Promotion
CIS grads to face off in Super Bowl for first time ever

CIS grads to face off in Super Bowl for first time ever

With files from McGill University Athletics Department

Former University of Calgary Dinos lineman Dan Federkeil and former University of Manitoba Bison Israel Idonije are about to make history.

Last year McGill University grad and current Seattle Seahawks J.P. Darche became the second football player out of the CIS to suit up in a Super Bowl (17 CIS players have played in the NFL in total).

This year, when the Colts take on the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, CIS players will be on the opposing side of the ball for the first time ever. Israel Idonije plays defensive line for the Bears. Dan Federkeil is a reserve offensive lineman and special teams player for the Colts.

The first CIS grad to play in a Super Bowl was punter Ken Clark (St. Mary’s) with the Rams in 1979. Tyrone Williams (Western) got a Super Bowl ring with the Cowboys in the 1990s, but was a practice roster player and thus did not suit up in the game.

ALL-TIME LIST OF CIS PLAYERS IN THE NFL
(in order of first appearance in NFL, courtesy McGill athletics):

To date, the CIS has produced 19 players who have earned a spot on an NFL roster (including four who did not play a regular season game):

1960 Bill Crawford, UBC, OG. Signed as a free-agent by New York Giants. Played four regular season games for the Giants in 1960.

1965 Jim Young, Queen's, RB/R. Signed as a free-agent by Minnesota Vikings. Played six regular season games for Minnesota from 1965 to 1966.

1976 Brian Fryer, Alberta, R. Drafted by Washington in 8th round (234th overall). Played four regular season games for Seahawks in 1976 and stayed on practice roster in 1977 and 1978.

1979 Ken Clark, Saint Mary's, P. Signed as a free-agent by LA Rams. Played three regular season games and was first CIS player to appear in the Super Bowl (XIV, 1980, Rams lost 31-19 to Pittsburgh).

1986 Mike Schad, Queen's, OG. Drafted by LA Rams in 1st round (23rd overall). Only CIS player selected in first round of NFL Draft. Played seven regular season games for Rams (1987 and 1988) and 55 games for Philadelphia (1989-93).

1992 Tyrone Williams, Western Ontario, WR. Drafted by Arizona in 9th round (239th overall). Played five regular season games for Dallas in 1993. Was on Dallas roster but did not dress when the Cowboys beat Buffalo 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII (1994), making him the only player to win a Vanier Cup ring (1991), a Grey Cup ring (1996, Toronto) and a Super Bowl ring.

1995 Tim Tindale, Western Ontario, RB. Signed as a free-agent by Buffalo Bills. Played 37 regular season games for Buffalo (1995-1997) and two playoff games. Was on the Chicago Bears practice roster in 1997.

1995 Mark Montreuil, Concordia, CB. Drafted by San Diego in 7th round (237th overall). Played 35 regular season games for San Diego (1995-1997).

1995 Mark Hatfield, Bishop's, OL. Signed as a free-agent by Miami Dolphins. Was on Miami Dolphins practice roster (1995) and the Houston Oilers practice roster (1996). Did not play in an official NFL game.

1996 Grayson Shillingford, UBC, SB. Signed as a free-agent by Seattle Seahawks. Was on the Seattle practice roster (1996-1997). Did not play in an official NFL game.

1998 Jerome Pathon, Acadia & U. of Washington, R. Drafted by Indianapolis in 2nd round (32nd overall). Played 46 regular season games for Indianapolis (1998-2001), 45 games for New Orleans (2002-2004) and 8 games with Atlanta Falcons (2005). Played in 99 career NFL games, making 260 catches for 3,350 yards and 15 TDs;

2001 Randy Chevrier, McGill, LS/DE. Drafted by Jacksonville in 7th round (241st overall). Played as a long-snapper in eight regular season games for Dallas and five games with Cincinnati in 2001. Also played in NFL Eyrope and has played in the CFL since 2002. Won Grey Cup with Edmonton in 2003. Currently with Calgary Stampeders.

2003 Jean-Philippe Darche, McGill, LS/LB. Signed as a free-agent by Seattle Seahawks. Enters 2006 season having played 96 regular season games at long-snapper for Seattle (2000-05) and has handled all of Seattle's long-snapping duties for six consecutive seasons (heading into 2006 season). Became the second CIS player to play in the Super Bowl (XL, Seattle lost 21-10 to Pittsburgh in 2006).

2003 Israel Idonije, Manitoba, DL. Signed as a free-agent by Cleveland Browns. Was on Cleveland practice roster in 2003, Played 15 regular season games for Chicago Bears in 2004 and 11 games in 2005. Was on Chicago main roster heading into 2006 season.

2004 Steve Morley, Saint Mary's, OG/OT. Signed as a free-agent with Green Bay Packers in 2004 but served on the pracice roster. Traded to N.Y. Jets in 2005 and played in seven regular season games.

2005 Jesse Lumsden, McMaster, RB. Signed as a free-agent by Seattle Seahawks in 2005 (released following training camp). Signed as a free agent by Washington Redskins in 2006 but was released following training camp. Did not play in an official NFL game.

2006 Dan Federkeil, Calgary, DE. Signed as free-agent defensive end by Indianapolis Colts on in 2006 and was converted to offensive tackle. Enters the 2006 season on team's practice roster.

2006 Jon Ryan, Regina, P. Won starting punter job in Green Bay this season.