Rhein Fire 2001 saw a huge Derby against Galaxy with 51.000 fans in the house and a close win, which was secured by giant interceptions from Corey Harris and Deke Cooper.
"Crate man" Michael Lewis had become a rising star of the NFL season 2002 and week 1 brought a great start for Head Coach Pete Kuharchek against the Admirals, who were much stronger than in season 2000.
Other special players were tackle Kelly Gregg and Jason Brookins, who got both connected to the Baltimore Ravens.
Adams | Amaya | Arellanes | Blick | Brookins | Burgsmueller | Carmazzi | Carter | Cooper | Doghmi | Duncan | Early | Gardner | Greer | Gregg | Hardaway | Harris | Huggins | Lano | LeBlanc | Lewis | Mallard | Ojo | Pearson | Roscoe | Sands | Sasano | Stambaugh | Smith J. | Tokimoto | Tuthill | Williams | Word | Younger | Zimmerman
Gio Carmazzi was sent by the 49ers to become the 2001 quarterback.
Video interview, photos and story
Season 2001
Video
2001 Season Opening Party
Video
Countless sacks had made "Zim" the player of season 2001 and in fall 2002 Scott Zimmerman had managed to conquer second string on FB inside the Dallas Cowboys depth chart but got cut later on.
Interview
Video
"If I could change the World"
Video
Born on April 29, 1977
College: North Colorado
Height: 6-0
Weight: 235
Japanese wide receivers had been another specialty of Duesseldorf Rhein Fire 2001 with featuring Naoki Sasano and Akihito Amaya in addition to linebacker Masaki Tokimoto.
Dwight Carter was allocated by the San Francisco 49ers, where he couldn't catch a spot though he had played well on Fire with a 27 yards run against the Admirals in week 1 and 2 receptions for 19 yards against the Dragons in week 3.
Born on September 19 in 1977
Height: 5-9
Weight: 185
Defensive tackle Daniel Greer did come from the 49ers.
Interview
Video
Born on January 5 in 1976
College: University of Arizona
Height: 6-2
Weight: 285
James Roscoe came from Florida and he likes a physical game as pointed out in a first video interview on day 1 in Firetown.
Interview
Video
Born on March 26 in 1977
College: Clark Atlanta
Height: 6-3
Weight: 285
Japanese players had always been popular since Tamon Nakamura had paved the way. In fact Duesseldorf city accommodates the largest Japanese community outside of Japan with over 5.000 members.
Born on December 5 in 1974
College: Kinki University
Height: 5-10
Weight: 210
Mike Sands
Harvard Man had been the start for Mike Sands, who was sent into the Fire by the Steelers.
Born on December 16 in 1977
College: Harvard
Height: 6-4
Weight: 235
Eddie Hardaway had started great into the Fire with having contributed the very first TD of the season and 2 receptions for 33 yards against the Admirals in week 1.
Born on July 10, 1977
College: C.W. Post
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195
Julian Duncan had been one of the top guns in week 1 against the Admirals with 3 tackles, 1 sack and 9 yards.
Interview
Video
Born on November 31, 1976
College: Pittsburgh
Height: 6-2
Weight: 224
Kansas City Chiefs' John Blick had been under evaluation at the Buccaneers and the Jaguars, but he couldn't create much of an impact.
Born on February 2, 1978 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
College: Penn State
Height: 6-6
Weight: 314