Helsinki Wolverines sign QB Ryan Sample for 2021 season

AFI | American Football | 11/09/2020

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The Helsinki Wolverines, 2020 Finnish finalists, have signed quarterback Ryan Sample for the 2021 season.

The Wolverines finished third during the 2020 season and won their semifinal game to reach the Maple Bowl. However, they were defeated by the Kuopio Steelers in the final 21-0.

Sample was originally signed by the Prague Black Panthers for the 2020 season but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Panthers opted not to play this year.

The 6′, 210 pound, 25 year old Sample, a native of Manteno, Illinois, spent the 2019 season with the Elmshorn Fighting Pirates in the German Football League second division, GFL2, helping the team advance to the GFL in 2020. With the Pirates, he threw for 2,879 and 36 touchdowns while also rushing for 269 yards and another three scores. He was a three-year starter at Benedictine University (NCAA Div. III) where he threw for 9.996 yards while rushing for 776 yards, accounting for 99 touchdowns. He was the starting quarterback for Olivet Nazarene University (NAIA) in 2013 throwing for 1,190 yards in 11 starts for the Tigers.