NFL GLOBAL JR. CHAMPIONSHIP IX

HISTORY OF THE NFL GLOBAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP 1997 - 2004

The NFL Global Junior Championship has evolved from a single game played to showcase the talents of young American football players from Europe and Mexico to become the exciting five-team tournament that is today an integral part of the Super Bowl celebrations.

The adventure began at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans when a quick and well-disciplined team of college freshmen and high school seniors representing Mexico proved too strong for a young Europe team and triumphed 30-6. A year later in San Diego in front of 9,000 fans, a 50-yard Europe field goal attempt fell short and Mexico was again victorious by a score of 13-12.

Team Europe won the championship at the third attempt at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Europe eliminated Mexico’s ability to make the big play and roared to a 29-8 win. German defensive end Constantin Ritzmann, now of the Buffalo Bills, claimed the MVP award in the same week as he committed to defending national college champion Tennessee.

In Atlanta in 2000 an expanded four-team tournament saw Europe sweep Panama 20-0 in the semi finals, while Canada edged hosts USA 9-3. In a Championship Game played in below freezing temperatures fans lit fires on the sidelines to fend off the cold as Canadian quarterback Mike Faulds orchestrated a 74-yard fourth quarter scoring drive to secure a slim 7-6 victory. In the bronze medal game USA romped to a 38-0 victory, keeping the Panamanians scoreless.

Tampa Bay, Florida, was the setting for the NFL Global Junior Championship V where the host USA team took advantage of early mistakes by Europe and stormed to a 49-5 semi final victory. Waiting for them to set up an all-North America final was Canada, 27-8 victors over Japan. The bronze medal went to the speedy Japanese whose three interceptions including one returned 85 yards for a touchdown defeated Europe 14-7. In the final and trailing 21-19, the Canadians tried to snatch victory at the death. Only a sack and finally an interception with 24 seconds remaining kept the USA defence on top to ensure a host nation triumphed for the first time.

Defending its title in 2002, the USA swept aside Europe 39-6 in the semi final as all stars from the greater New Orleans area high schools made their mark. Canada was determined to avenge its narrow loss of a year earlier and breezed into the final with a 54-12 destruction of Japan. Europe claimed the bronze medal, winning 27-16 against Japan, while the Championship Game was again a close affair. With defenses on top the USA led 16-8 until one of the stars of Canada’s 2000 triumph, quarterback Faulds, threw a Hail Mary touchdown as time expired to pull within two points. The deuce conversion attempt sailed through the hands of a wide receiver.

In San Diego in 2003 a record five teams competed as Mexico made a welcome return. On the second day Mexico outlasted Europe and beat Japan to finish third overall, while Europe shut out Japan to claim fourth place and place their opponents fifth. The Championship Game proved to be another thrilling encounter between USA and rival Canada. USA recovered from a 21-7 deficit in a dramatic fourth quarter to force overtime. Arizona-bound quarterback Richard Kovalcheck underlined his credentials and broke Canadian hearts with a second touchdown pass to Johnny Principato, who had also caught the game-tying score.

Texas state champion head coach Mike Johnston took charge of Team USA in 2004. Although the Houston-Harris County all stars lost to Canada in the first round stages, they recovered to retain the GJC crown with a 31-point shutout of their rivals from north of the border in the Championship Game. Mexico claimed third place from a spirited Japanese team, while the tournament welcomed a new competitor in Russia, representing the European continent.

NFL Global Junior Championship I
Super Bowl XXXI, New Orleans, LA
Mexico 30 Europe 6
Honorary Chairman: Tex Schramm, Dallas Cowboys

NFL Global Junior Championship II
Super Bowl XXXII, Chula Vista, CA
Mexico 13 Europe 12
Honorary Chairman: Darren Bennett, punter San Diego Chargers

NFL Global Junior Championship III
Super Bowl XXXIII, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Europe 29 Mexico 8
Honorary Chairman: Dwight Stephenson, center Miami Dolphins

NFL Global Junior Championship IV
Super Bowl XXXIV, Atlanta, GA
Semi final: Europe 20 Panama 0
Semi final: Canada 9 USA 3
Bronze Medal: USA 38 Panama 0
Gold Medal: Canada 7 Europe 6
Honorary Chairman: Dan Reeves,
Head Coach Atlanta Falcons

NFL Global Junior Championship V
Super Bowl XXXV, Clearwater, FL
Semi final: Canada 27 Japan 8
Semi final: USA 49 Europe 5
Bronze Medal: Japan 14 Europe 12
Gold Medal: USA 21 Canada 19
Honorary Chairman: Hassan Jones,
wide receiver Minnesota Vikings
Banquet Speaker: Mile Alstott,
Fullback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Global Junior Championship VI
Super Bowl XXXVI, New Orleans, LA
Semi final: Canada 54 Japan 12
Semi final: USA 39 Europe 6
Bronze Medal: Europe 27 Japan 16
Gold Medal: USA 16 Canada 14
Honorary Chairmen: La' Roi Glover, defensive tackle / Jake Delhomme, quarterback, New Orleans Saints
Banquet speaker: Nick Saban,
Head Coach LSU

NFL Global Junior Championship VII
Super Bowl XXXVII, San Diego, CA
First round results:
USA 24 Japan 3 / Europe 7 Canada 17
Japan 0 Mexico 14 / Canada 23 USA 29 OT
Mexico 7 Europe 12 / Japan 7 Canada 21
USA 7 Europe 0 / Canada 14 Mexico 0
Europe 14 Japan 7 / Mexico 7 USA 9
Bronze Medal Games: Europe 23 Japan 0 Japan 7 Mexico 21 / Mexico 10 Europe 5
Championship Game: USA 28 Canada 21 (in overtime)
Honorary Chairman: Darren Bennett,
punter, San Diego Chargers
Banquet Speaker: Good luck video message from John Madden

NFL Global Junior Championship VIII
Super Bowl XXXVIII, Houston, TX
First round results:
Mexico 7 Russia 0 / Canada 10 Japan 2 / USA 28 Russia 0 / Mexico 6 Japan 0
Canada 7 USA 3 / Japan 12 Russia 7 /
Canada 14 Mexico 0 / USA 35 Japan 0 /
Canada 27 Russia 0 / USA 2 Mexico 0
Bronze Medal Games: Mexico 28 Russia 0 / Japan 17 Russia 0 / Mexico 34 Japan 0
Championship Game: USA 31 Canada 0
Honorary Chairman: Elvin Bethea, Hall of Fame DE, Houston Oilers
Banquet Speaker: BJ Symons,
Quarterback Texas Tech