The Rhein Fire were a professional football team in the

NFL Europe NFL Europe League (simply called NFL Europe and known in its final season as NFL Europa) was a professional American football league that functioned as the List of developmental and minor sports leagues, developmental minor league of the Nati ...

, formerly the World League of American Football. Established in

Düsseldorf Düsseldorf is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state of Germany. It is the second-largest city in the state after Cologne and the List of cities in Germany with more than 100,000 inhabitants, seventh-largest city ...

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

in 1995, the franchise resurrected the name of the former

Birmingham Fire The Birmingham Fire were a professional American football team based in Birmingham, Alabama. They were a member of the North American West division of the World League of American Football (WLAF) and played their home games at Legion Field. The c ...

team which was active during the 1991–1992 WLAF seasons.

History

The team was based in Düsseldorf (and early on the team was occasionally referred to in the U.S. as the Düsseldorf Fire), playing at the

Rheinstadion The Rheinstadion () was a multi-purpose stadium, in Düsseldorf, Germany. The stadium was built, near the Rhine, in 1926 and held 54,000 people at the end of its life. It was the home ground for Fortuna Düsseldorf from 1953 to 1970 and 1972– ...

until 2002. After the demolition of the Rheinstadion, the team moved to nearby

Gelsenkirchen Gelsenkirchen (, , ; ) is the List of cities in Germany by population, 25th-most populous city of Germany and the 11th-most populous in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia with 262,528 (2016) inhabitants. On the Emscher, Emscher River (a tribu ...

and played at

Arena AufSchalke Arena AufSchalke (), currently known as Veltins-Arena () for sponsorship reasons, is a retractable roof and pitch, association football, football stadium in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It opened on 13 August 2001, as the ne ...

for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The team returned to Düsseldorf for the 2005 season, playing at the newly constructed LTU Arena. The Fire would remain at the LTU Arena until NFL Europe's dissolution in 2007. The Fire hosted the

World Bowl The World Bowl was the annual American football championship game of the World League of American Football, later called NFL Europe. The World Bowl was played each year from 1991 to 2007 (except 1993 and 1994). The first World Bowl was played ...

a record five times: in

1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...

and

2002 The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...

at the Rheinstadion, in

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

at Arena AufSchalke, and in

2005 2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...

and

2006 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

at the LTU Arena. The Fire were one of NFL Europe's most successful teams in terms of fan support and on-field success. The team itself played for five World Bowl championships throughout its history, winning in

1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...

over the Frankfurt Galaxy and

2000 2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year. Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...

over the

Scottish Claymores The Scottish Claymores, were an American football team based in Scotland. The franchise played in the World League of American Football (later renamed NFL Europe) between 1995 and 2004, initially playing all home games at Murrayfield Stadium, ...

. They lost to the

Barcelona Dragons Two American football franchises have been referred to as the Barcelona Dragons: * Barcelona Dragons (NFL Europe) The Barcelona Dragons were an American football team that was a part of the World League of American Football and later in the res ...

1997 Events January * January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States. * January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis. * January 1 ...

, the

Berlin Thunder The Berlin Thunder were a professional American football team in NFL Europe. History The Thunder came into existence as an expansion team, after the London/England Monarchs franchise shut down operations, prior to the 1999 season. Home games f ...

, and the Galaxy in

2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...

Season-by-season

Coaching history

Head coaches

Assistant coaches

Antonio Anderson Antonio Andrew Anderson (born June 5, 1985) is an American former basketball player and the current head coach at Darrow School. He majored in interdisciplinary studies at the University of Memphis and played basketball for several years profe ...

(2006) *

Bart Andrus Bart Andrus (born March 30, 1958) is an American football coach and a former collegiate player who is the head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy of the European League of Football (ELF). He has served as head coach for the Amsterdam Admirals of the ...

(2000) * Mike Bender (2001) * Booker Brooks (2001) * Steve Carson (1996–1997) *

Wes Chandler Wesley Sandy Chandler (born August 22, 1956) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He was selected to t ...

(1995–1997) * Joe Clark (2001) * Ken Clarke (2004–2005) * Stan Davis (2007) * A. J. Duhe (1995) *

Don Eck Donald Eck (born November 30, 1961) is a former American football coach. Until November 2021, he was the offensive coordinator at Clearfield High School in Clearfield, Utah, a position he held since the summer of 2020. Eck previously spent 28 yea ...

(2007) * Tom Everest (2002) * Barry Foster (2003) * Sascha Gehloff (2005–2007) * Brian Webb (2006) *

Alvin Harper Alvin Craig Harper (born July 6, 1967) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints. He ...

(2005) * James Harrell (2004) *

Bernardo Harris Bernardo Harris (born October 15, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League. He attended Chapel Hill High School, graduating in 1990. He was recruited by Mack Brown to play col ...

(2007) * Mike Jones (1998–2000, 2002–2003) * Whitey Jordan (1998–2000, 2002–2004) * E. J. Junior (2005) *

Ken Karcher Kenneth Paul Karcher (born July 1, 1963) is an American high school football coach and former quarterback. He is the offensive coordinator for Albertville High School, a position he has held since 2023. He was the head football coach for Libert ...

(1997–1999) *

Pete Kuharchek Peter C. Kuharchek (born November 12, 1947 - died March 31, 2023) was an American football coach and former player, whose coaching career spanned over 40 years at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He was the head coach for the ...

(1996–2000) * Bob Lancaster (2006) * Pete Levine (1996) *

Steve Logan Steve Deontay Logan (born March 20, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Cincinnati Bearcats. He became a star point guard in his collegiate career, and was named a first team All-Ameri ...

