ALL AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S TEAM FLORIDA ANNOUNCES THEIR FIRST PLAYER SIGNINGS PLUS FRONT OFFICE AND COACHING STAFF APPOINTMENTS

Former Gators players offered contracts to attend Team Florida training camp

GAINESVILLE, FL. (Sept. 5, 2007) – Team Florida of the All American Football League today announced the appointment of Shane Matthews as Head Coach and Wayne McDaniel as team President.  The appointments were announced by Lee McGriff, Chairman of the Board of Team Florida.  In addition, Team Florida has extended contracts to nine former Gators players to attend the team’s pre-season training camp next March.

 Last week, League officials joined representatives from the University of Florida’s Athletic Association to announce an agreement for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to be a venue for Team Florida.  The team will play three of its five home games at the famed venue during the inaugural 2008 season.

The All American Football League is aligning with the passion for college football and the year-round fan interest in the game’s traditions and rivalries.  The League’s spring schedule is designed to satisfy fans who hunger for quality football between the NFL and college seasons.  In addition to Florida, the League’s charter teams will be located in avid college football markets with teams representing the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan Tennessee and Texas.

“As evidenced by the Team Florida front office personnel and coaching staff along with the players who’ve been offered contracts, we are committed to building teams around people who played for the universities hosting League teams,” said McGriff.  “These former players continue to have a strong following among the school’s alumni and other die-hard fans who we believe are very interested in seeing these players once again compete under their school colors,” he said.

McGriff exemplifies the school ties the League is fostering in the make-up of the six charter teams that will begin play next April.  A consensus 1^st team, All-SEC wide receiver, McGriff was the Captain of the 1974 Florida Gators team that played in the Sugar Bowl.  Following a career in the NFL, he returned to the Gators as an assistant coach from 1978-82 and later served as a color analyst for Gator radio broadcasts for 11 seasons. 

Following his graduation from the University of Florida, McDaniel has maintained a long and distinguished relationship with his alma mater.  In 1978, he joined the University of Florida Alumni Association where he served for 26 years. As the Executive Director of the Alumni Association, he oversaw all alumni relations for the University before retiring in June, 2004.

Head Coach Shane Matthews concluded his four-year career with the Gators as the school's all-time leading passer.  He finished 5th in Heisman Trophy voting in 1991 and later went on to play for six teams in a 14-year career in the NFL where he was a starter for both Chicago and Washington.

Members of the Team Florida coaching staff as announced by Matthews include:

     - Jim Collins – Defensive Coordinator (former coach at the University of Florida, Marshall, Duke and in the NFL)

     - Red Anderson – Defensive Line Coach (former University of Florida coach)

     - Terry Jackson – Running Backs Coach (former Gators running back)

Former Gators players who have been offered contracts to participate in pre-season training camp include: Travis McGriff, Ran Carthon, Judd Davis, Chris Doering, Tony George, Willie Jackson, Steve Rissler, Fred Weary and Eli Williams.

In addition to tapping into the passion that exists for the college game among former players and fans, another point of difference is the League’s player eligibility requirement.  Players selected by the League must have earned their Bachelor’s degree in addition to exhausting their college football eligibility. 

Adding to the Florida connection, 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel will serve as a League spokesman.  Wuerffel led the Gators to four consecutive SEC championships and the 1996 National Championship and is one of the most highly decorated players in college football history recognized for both his athletic and academic achievements.

“We know the passion for college football is unrivaled among Florida fans and in the other the markets we’ve identified to host teams,” said League Board Chairman and former NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey.  “Fans in these markets are enthusiastic about having the opportunity to see players who competed for some of the most storied programs in college football once again brought together to compete against former rivals,” he said.

For more information on the All American Football League fans, can log on to www.allamericanfootballleague.com.