The 1997 Rhein Fire season was the third season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team was led by head coach Galen Hall in his third year, and played its home games at Rheinstadion in Düsseldorf, Germany. They finished the regular season in first place with a record of seven wins and three losses, marking the first winning season in franchise history. In World Bowl '97, Rhein lost to the Barcelona Dragons 38–24. Quarterback T. J. Rubley earned all-World League honors and was named the league's offensive most valuable player.
Offseason World League draft + 1997 Rhein Fire World League draft selections Draft order Player name Position College Round Choice 1 1 Israel Stanley DE Arizona State 2 7 Artis Houston CB California 3 18 Thomas Bailey WR Auburn 4 19 Scotty Lewis DE Baylor 5 30 David Merritt LB North Carolina State 6 31 John Anderson S Oklahoma 7 42 David Rhodes WR Central Florida 8 43 Pete Shufelt LB UTEP 9 54 Anthony Daigle RB Fresno State 10 55 Sean Foster WR Long Beach State 11 66 Chris Shelling CB Auburn 12 67 Ricky Powers RB Michigan 13 78 Kelly Wiltshire CB James Madison 14 79 Earl Mackey LB Southern 15 90 Mark Brook LB Wyoming 16 91 Don Robinson CB Kentucky 17 102 Will Brown LB Alabama 18 103 Kyle Richardson P Arkansas State 19 114 Chris Thomas WR Cal Poly 20 115 Jay Barry RB Washington
Personnel Staff
Roster
Schedule Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game site Attendance Final score Team record 1 Saturday, April 12 7:00 p.m. Barcelona Dragons L 12–27 0–1 Rheinstadion 17,150 2 Sunday, April 20 3:00 p.m. London Monarchs W 28–6 1–1 Rheinstadion 14,876 3 Sunday, April 27 3:00 p.m. at Scottish Claymores W 23–10 2–1 Murrayfield Stadium 11,166 4 Saturday, May 3 7:00 p.m. at Amsterdam Admirals L 20–23 2–2 Amsterdam ArenA 10,698 5 Saturday, May 10 7:00 p.m. Frankfurt Galaxy W 10–7 3–2 Rheinstadion 32,140 6 Saturday, May 17 7:00 p.m. at Frankfurt Galaxy W 21–20 4–2 Waldstadion 39,182 7 Sunday, May 25 3:00 p.m. Scottish Claymores L 20–23 4–3 Rheinstadion 20,498 8 Saturday, May 31 7:30 p.m. at Barcelona Dragons W 38–23 5–3 Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc 13,670 9 Saturday, June 7 7:00 p.m. Amsterdam Admirals W 24–0 6–3 Rheinstadion 23,697 10 Sunday, June 15 3:00 p.m. at London Monarchs W 10–7 7–3 Stamford Bridge 10,462 World Bowl '97 11 Sunday, June 22 7:00 p.m. Barcelona Dragons L 24–38 7–4 Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc 31,100
Standings
Game summaries Week 1: vs Barcelona Dragons
Week 2: vs London Monarchs
Week 3: at Scottish Claymores
Week 4: at Amsterdam Admirals
Week 5: vs Frankfurt Galaxy
Week 6: at Frankfurt Galaxy
Week 7: vs Scottish Claymores
Week 8: at Barcelona Dragons
Week 9: vs Amsterdam Admirals
Week 10: at London Monarchs
World Bowl '97
Awards After the completion of the regular season, the All-World League team was selected by members of the media. Overall, Rhein had six players selected. The selections were:
T. J. Rubley, quarterback Bill Schroeder, wide receiver Ethan Brooks, offensive tackle Mike Sheldon, guard Bob Kronenberg, center Spencer Folau, offensive tackle
Additionally, Rubley was selected offensive MVP by the six World League head coaches. Galen Hall earned Coach of the Year honors.
Notes
References