Two Tommie FB alums gets honors

February 24, 2003
The Minnesota Maulers of the semi-pro Mid-America Football League announced that former St. Thomas football standouts Chris Esterley and Sterling Adams have received All-America honors for the 2002 season.

Esterley was named the American Football Association Offensive Player of the Year for 2002 -- one of five national individual awards out of nearly 500 eligible teams.

Esterley led the Maulers to a 12-2 finish and a national runner-up placing. In three national playoff games, Esterley threw for more than 300 yards in each game. Overall in 2002, Esterley completed 60% of his passes, and threw 45 touchdown passes. Esterley was also named as the Mid-America Football League Co-Player of the Year, and the Midwest Tournament MVP. In addition to playing six seasons with the Maulers, Esterley also played three seasons with the Stockholm Mean Machines in Stockholm, Sweden.

"Chris had a great season and did some amazing things again for our team," said Maulers head coach Bill Hunstock.

A second St. Thomas graduate, Strong Safety Sterling Adams, was also named to the Midwest Tournament All Tournament team for the third year. Adams was also honored by the American Football Association as an All American for the second consecutive year. "Sterling has been a mainstay on our defense for six seasons," Hunstock said. "Not only is he a hard hitter, but also as a captain and team leader."