Brooks Bollinger
Encyclopedia
Brooks Bollinger is a retired American football
quarterback
. He was drafted by the New York Jets
in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at the University of Wisconsin.
Bollinger has also been a member of the Minnesota Vikings
, New York Jets
, Dallas Cowboys
, and Detroit Lions
.
Bollinger announced his intention to retire from professional football in 2011.
Bollinger is currently a high school football head coach at Hill Murray High School, in Minnesota.
in Grand Forks, North Dakota
. He played in every game while attending the school and passed for 40 touchdowns and ran for 19 more.
He was also drafted twice by the Los Angeles Dodgers
baseball team, both times in the 50th round.
. In 2000, Bollinger, a redshirt
freshman starter, assisted the Badgers in their second straight Rose Bowl
victory along with teammate and Heisman Trophy
winner Ron Dayne
. The following year, Bollinger played in the Sun Bowl
and defeated the UCLA Bruins
. In one of the University of Wisconsin school papers, The Badger Herald, a full front page article praised the quarterback as a "Triple Threat." The accompanying three pictures of Bollinger showed him scrambling, handing off, and scrambling once again. During his third year, the Badgers could not match the success of the two previous seasons as they posted a 5-7 overall record and did not earn a bowl game berth. Bollinger ended his collegiate career with an overtime victory over the Colorado Buffaloes
in the Alamo Bowl
. Bollinger finished with a 30-12 record as a starter at UW, a 3-0 bowl game record, and the school's rushing record for quarterbacks with 1,767 yards and 26 touchdowns.
and Chad Pennington
led the team as quarterbacks. His idle NFL career ended in 2004, when he replaced an injured Quincy Carter
to take his first snap in an NFL game against Arizona
. Bollinger completed 5 of 9 passes for 60 yards.
Bollinger did not play again until 2005, when first and second-string quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler
were both injured in a game against Jacksonville
. This unfortunate series of events kickstarted Bollinger's career as the quarterback for the Jets. After the incident, Jets head coach Herman Edwards
tried to bring experience at the QB position to the team by signing veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde
. The 41-year-old Testaverde failed to perform up to expectations and was benched for Bollinger.
in 2006 for defensive tackle C. J. Mosley
and a draft pick where he was reunited with new head coach Brad Childress
, his offensive coordinator in college. After a game against the Chicago Bears
in which Vikings starting quarterback Brad Johnson
threw 4 interceptions, Bollinger came in and replaced him. He threw for 70 yards (with seven completions on nine attempts), before he was injured and replaced by rookie Tarvaris Jackson
. The injury kept him sidelined through most of his 2006 season.
After some shaky preseason and early season relief efforts in 2007, Bollinger was listed as the 3rd string quarterback on the Minnesota Vikings depth chart. While keeping a positive focus for his team, in early November 2007 Bollinger was ready once again to play his part in the role of the starting quarterback position for an NFL team after yet another series of unfortunate incidents of injuries and failed performances by 1st and 2nd string quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and veteran Kelly Holcomb
. Bollinger was able to start for the Vikings in week 10 against the Packers, but after a terrible performance by the Vikings in a 0-34 loss, Bollinger was listed as the 2nd string quarterback for week 11 with Jackson taking back the starting position.
In 2008, the Minnesota Vikings
drafted USC
quarterback John David Booty
in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft
. This meant that Bollinger would be fighting for a third string spot with Booty behind Tarvaris Jackson
and veteran Gus Frerotte
. After a disappointing preseason, Bollinger lost the third-string spot and was released by the Vikings on August 30, 2008.
after the team waived wide receiver
Mike Jefferson
. Bollinger was listed as the third string QB, backing up starter Tony Romo
and his backup Brad Johnson
. During week 6 of the season, Romo injured a finger on his throwing hand, leaving him out for a few games. After some failed performances by the veteran Brad Johnson, Bollinger made his first appearance for the Cowboys in the second half of the week 9 game against the New York Giants
. Bollinger had only been working with the Cowboys starting line for a week prior to the game. With heavy pressure by the Giants defensive line, his first pass play he threw an interception which contributed to one of the Giants touchdowns. As the Cowboys offensive line performed terribly, Bollinger was sacked a number of times in his next few drives. However, later that quarter and into the start of the 4th quarter, with the Giants letting up and after the removal of several starters, Bollinger subsequently managed to lead a 75 yard scoring drive against the Giant defense, which was ranked 1st in the league at the time. He threw his first NFL touchdown as a Cowboy, a soft 9-yard pass to Terrell Owens
. With Romo returning the next game and remaining healthy enough to play, Bollinger did not see any action until week 17 against the Eagles to replace a badly beat up Romo, throwing 1 pass for 8 yards to rookie tight end Martellus Bennett
, thus ending the 4th quarter and the season for the Cowboys. Bollinger was not re-signed by the Cowboys after the 2008 NFL season.
on September 1, 2009, but was cut September 5, 2009 after the final preseason game.
