Todd Layne Hammel (born December 7, 1966) is a former professional arena football player who played for 10 teams since his Arena Football League (AFL) career began in 1992. He is the great-grandson of Oklahoma Indian Chief Quana Parker and a member of the Comanche tribe. He is a distant relative of QB Sam Bradford.
Early life
Hammel attended Durant High School in Durant, Oklahoma, and was a four sport letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and track. As a junior, he helped lead his football team to the 1983–84 Class 3–A State Championship. He also helped lead the Lions in basketball to a District Championship. Hammel graduated from Durant High School in 1985.
College career
Hammel played college football for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. As a senior, he helped lead his team to a 9–1–1 regular season record, the No. 3 ranking in final Division I-AA poll, and a berth in the 1989 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game. Hammel was named a first team All-Conference pick and the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He finished his college career with 8,631 passing yards and 65 touchdowns. He left Stephen F. Austin as the school's all-time leader in passing attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and total yardage.[1]
In 1992, Hammel played for the Dallas Texans of the Arena Football League (AFL). In his first season with the Texans, Hammel threw for 28 touchdowns on 157 of 308 attempts for 1,799 yards. Hammel led the Texans to a playoff victory over the Albany Firebirds where he threw four touchdown passes.[7] In 1993, Hammel returned and threw for 39 touchdowns and 2,287 yards.
Fort Worth Cavalry
In 1994, Hammel signed with the expansion franchise Fort Worth Cavalry of the (AFL). General Manager and head coach Michael Trigg was Hammel's offensive coordinator the two years he spent in Dallas. Hammel split playing time with fellow quarterback Kyle Mackey. On the season, Hammel tossed 28 touchdowns while passing for 1,745 yards.
Milwaukee Mustangs
In 1995, Hammel signed with the Milwaukee Mustangs of the (AFL). Hammel followed Trigg's to Milwaukee where he played for the Mustangs for five seasons. In 1998, he threw for a career high 60 touchdowns and 3,100 yards. In 1999, he became the first player in Arena Football League history to pass for 18,000 yards, 300 touchdowns and 1,500 completions.[8]
Florida Bobcats
In 2000, Hammel signed with the Florida Bobcats of the (AFL). He appeared in three games for the Bobcats.[9]
Houston Thunderbears
In 2001, Hammel signed with the Houston Thunderbears of the (AFL), who were a traveling team for the season.[10]
Grand Rapids Rampage
In 2002, Hammel signed with the Grand Rapids Rampage midway through the season where he appeared in two games. In week 12 against the Chicago Rush, he relieved starting quarterback Clint Dolezel and led the Rampage to 20 straight points in a near come from behind victory.[11][12]
In 2005, Hammel signed with the Chicago Rush of the (AFL). In his first start of the season against the Nashville Cats he threw for 223 yards and five touchdowns in a 45–38 victory, filling in for injured starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw.[15] The following week, he won his next start throwing six touchdowns on 21 of 25 completions against the Grand Rapids Rampage.[16]
On May 28, 2009, Hammel signed with the Milwaukee Iron of the AF2.[18] At 42 years of age, Hammel returned to professional football after not playing the previous two seasons. He was the oldest player in the league.[19] In the season finale, Hammel completed 24 of 35 passes for 317 yards and seven touchdowns against the Albany Firebirds.[20]
Jacksonville Sharks
In July of 2010, Hammel signed with the Jacksonville Sharks of the (AFL). Following an injury to Sharks' starting quarterback Aaron Garcia, Hammell was signed to backup Bernard Morris. He never appeared in a game for the Sharks.[21]
Chicago Rush (second stint)
On August 7, 2010, Hammel signed with the Chicago Rush of the (AFL). Hammel was signed as a backup quarterback for the playoffs. The Rush had been without a backup since starting quarterback Russ Michna went down with an injury. For the playoffs, he did not appear in a game while backing up J. J. Raterink.[22]
Utah Blaze
On July 7, 2011, Hammel signed with the Utah Blaze of the (AFL). The Blaze would be Hammel's 13th and final indoor football team. Hammel started and played the final three games of the season. In game 17 against the New Orleans Voodoo, Hammel found wide receiver Chris Bocage on a game winning touchdown pass in the final seconds.[23] In the season finale against the Cleveland Gladiators, he threw seven touchdowns while completing 31-of-44 passes for 355 yards in a 76–69 victory.[24]