(2006) * Bob Lord (1997) * Duval Love (2006) * Jörn Maier (2001–2004) *

Vince Marrow Vincent Charles Marrow (born August 17, 1968) is an American football executive, former coach, and former professional tight end. He is the Executive of Player Personnel and Development for the University of Louisville, a position he has held si ...

(2007) *

Guy McIntyre Guy Maurice McIntyre (born February 17, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the San Francisco 49 ...

(2002) *

Scott Milanovich Scott Stewart Milanovich (born January 25, 1973) is an American professional football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was also the head coach of the Toront ...

(2003–2005) * Larry New (2007) * Jeff Ogden (2004) * Kevin O'Neal (2004–2005) * Ed O'Neil (2001–2003) * Nate Poole (2007) * Jan Quarless (2005) * Jeff Reinebold (1995, 1999–2000) * Walter Rohlfing (1995–2000) * Steve Smith (2006) *

Don Strock Donald Joseph Strock (born November 27, 1950) is an American former professional football player and coach. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) with the Miami Dolphins (1973–1987), Cleveland Browns (1988), and Ind ...

(1995) *

Gary Tranquill Gary Tranquill (born April 13, 1940) is a retired American football coach and former player. He was last the offensive coordinator at Boston College, a position he held until 2010. From 1982 to 1986, Tranquill served as the head football coach ...

(2007) * Dean Unruh (1995–1996) * Adrian White (2001–2006)

Notable players

* Richard Adjei (2004–2007) *

Ingo Anderbrügge Ingo Anderbrügge (; born 2 January 1964) is a German former professional footballer who played mostly as an attacking midfielder. Football career Anderbrügge was born in Datteln. He started playing professionally with Borussia Dortmund, making ...

(2003–2004), former

Schalke 04 Fußballclub Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e. V., commonly known as Schalke 04 (), and abbreviated as S04 (), is a professional sports club from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is best known for its football team, w ...

soccer player, kicker during Fire's years in Gelsenkirchen * Cedric Bonner (2006–2007) *

Manfred Burgsmüller Manfred "Manni" Burgsmüller (22 December 1949 – 18 May 2019) was a German professional footballer who played mainly as a striker; he also occasionally operated as a midfielder. He appeared in 447 Bundesliga games over the course of 17 sea ...

(1996–2002), kicker and oldest professional American football player at age 52 *

Byron Chamberlain Byron Daniel Chamberlain (born October 17, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wayne State Wildcats. He was selected in the seven ...

(1996) * Derrick Clark (1996–1999) * Mike Croel (1998) *

Terry Crews Terry Alan Crews (born July 30, 1968) is an American actor, television host, and former professional American football, football player. He played Julius Rock in the UPN/The CW Television Network, CW sitcom ''Everybody Hates Chris'', which air ...

(1995) * Nick Ferguson (1998) * Patrick Gerigk (1998) *

Steve Gleason Stephen Michael Gleason (born March 19, 1977) is an American former professional football player who played as a safety with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Couga ...

(2001) * James Harrison (2004) *

Drew Henson Drew Daniel Henson (born February 13, 1980) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) third baseman and National Football League (NFL) quarterback. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft. He playe ...

(2006) * Andy Kelly (1996) * Jeris McIntyre (2005) * Fred Jackson (2006) *

Michael Lewis Michael Monroe Lewis (born October 15, 1960) Gale Biography In Context. is an American author and financial journalist. He has also been a contributing editor to '' Vanity Fair'' since 2009, writing mostly on business, finance, and economics. ...

(2001) *

Mike Quinn Michael Patrick Quinn (born April 15, 1974) is an American former professional football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and Denve ...

(1998) * Marcus Robinson (1998) *

Jamal Robertson Jamal Robertson (born January 10, 1977) is a former American and Canadian football running back and kick returner. He played college football at Ohio Northern and played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football ...

(2002) * Bill Schroeder (1997) *

Gino Torretta Gino Louis Torretta (born August 10, 1970) is an American former football player who was a quarterback for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he won the Heisman Trophy ...

(1995) *

Tony Wragge Tony James Wragge (born August 14, 1979) is an American former football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the New Mexico State Aggies and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted f ...

(2006) *

Danny Wuerffel Daniel Carl Wuerffel (born May 27, 1974) is an American former American football, football quarterback who played college football for the Florida Gators football, Florida Gators and professional football in the National Football League (NFL). ...

(2000) * Tamon Nakamura (1998–1999) *

Akihito Amaya Akihito (born 23 December 1933) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan who reigned as the 125th emperor of Japan from 1989 until 2019 Japanese imperial transition, his abdication in 2019. The era of his rule was named the Heisei era, Hei ...

(2001–2002) *

John David Washington John David Washington (born July 28, 1984) is an American actor and former professional football player. He is the son of actor Denzel Washington. He started his career in college football at Morehouse College and signed with the St. Louis Rams ...

(2007) * Herbert Linecker (1997-2003)

Other notable personnel

* Alexander Leibkind – General Manager 1996–2004 *

– Assistant coach for the Fire, was previously an NFL replacement player and later became a collegiate head coach. *

Oliver Luck Oliver Francis Luck (born April 5, 1960) is an American business executive and former professional football player. He is currently the executive director of the United Athletic Conference, a new NCAA Division I FCS conference starting play in 2 ...

– General Manager 1995, became league president the following year.

References

{{Authority control NFL Europe (WLAF) teams Defunct American football teams in Germany Sport in Düsseldorf American football teams established in 1995 American football teams disestablished in 2007 1995 establishments in Germany 2007 disestablishments in Germany