, he led the Tuskers to the championship game
with a perfect 6–0 regular season record. Bollinger was the league leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and completed passes. Though the Tuskers lost the championship, Bollinger was named season MVP
through an online and text message vote by fans. Bollinger had a tough start in the 2010 UFL season, going 2-2 in the first half of the season, and then receiving rib, neck and thumb injuries during the Week 6 game against the Sacramento Mountain Lions. Bollinger would not play for the rest of the season as backup QB Chris Greison took the Tuskers back to the UFL Championship, which they would later lose, once again to the Las Vegas Locomotives
. After the season, due to his injuries Bollinger decided to retire from professional football.
On February 1, 2011 Bollinger announced that he would take over as Head Coach for the Hill-Murray Pioneers
of St. Paul, Minnesota.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
. He was drafted by the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Wisconsin.
Bollinger has also been a member of the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, and Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
.
Bollinger announced his intention to retire from professional football in 2011.
Bollinger is currently a high school football head coach at Hill Murray High School, in Minnesota.
Early years
Bollinger played quarterback for Central High SchoolCentral High School (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
Central High School is a public senior high school in the Grand Forks Public Schools district. It is located near the University of North Dakota. It has a main focus on athletics and is regionally renowned in ice hockey, golf and tennis.-Location:...
in Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...
. He played in every game while attending the school and passed for 40 touchdowns and ran for 19 more.
He was also drafted twice by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
baseball team, both times in the 50th round.
College career
Bollinger was a four-year starting quarterback for the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. In 2000, Bollinger, a redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
freshman starter, assisted the Badgers in their second straight Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
victory along with teammate and Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Ron Dayne
Ron Dayne
Ron Dayne is a former American football running back who is currently a free agent. He holds the NCAA record for career rushing yards, and he won the 1999 Heisman Trophy.-Early life:...
. The following year, Bollinger played in the Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
and defeated the UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins are the sports teams for University of California, Los Angeles . The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Pacific-12 Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I...
. In one of the University of Wisconsin school papers, The Badger Herald, a full front page article praised the quarterback as a "Triple Threat." The accompanying three pictures of Bollinger showed him scrambling, handing off, and scrambling once again. During his third year, the Badgers could not match the success of the two previous seasons as they posted a 5-7 overall record and did not earn a bowl game berth. Bollinger ended his collegiate career with an overtime victory over the Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado Boulder sponsors 16 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's team are called the Buffaloes or Golden Buffaloes . "Lady Buffs" referred to the women's teams beginning in the 1970s, but was officially dropped in 1993...
in the Alamo Bowl
Alamo Bowl
The Alamo Bowl is a major American college football bowl game played annually since 1993 in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It matches the second choice team from the Pacific-12 Conference and the third choice team from the Big 12 Conference.Traditionally, the Alamo Bowl has been...
. Bollinger finished with a 30-12 record as a starter at UW, a 3-0 bowl game record, and the school's rushing record for quarterbacks with 1,767 yards and 26 touchdowns.
New York Jets
Bollinger started his Jets career in 2003. As the sixth round draft pick, Bollinger spent the entire year on the bench while Vinny TestaverdeVinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...
and Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
led the team as quarterbacks. His idle NFL career ended in 2004, when he replaced an injured Quincy Carter
Quincy Carter
Lavonya Quintelle "Quincy" Carter is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys...
to take his first snap in an NFL game against Arizona
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Bollinger completed 5 of 9 passes for 60 yards.
Bollinger did not play again until 2005, when first and second-string quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler
Jay Fiedler
Jay Brian Fiedler is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League.-Early life and high school years:Fiedler was born to a Jewish family on Long Island in Oceanside, New York...
were both injured in a game against Jacksonville
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. This unfortunate series of events kickstarted Bollinger's career as the quarterback for the Jets. After the incident, Jets head coach Herman Edwards
Herman Edwards
Herman "Herm" Edwards, Jr. is an American football analyst who most recently coached in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was fired from this position on January 23, 2009. Since then, he has been hired as a football analyst for ESPN...
tried to bring experience at the QB position to the team by signing veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...
. The 41-year-old Testaverde failed to perform up to expectations and was benched for Bollinger.
Minnesota Vikings
Bollinger was traded to the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
in 2006 for defensive tackle C. J. Mosley
C. J. Mosley
Calvin Michael "C. J." Mosley, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
and a draft pick where he was reunited with new head coach Brad Childress
Brad Childress
Brad "Chilly" Childress is the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He attended high school at the Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois...
, his offensive coordinator in college. After a game against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in which Vikings starting quarterback Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
threw 4 interceptions, Bollinger came in and replaced him. He threw for 70 yards (with seven completions on nine attempts), before he was injured and replaced by rookie Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
. The injury kept him sidelined through most of his 2006 season.
