Kurt Kittner

Infobox NFLretired
name=Kurt Kittner


width=
caption=
position=Quarterback
number=15
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|1|23
Schaumburg, Illinois
debutyear=2002
finalyear=2005
draftyear=2002
draftround=5
draftpick=151
College=Illinois
teams=
* Atlanta Falcons (2002-2004)
* Cincinnati Bengals (2004) *
* New York Giants (2004) *
* New England Patriots (2004) *
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2004) *
* Chicago Bears (2005) *
* Amsterdam Admirals (2005):*Inactive and/or practice squad member only
stat1label=TD-INT
stat1value=2-6
stat2label=Passing Yards
stat2value=391
stat3label=QB Rating
stat3value=32.5
nfl=KIT401790
highlights=
* World Bowl XIII MVP (2005)

Kurt Kittner (born January 23, 1980 in Schaumburg, Illinois) is a former 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.

Biography

College career

Becoming a starter near the end of his freshman year at Illinois under head 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.

Pro career

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, being third-string quarterback behind Doug Johnson and 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.

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.

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 on November 23, 2005, Kittner was released without playing a regular season down for the Bears.

Life after football

Kittner currently resides in Chicago with his fiancée 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.

References

*cite web
author=Associated Press
year=2005
url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2083026
title=Kittner guides Admirals to first World Bowl title
format=
work=
publisher=ESPN.com
accessdate=December 29
accessyear=2005
*cite web
author=
year=
url=http://fightingillini.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/FBPassingRecords.html
title=Illinois Career Passing Leaders
format=
work=
publisher=Fighting Illini Official Site
accessdate=January 5
accessyear=2006
*cite web
author=Kiper Jr., Mel
year=2001
url=http://espn.go.com/melkiper/s/2001/0815/1239814.html
title=Top 15 Heisman candidates
format=
work=
publisher=ESPN.com
accessdate=December 29
accessyear=2005
*cite web
author=Pasquarelli, Len
year=2004
url=http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1874187
title=Kittner cut for fifth time in seven months
format=
work=
publisher=ESPN.com
accessdate=December 29
accessyear=2005

External links

*espn nfl|id=6044|name=Kurt Kittner