Todd Hammel Explained

Todd Hammel
Number:5, 8, 11, 15
Position:Quarterback
Birth Date:7 December 1966
Birth Place:Durant, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:220
High School:Durant (OK)
College:Stephen F. Austin
Draftyear:1990
Draftround:12
Draftpick:307
Pastteams:
Highlights:
  • AFL All Star
Aflstatlabel1:Comp. / Att.
Aflstatvalue1:2,255 / 3,964
Aflstatlabel2:Passing yards
Aflstatvalue2:28,022
Aflstatlabel3:TDINT
Aflstatvalue3:442–150
Aflstatlabel4:Passer rating
Aflstatvalue4:91.05
Aflstatlabel5:Rushing TD
Aflstatvalue5:64
Afl:657

Todd Layne Hammel (born December 7, 1966) is a former professional arena football player who played for 10 teams since his Arena Football League (AFL) career began in 1992. He is the great-grandson of Oklahoma Indian Chief Quana Parker and a member of the Comanche tribe. He is a distant relative of QB Sam Bradford.

Early life

Hammel attended Durant High School in Durant, Oklahoma, and was a four sport letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and track. As a junior, he helped lead his football team to the 1983–84 Class 3–A State Championship. He also helped lead the Lions in basketball to a District Championship. Hammel graduated from Durant High School in 1985.

College career

Hammel played college football for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. As a senior, he helped lead his team to a 9–1–1 regular season record, the No. 3 ranking in final Division I-AA poll, and a berth in the 1989 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game. Hammel was named a first team All-Conference pick and the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He finished his college career with 8,631 passing yards and 65 touchdowns. He left Stephen F. Austin as the school's all-time leader in passing attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and total yardage.[1]

Statistics

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
SeasonPassing
Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rate
198774 151 49.0 864 5.7 3 13 86.4
1988154 329 46.8 2,403 7.3 14 15 113.1
1989316 577 54.7 5,364 9.3 48 23 152.3
Career 544 1,060 51.3 8,631 8.1 65 51 130.3

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Hammel in the 12th round (307th overall) of the 1990 NFL draft.[2]

Atlanta Falcons

On December 5, 1990, Hammel was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, but was released on December 12.[3] [4]

New York/New Jersey Knights

In 1991, he played for the New York/New Jersey Knights in the World League of American Football (WLAF).[5] Hammel started the first game in Knights franchise history against the Barcelona Dragons, but was replaced in the first half by Jeff Graham.[6]

Dallas Texans

In 1992, Hammel played for the Dallas Texans of the Arena Football League (AFL). In his first season with the Texans, Hammel threw for 28 touchdowns on 157 of 308 attempts for 1,799 yards. Hammel led the Texans to a playoff victory over the Albany Firebirds where he threw four touchdown passes.[7] In 1993, Hammel returned and threw for 39 touchdowns and 2,287 yards.

Fort Worth Cavalry

In 1994, Hammel signed with the expansion franchise Fort Worth Cavalry of the (AFL). General Manager and head coach Michael Trigg was Hammel's offensive coordinator the two years he spent in Dallas. Hammel split playing time with fellow quarterback Kyle Mackey. On the season, Hammel tossed 28 touchdowns while passing for 1,745 yards.

Milwaukee Mustangs

In 1995, Hammel signed with the Milwaukee Mustangs of the (AFL). Hammel followed Trigg's to Milwaukee where he played for the Mustangs for five seasons. In 1998, he threw for a career high 60 touchdowns and 3,100 yards. In 1999, he became the first player in Arena Football League history to pass for 18,000 yards, 300 touchdowns and 1,500 completions.[8]

Florida Bobcats

In 2000, Hammel signed with the Florida Bobcats of the (AFL). He appeared in three games for the Bobcats.[9]

Houston Thunderbears

In 2001, Hammel signed with the Houston Thunderbears of the (AFL), who were a traveling team for the season.[10]

