FALCONS IN THE PROS
Martin Bayless Mark Miller Dave Preston Phil Villapiano
More than 45 former Falcon football players have been drafted by or played for a team in the National Football League, American Football League World Football League United States Football League or Canadian Football League. Among them have been several players who have made significant contributions to their professional team - players such as Bernie Casey, a wide receiver with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the 1960s; Bob Reynolds, an offensive tackle with the St. Louis Cardinals for more than a decade; Jamie Rivers, a linebacker for three pro teams for nine years; Bob Schnelker, an offensive end with the New York Giants; Phil Villapiano, an all-pro linebacker with the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills; Mike Weger, a Detroit Lions defensive back and Dave Preston, an all-purpose back with the Denver Broncos. Currently, several former Falcons dot the rosters of professional teams. They include defensive back Martin Bayless with the San Diego Chargers, center Doug Smith with the Los Angeles Rams, and John Park with the British Columbia Lions (CFL). Two members of Bowling Green's Class of '87 were in NFL training camps this summer. Tight end Gerald Bayless was vying for a spot on the Cleveland Browns' roster, while offensive lineman Mike Estep was invited to the New York Jets' pre-season camp. A list of former Falcons and their professional experience follows:
Dirk Abernathy - Oakland, 1979 John Park - British Columbia (CFL), 1981-SA Larry Baker - NY Titans (AFL), I960 Rick Perrin - NY Giants, 1969-70 Gerald Bayless - Cleveland, 1987 Shawn Potts - Cleveland (NFL), Pittsburgh, Chicago, Martin Bayless - St. Louis, Buffalo, San Diego Houston (USFL), Buffalo, 1983-86 1984-SA Dave Preston - New England, Denver, (NFL), Denver Tony Bell - Baltimore, 1973 (USFL), 1977-84 Ed Bettridge - Cleveland, 1964 Bob Reynolds - St. Louis, Boston, 1963-75 Bernie Casey - SF, LA, 1961-68 Roger Reynolds - NY Giants, 1969-70 Jay Cunningham - Boston, 1965-67 Jamie Rivers - St. Louis, NY Jets, Houston, 1968-76 Dave Cranmer - Calgary (CFL), 1969 Ken Russell - Detroit, 1957-59 Sean Dykes - San Diego, NY Jets, 1986-SA Dan Saleet - Cleveland, 1978 Mike Estep - NY Jets, 1987 Tom Saleet - NY Jets, 1978 Joe Green - NY Giants, 1970-71 Bob Schnelker - Philadelphia, NY Giants, Minnesota, Jeff Groth - Miami, Houston, New Orleans, 1979-86 Pittsburgh, 1952-62 Stan Hunter - NY Giants, NY Jets, 1986-SA Doug Smith - Los Angeles, 1978-SA Jerry Jones - New Orleans, 1966-68 Fred Sturt - St. Louis, Washington, New England, New Gene Jones - New Orleans, 1976 Orleans, 1972-82 Jim Ladd - Chicago Cardinals, 1954-56 Stu Tolle - Cleveland, 1985 Don Lisbon - San Francisco, 1963-67 Vince Villanucci - Buffalo, Toronto (CFL), 1986-SA Brian McClure - Buffalo, 1986-87 Phil Villapiano - Oakland, Buffalo, 1971-83 Greg Meehan - San Diego, Cincinnati, 1986-87 Roger Wallace - Jacksonville (WFL) Paul Miles - Memphis (WFL), 1974 Mike Weger - Detroit, San Diego, Houston, 1967-78 Mark Miller - Cleveland, Green Bay, Kansas City, Oakland Jack Williams - St. Louis (NFL), Ottawa (CFL), 1978-86 (NFL), Michigan (USFL), 1978-83 Heath Wingate - Washington, 1967 Tom Moriarty - Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Michigan (USFL), Andre Young - Cincinnati, Calgary (CFL), Green Bay, 1977-83 1983-86 Mike Obrovac - Cincinnati, Green Bay, 1981-85 Gehad Youssef - New England, Miami, 1984-86