, would go on to have Pro Bowl careers. With the 16th pick the San Francisco 49ers took a chance on a small-school wide receiver named Jerry Rice. More great players would follow, including Randall Cunningham, Jack Del Rio, and the "Fridge." All the while, a cornerback at the University of Wisconsin named Ken Stills went to class, as he would any other day.

"We all woke up at 5:30 that morning," said Stills. "We had a good team and we knew that we were going to have some guys get drafted early. Then boom, boom, boom - three guys go in the first round. Al Toon went 10th, Richard Johnson goes 11th and Darryl Sims went 20th. I had a 9:45 class and I left. I wasn't even thinking about getting drafted.

"The Packers had hosted a workout at our campus earlier that month for all of our eligible players," added Stills. "I was the only one who showed up. I took advantage and worked my tail off. Ken Riley (Packers Defensive Backs Coach) said that they were interested in drafting me. But I still wasn't that sure. Anybody can say that they're interested.

"After class we were all still hanging out," remembers Stills. "The draft wasn't on TV any more. They didn't show all of the rounds like they do today. Then my phone rings and it's the Giants. They said they wanted to draft me but their pick was still a ways down. Not much longer after I hung up the phone it rang again and it was (Packers Head Coach) Forrest Gregg. He said 'How would you like to be a Green Bay Packer?' That was all I needed to hear. My teammate Gary Ellerson was also drafted by the Packers and we started packing.

"I know how these guys are feeling this weekend," said Stills. "Looking back on that day it still is one of the most exciting days of my life. I really didn't think I was going to get drafted. The NFL had the saying 'Hold on to your dreams.' I did just that and it happened. I wouldn't have had it any other way."

The Rage end their three-game homestand this Saturday as they welcome the Sioux Falls Storm to the Family Arena. This will be the first meeting between these two teams in the United Indoor Football League. The Storm have won all three league titles since the inception of the UIF. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free Rage checkbook cover courtesy of Reliance Bank. Great tickets remain for the game with prices starting at just $5. Call (636) 896.4285 or visit ragefootball.com to order your tickets today.



United Indoor Football Association Stories from April 23, 2008


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