Ken Mastrole (born February 25, 1977) is an American former football player. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL), NFL Europe, and intercollegiate football at the University of Maryland and University of Rhode Island.
Early life Mastrole was born on February 25, 1977, and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.1997 University of Maryland Football Season Preview , University of Maryland, College Park, July 10, 1997. He attended Cardinal Gibbons High School where he played football.Mastrole throws four TD passes, The Miami Herald, October 23, 1994. He was highly recruited out of high school, with interest from Duke, Miami, Clemson, and Virginia Tech. He ultimately chose to attend Maryland. His high school coach said that "he liked everything about Maryland—the atmosphere, the school, the curriculum, the football program."Maryland lands Gibbons' Mastrole, The Miami Herald, December 14, 1994.
College career
Maryland Mastrole sat out his true freshman year in 1995 on redshirt status. During the following two seasons, he served as the back-up behind starting quarterback Brian Cummings.Maryland - Florida State Depth Chart, University of Maryland, retrieved May 7, 2009.
In 1996, he saw action in eight games, including three starts. Mastrole was the first redshirt freshman to ever start as a quarterback at Maryland. He recorded a total of 36 completions in 89 attempts for 354 yards and one touchdown.Maryland Football 1998 Outlook , University of Maryland, August 13, 1998. Against Virginia, starting quarterback Brian Cummings separated his right shoulder, and Mastrole relieved him. He recorded nine completions on 15 attempts for 66 yards and two interceptions.Virginia Grinds Out 21-3 Victory Over Terps, University of Maryland, September 14, 1996. Mastrole started against West Virginia in place of an injured Brian Cummings, and became the first quarterback in Maryland history to start as a freshman. The following week, he started against NC State, where he completed 15 of 28 pass attempts for 140 yards and one interception.Wolfpack Downs Terps, 34-8, University of Maryland, October 5, 1996. In that game, he completed a career-best 52-yard pass to Geroy Simon in the fourth quarter and then connected with tight end Tim Brown for a two-point conversion.Previewing The North Carolina Game, University of Maryland, October 12, 1996. He started against Duke in place of Cummings who had suffered a concussion the previous week. Mastrole completed five of 17 passes for 106 yards including his career first touchdown pass,Final Facts From The Field , University of Maryland, October 26, 1996. but suffered a fractured right clavicle which ended his season.Terps Play Host to No. 7 North Carolina; Continue Acc Slate , University of Maryland, September 15, 1997.
In 1997, he saw action in seven games as a backup and threw 19 passes. Against Florida State, he saw action in the Terrapins' last two series, where he completed one pass for nine yards and made two rushing attempts. Against Virginia, he completed three of 11 pass attempts for 47 yards.ACC Rookie-of-the-Year Candidate Jordan Nears Maryland Freshman Rushing Record; Continues to Pile Up Offensive Numbers , University of Maryland, November 5, 1997.
In 1998, Mastrole shared playing time with Randall Jones. Mastrole started against West Virginia, but was held to three completions on nine passes for 27 yards, before being replaced by Jones in the third quarter.Mountaineers' offense too much for Terps , University of Maryland, September 19, 1998. In the fourth game of the season, against Temple, Mastrole completed a 39-yard pass for his first touchdown since the 1996 season.Football Tops Temple, 30-20 , University of Maryland, September 26, 1998.
Rhode Island After Maryland head coach Ron Vanderlinden changed the offensive scheme to the option, Mastrole, a drop-back passer,Football Gets Much Needed Week Off , University of Maryland, October 19, 1998. decided to transfer. For his senior season in 1999, he transferred to the University of Rhode Island, which employed a three-receiver offense.Football Heads to New Hampshire , University of Rhode Island, September 5, 2000.Rams Seniors Await Final Buzzer , University of Rhode Island, 1999, retrieved May 7, 2009. There, he completed 202 passes on 374 attempts for 2,113 yards, ten interceptions, and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for a net gain of 90 yards.1999 Cumulative Season Statistics , University of Rhode Island, 1999. Rhode Island compiled a 1–10 record that season.Tim Stowers named new football coach , University of Rhode Island, April 2000.