Grand Rapids Rampage

In 2002, Hammel signed with the Grand Rapids Rampage midway through the season where he appeared in two games. In week 12 against the Chicago Rush, he relieved starting quarterback Clint Dolezel and led the Rampage to 20 straight points in a near come from behind victory.[11] [12]

Las Vegas Gladiators

In 2003, Hammel signed with the Las Vegas Gladiators of the (AFL).[13]

Philadelphia Soul

In 2004, Hammel signed with the Philadelphia Soul of the (AFL).[14]

Chicago Rush

In 2005, Hammel signed with the Chicago Rush of the (AFL). In his first start of the season against the Nashville Cats he threw for 223 yards and five touchdowns in a 45–38 victory, filling in for injured starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw.[15] The following week, he won his next start throwing six touchdowns on 21 of 25 completions against the Grand Rapids Rampage.[16]

Colorado Crush

In 2006, Hammel signed with the Colorado Crush of the (AFL).[17]

Milwaukee Iron

On May 28, 2009, Hammel signed with the Milwaukee Iron of the AF2.[18] At 42 years of age, Hammel returned to professional football after not playing the previous two seasons. He was the oldest player in the league.[19] In the season finale, Hammel completed 24 of 35 passes for 317 yards and seven touchdowns against the Albany Firebirds.[20]

Jacksonville Sharks

In July of 2010, Hammel signed with the Jacksonville Sharks of the (AFL). Following an injury to Sharks' starting quarterback Aaron Garcia, Hammell was signed to backup Bernard Morris. He never appeared in a game for the Sharks.[21]

Chicago Rush (second stint)

On August 7, 2010, Hammel signed with the Chicago Rush of the (AFL). Hammel was signed as a backup quarterback for the playoffs. The Rush had been without a backup since starting quarterback Russ Michna went down with an injury. For the playoffs, he did not appear in a game while backing up J. J. Raterink.[22]

Utah Blaze

On July 7, 2011, Hammel signed with the Utah Blaze of the (AFL). The Blaze would be Hammel's 13th and final indoor football team. Hammel started and played the final three games of the season. In game 17 against the New Orleans Voodoo, Hammel found wide receiver Chris Bocage on a game winning touchdown pass in the final seconds.[23] In the season finale against the Cleveland Gladiators, he threw seven touchdowns while completing 31-of-44 passes for 355 yards in a 76–69 victory.[24]

Career statistics

WLAF statistics

YearTeamGamesPassingRushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
NY/NJ9 1 0–1 25 55 45.5 321 5.8 2 3 53.7 13 58 4.4 1
Career 9 1 0–1 25 55 45.5 321 5.8 2 3 53.7 13 58 4.4 1

AFL statistics

Year Team Passing Rushing
157 308 51.0 1,799 28 12 75.39 31 61 2
194 402 48.3 2,287 39 17 72.64 32 95 7
141 253 55.7 1,745 28 11 86.82 17 16 5
191 339 56.3 2,306 31 10 87.95 28 32 7
246 393 62.6 3,116 41 13 99.58 27 47 12
238 415 57.3 3,134 44 17 90.78 24 1 9
280 455 61.5 3,100 60 17 99.15 17 19 3
253 471 53.7 3,390 48 13 90.81 36 46 8
10 21 47.6 181 2 1 81.65 1 -1 0
168 301 55.8 2,221 34 14 88.20 10 28 7
11 20 55.0 138 2 1 80.83 1 2 2
80 137 58.4 969 17 5 96.03 3 0 1
143 247 57.9 1,878 36 12 98.20 3 4 0
55 76 72.4 754 15 3 126.86 3 2 1
8 9 88.9 75 0 0 101.39 1 -1 0
Chicago
80 117 68.4 929 17 4 114.23 1 1 0
Career 2,255 3,964 56.9 28,022 422 150 91.05 235 352 64
Stats from ArenaFan:[25]

af2 statistics

YearTeamGamesPassingRushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
Milwaukee8 8 3–5 175 282 62.1 2,168 7.7 39 10 105.6 6 9 1.5 0
Career 8 8 3–5 175 282 62.1 2,168 7.7 39 10 105.6 6 9 1.5 0
Stats from TheStatGuys:[26]