After some shaky preseason and early season relief efforts in 2007, Bollinger was listed as the 3rd string quarterback on the Minnesota Vikings depth chart. While keeping a positive focus for his team, in early November 2007 Bollinger was ready once again to play his part in the role of the starting quarterback position for an NFL team after yet another series of unfortunate incidents of injuries and failed performances by 1st and 2nd string quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and veteran Kelly Holcomb
Kelly Holcomb
Bryan Kelly Holcomb is a former American football quarterback of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1995...
. Bollinger was able to start for the Vikings in week 10 against the Packers, but after a terrible performance by the Vikings in a 0-34 loss, Bollinger was listed as the 2nd string quarterback for week 11 with Jackson taking back the starting position.
In 2008, the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
drafted USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
quarterback John David Booty
John David Booty
John David Booty is an American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He last played for the Houston Texans until being cut on September 4, 2010. He played college football at USC.Booty has also been a member of the Tennessee Titans...
in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. This meant that Bollinger would be fighting for a third string spot with Booty behind Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and veteran Gus Frerotte
Gus Frerotte
Gustave Joseph "Gus" Frerotte is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tulsa....
. After a disappointing preseason, Bollinger lost the third-string spot and was released by the Vikings on August 30, 2008.
Dallas Cowboys
On September 8, 2008, Bollinger was signed by the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
after the team waived wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Mike Jefferson
Mike Jefferson (American football)
Michael Jefferson is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Montana State....
. Bollinger was listed as the third string QB, backing up starter Tony Romo
Tony Romo
Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...
and his backup Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
. During week 6 of the season, Romo injured a finger on his throwing hand, leaving him out for a few games. After some failed performances by the veteran Brad Johnson, Bollinger made his first appearance for the Cowboys in the second half of the week 9 game against the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Bollinger had only been working with the Cowboys starting line for a week prior to the game. With heavy pressure by the Giants defensive line, his first pass play he threw an interception which contributed to one of the Giants touchdowns. As the Cowboys offensive line performed terribly, Bollinger was sacked a number of times in his next few drives. However, later that quarter and into the start of the 4th quarter, with the Giants letting up and after the removal of several starters, Bollinger subsequently managed to lead a 75 yard scoring drive against the Giant defense, which was ranked 1st in the league at the time. He threw his first NFL touchdown as a Cowboy, a soft 9-yard pass to Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
. With Romo returning the next game and remaining healthy enough to play, Bollinger did not see any action until week 17 against the Eagles to replace a badly beat up Romo, throwing 1 pass for 8 yards to rookie tight end Martellus Bennett
Martellus Bennett
Martellus Demond Bennett is an American football tight end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Texas A&M.-Early years:...
, thus ending the 4th quarter and the season for the Cowboys. Bollinger was not re-signed by the Cowboys after the 2008 NFL season.
Detroit Lions
Bollinger signed a pre-season contract with the Detroit LionsDetroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
on September 1, 2009, but was cut September 5, 2009 after the final preseason game.
Florida Tuskers
Bollinger was drafted by the Florida Tuskers in the UFL's Inaugural draft. The Tuskers retained his UFL rights as he worked in the Detroit Lions training camp. He was signed by the Tuskers on September 22, 2009. In the 2009 season2009 UFL season
The 2009 United Football League season -- referred to by the professional American football league as the UFL Premiere Season -- was the inaugural season of the United Football League...
, he led the Tuskers to the championship game
2009 UFL Championship Game
The 2009 UFL Championship Game was the concluding game of the United Football League's Premiere Season. The game was staged at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Friday, November 27, 2009 , and was won by the Las Vegas Locomotives, who defeated the previously unbeaten Florida Tuskers 20–17 on a...
with a perfect 6–0 regular season record. Bollinger was the league leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and completed passes. Though the Tuskers lost the championship, Bollinger was named season MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
through an online and text message vote by fans. Bollinger had a tough start in the 2010 UFL season, going 2-2 in the first half of the season, and then receiving rib, neck and thumb injuries during the Week 6 game against the Sacramento Mountain Lions. Bollinger would not play for the rest of the season as backup QB Chris Greison took the Tuskers back to the UFL Championship, which they would later lose, once again to the Las Vegas Locomotives
Las Vegas Locomotives
The Las Vegas Locomotives are a professional American football team based in Las Vegas, Nevada who play in the United Football League. The team plays its home games in Sam Boyd Stadium, home field for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Jim Fassel is the franchise's head coach, president, and...
. After the season, due to his injuries Bollinger decided to retire from professional football.
On February 1, 2011 Bollinger announced that he would take over as Head Coach for the Hill-Murray Pioneers
Hill-Murray School
Hill-Murray School is a coeducational private Catholic school serving grades 7-12. It is located on a site in Maplewood, Minnesota, a suburb of Saint Paul. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, it was established in 1971 through the consolidation of Archbishop...
of St. Paul, Minnesota.