The Pros
THERE will be four Dartmouth alumni playing in the National Football League this year. Dave Shula and Jeff Kemp are the newest arrivals in the professional circuit. They will join former Big Green stars Reggie Williams '76, an outside linebacker with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Nick Lowery '7B, the Kansas City Chiefs' placekicker. Kemp will be the third quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, and Shula will be a wide receiver, punt returner, and member of the special teams for the Baltimore Colts. It's a continuation of family tradition for Kemp and Shula.
Kemp is the son of Congressman Jack Kemp, a strong-armed quarterback first for the San Diego Chargers and later at Buffalo, where he guided the Bills to American Football League championships in 1964 and 1965. Shula is the son of Don Shula, head coach of the Miami Dolphins and a former Baltimore Colts' defensive back. Neither Dartmouth player was drafted but made the N.F.L. via the free agent route.
"The Rams contacted me after the draft," Jeff Kemp said. "They were the only team that called, although San Diego had shown some interest in me earlier." Kemp discussed his options with Yukica and decided Los Angeles was the right place. His pro prospects were boosted by the Rams' shortage of quarterbacks, and he was elated when he survived the final round of cuts. "I've done well here, but there's lots of room for improvement," Kemp said. "This is my job now. I've got to watch and learn from what's going on around me. Everything has really turned out great. I was super lucky to get the chance. I have the feeling if I keep working at it, eventually something more will open up."
Shula and Kemp have received more than passing attention from press and fans because of their fathers. Both players say the family name can be a help at times but also a burden. "Being Don Shula's son means I get more attention than some other rookies," acknowledged Shula. "It can really hurt you if you're getting all the attention even if you're not doing anything." Dick Bielski, the Colt receiver coach, conceded that he hadn't heard much about Shula when he was playing for Dartmouth. "He's a delight to coach. He never stops running, he's very eager," said Bielski.
Before the final cut, Shula said he was confident of making the team. "But as a rookie you don't know how you stand in the coach's eyes. You just hope you do something good to catch his attention," Shula said. "I think I've got his attention now. I've just got to cut down on the number of mistakes I make." Shula wasted no time in catching attention. He did it during an early scrimmage against the Redskins, where his sure hands and ability to return punts convinced the coach to give him some playing time during preseason games.
Yukica is pleased with the success of his former players. "They're both very hardworking guys who deserve what has happened to them," he said. "Dave, for example, is probably the slowest guy in the N.F.L. at his position, but he has just incredible work habits. Both are fortunate to go to clubs that needed people at their positions. Jeff is a strong and intelligent kid and a hard worker who has an opportunity to stay and learn. As a freshman, he didn't win the starting quarterback job, and he was injured as a sophomore. Then he fractured his jaw as a junior. Continued growth is a factor. The future is in front of him, and I think he's got a good chance. The same goes for Dave."
