Kurt Kittner

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Kurt Kittner
Retired — No.
Quarterback
Date of birth: January 23, 1980 (1980-01-23) (age 28)
Place of birth: Schaumburg, Illinois
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 221 lb (100 kg)
National Football League debut
2003 for the Atlanta Falcons
Career history
NFL Draft: 2002 / Round: 5 / Pick: 151
 Teams:
Career highlights and awards
  • No notable achievements
Stats at NFL.com

Kurt Kittner (born January 23, 1980 in Schaumburg, Illinois) is an American football player who most recently played quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Prior to playing professional football, he was a record-setting quarterback for the University of Illinois, leading them to the 2001 Big Ten Championship.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] College career

Becoming a starter near the end of his freshman year at Illinois under head coach [[Ron Turner (football coach)|Ron Turner]], Kittner became one of the most prolific passers in Illinois history. He ended his tenure at Illinois as the school's all-time leader in career passing attempts (1,264), career passing touchdowns (70), passing touchdowns in a single season (27), and victories as a quarterback (24). Kittner wrapped up his collegiate career only 3 yards shy of Jack Trudeau's Illini record for all time passing yards. Entering his senior year, Kurt was considered a possible Heisman candidate. Kittner and receiver Brandon Lloyd led Illinois' offense as the Fighting Illini finished with a 7-1 record in the Big Ten and won their first Big Ten championship in 11 years on their way to a berth in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. Kittner's last collegiate game ended in a 47-34 defeat at the hands of the LSU Tigers.

[edit] Pro career

[edit] Atlanta Falcons

Kittner was drafted in the 5th round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He saw no action in his rookie year, warming the bench behind 2001 first overall pick, Michael Vick. In 2003, after a preseason injury sidelined Vick and ineffective play caused second-string quarterback Doug Johnson to be benched, Kittner saw his first regular season action. Playing in seven games (four of which he started), he threw for 391 yards, scoring 2 touchdowns and throwing 6 interceptions. When asked about the interceptions, he was quoted as saying "At least someone caught them." The highlight was an 27-7 win over the New York Giants at Giants Stadium where Kittner threw for a touchdown. The Falcons ended the season however with a 5-11 record.

[edit] Turbulent times

Since then, Kittner has not seen any further playing time in the NFL, having been released from 5 different teams (the Falcons, Bengals, Giants, Patriots, and Steelers) in a 7-month span during the 2004 offseason. He did manage to make headlines in 2005, leading the Amsterdam Admirals to an NFL Europe World Bowl title. His 239 passing yards and two touchdowns in World Bowl XIII earned him most valuable player honors for the game. He is the second graduate of Schaumburg High School to earn the honor; Paul Justin won the award 10 years earlier for the Frankfurt Galaxy.

[edit] Chicago Bears

In 2005, Kittner was invited to training camp with the Chicago Bears and coach Turner, then offensive coordinator for Chicago. He earned a roster spot as the third-string quarterback. After starter Rex Grossman was injured in camp, journeyman Jeff Blake was brought in to back up rookie starter Kyle Orton, leaving Kittner at third string. When Grossman returned from injury, Kittner was released on November 23, 2005, without playing a regular season down for the Bears.

[edit] Life after football

Kittner currently resides in Chicago with his girlfriend Leila Cehajic, a former University of Illinois tennis player. He works for Staubach in Chicago doing commercial real estate. In July 2007, Kittner was named the color analyst for University of Illinois football radio broadcasts, replacing long-time analyst Jim Grabowski.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Atlanta Falcons starting quarterbacks
R. Johnson • Berry • Lee • Bartkowski • Archer • Campbell • Miller • Hebert • George • Chandler • Vick • D. Johnson • Kittner • Harrington • Leftwich • Redman