Professional career
Florida Bobcats Mastrole signed with the Florida Bobcats on February 9, 2001. He was waived by the Bobcats on April 10, 2001.
Florida Firecats Mastrole then signed with the Florida Firecats of the af2 in April 2001 and played for the team during the 2001 season. In November 2001, he auditioned for the Carolina Panthers, who needed a quarterback after injuries to Chris Weinke and Dameyune Craig.Panthers desperate for QB, CBC Sports, November 5, 2001.
Chicago Bears
Amsterdam Admirals Mastrole was allocated by the Chicago Bears to the Amsterdam Admirals in the NFL Europe. He was cut on March 31, 2002.
Scottish Claymores On May 3, Mastrole was signed by the Scottish Claymores as a reserve behind starter Scott Dreisbach and backup James Brown.
Amsterdam Admirals (second stint) On May 16, Mastrole was activated from the Amsterdam practice squad to serve as the second-string quarterback, and saw action against Barcelona.2002 NFLE transactions.NFL Europe Allocated Players Update . With Amsterdam, Mastrole completed 12 of 28 passes for 147 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown.Ken Mastrole Career Statistics, Football Database, retrieved May 7, 2009. In 2002, he competed for the Bears third-string quarterback position. In the preseason game against St. Louis Rams, Mastrole led an 81-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown.Ken Mastrole earns kudos in Bears' win, The Chicago Tribune, August 17, 2002.Chicago vs. St Louis, USA Today, August 16, 2002. He lost out to Henry Burris.Burris No. 3 QB; Mastrole is gone , Chicago Tribune, September 1, 2002.
Chicago Rush Mastrole signed with the Chicago Rush on December 3, 2002. He was waived by the Rush on January 24, 2003.
Detroit Fury Mastrole later signed with the Detroit Fury. He was waived from the Fury's practice squad on May 5, 2003.
Florida Firecats (second stint) Mastrole then returned to the Firecats in May 2003, throwing for 2,284 yards and 55 touchdowns in 11 games.Florida Firecats game notes, Out Sports Central, April 27, 2004. Mastrole said "I could have stayed in Detroit, but I left on my own terms" and that "I figured I'd take a pay cut and go play."
Detroit Fury (second stint) Mastrole signed with the Fury in November 2003.
Dallas Desperadoes In January 2004, Mastrole was traded to the Dallas Desperadoes for future considerations.
Florida Firecats (third stint) Mastrole served as a back-up for the Desperadoes before requesting his release to return to the Firecats.Firecats vets relish last game together , Naples Daily News, August 25, 2004. During the 2004 season, he recorded 59 completions on 94 attempts for 733 yards, four interceptions, and 15 touchdowns. He led Florida to the ArenaCup, where they defeated the Peoria Pirates, 39–26.Firecats re-sign QB Mastrole , Naples Daily News, March 17, 2004.2004 ArenaCup game preview, Our Sports Central, August 26, 2004.
Coaching career In 2005, Mastrole became the Florida Firecats offensive coordinator and served in that role through the 2008 season.Firecats invite back coaches Mastrole, Hall , Naples Daily News, September 24, 2005.Midgett waiting for his chance, The Sun Herald, May 30, 2006.Firecats show their depth at wide receiver in second scrimmage , Naples Daily News, March 12, 2009. Over those four years, he directed the league's number-one scoring offense, the number-one rated quarterback, and three 1,000-yard wide receivers.
Personal life He lives in Florida with his wife, Kim, and stepson, Dylan. Mastrole now runs his own football training camp in Florida, the Mastrole Passing Academy.About us , Mastrole Passing, retrieved May 7, 2009.
References
External links Beem gives hope to those who dream, Daily Herald, August 20, 2002. , The Washington Post, p. C05, August 9, 1995. 'Flipping, Flopping' QBs Lead Terrapins, The Washington Post, p. D01, September 27, 1998. QB aiming for memorable senior season, The Miami Herald, August 28, 1994.
3rd string QB duel bears watching , Chicago Tribune, August 27, 2002.