Personal life

He has a twin brother, Tad. Todd is married to Tanna Bryant and they currently reside in McKinney, Texas.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks record book - pg. 4. sfajacks.com. October 21, 2024.
  2. Web site: 1990 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-05-25 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  3. Web site: The Atlanta Falcons signed rookie quarterback Todd Hammel to... . December 5, 1990. October 21, 2024. upi.com. UPI Archives.
  4. Web site: Todd Hammel transactions . October 21, 2024. October 21, 2024. profootballarchives.com. Pro Football Archives.
  5. http://www.footballdb.com/players/todd-hammel-hammeto01 Todd Hammel Career Statistics – The Football Database
  6. Web site: First WLAF Game on TV, 3/24/1991 (First half) . October 15, 2022. October 21, 2024. youtube.com. ABC.
  7. News: Botched conversions by Firebirds were the difference in game. . Tome Boggie . August 9, 1992 . October 31, 2013.
  8. Web site: 2006 Upper Deck AFL #28 Todd Hammel . 2024-10-22 . beckett.com . en.
  9. Web site: Todd Hammel Player profile . October 21, 2024. October 21, 2024. profootballarchives.com. Pro Football Archives.
  10. Web site: ThunderBears still searching for a home . June 22, 2001. October 21, 2024. chron.com. CHRON..
  11. Web site: Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes . March 23, 2003. October 21, 2024. oursportscentral.com. Grand Rapids Rampage.
  12. Web site: Week 12: Chicago 56 at Grand Rapids 50 . July 6, 2002. October 21, 2024. arenafan.com. Arena Fan.
  13. Web site: Gladiators acquire top Arena League QB . September 24, 2003. October 21, 2024. lasvegassun.com. Las Vegas Sun.
  14. Web site: Tough task ahead for Bon Jovi and Philly Soul . September 24, 2021. October 21, 2024. pottsmerc.com. The Mercury.
  15. Web site: AFL- Nashville Kats vs Chicago Rush - March 6, 2005 . March 6, 2005. October 21, 2024. wireimage.com. Wire Image.
  16. Web site: Hammel, Molden a winning combo . March 14, 2005. October 21, 2024. chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune.
  17. Web site: League honors founder Foster . February 14, 2006. October 21, 2024. denverpost.com. The Denver Post.
  18. Web site: Todd Hammel Signs With Iron . May 28, 2009. October 21, 2024. oursportscentral.com. Milwaukee Mustangs.
  19. Web site: Iron sign QB Todd Hammel . May 28, 2009. October 21, 2024. milwaukeeindoorarenafootball.com. Milwaukee Indoor/Arena Football.
  20. Web site: Iron Loses Season Finale to Firebirds, 58-55 . July 26, 2009. October 21, 2024. theworldoffootball.com. The World of Football.
  21. Web site: Shoulder injury sidelines QB Aaron Garcia . July 22, 2010. October 21, 2024. jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union.
  22. Web site: Rush adds AFL veteran Hammel as backup QB for playoffs . August 7, 2010. October 21, 2024. arenafan.com. Arena Fan.
  23. Web site: 2012 Utah Blaze Media guide pgs. 92–94 . October 22, 2024. October 22, 2024. funwhileitlasted.com. Utah Blaze.
  24. Web site: Utah Blaze finish season with .500 record . July 22, 2011. October 21, 2024. deseret.com. Deseret News.
  25. Web site: Todd Hammel . arenafan.com . October 22, 2024.
  26. Web site: Todd Hammel Individual statistics . thestatguys.com . October 24, 2024.