By Hunter Saylor–

Football is a sacred sport in America. People love football because anyone can watch football and usually know what’s going on. Whether a fan of college football or the NFL, Americans are bonded together every weekend by the pigskin. The best part about this sport is the fact that some of our favorite college players go pro and we’re able to follow their pro careers, hoping for the best.

What’s so special about the University of Louisville is the rich football culture. There’s nothing like watching Teddy Bridgewater pick apart secondaries or seeing DeVante Parker scoring clutch touchdowns against Kentucky. On the other side of the ball, Dexter Heyman is one of the most exciting defensive players in the country. But what about past players? Elvis Dumervil, Michael Bush, Deion Branch, Brian Brohm and Harry Douglas, just to name a few, were some of the greatest players to ever walk onto the Cardinal field; apart from Johnny Unitas, of course. What happened to those players and how did their careers pan out?

Deion Branch was perhaps the greatest wide receiver to ever play at Louisville. He was prolific and exciting to watch. He was drafted in the sixth round by the New England Patriots and immediately became a valuable asset for Tom Brady. In 2005, he was the Super Bowl MVP. That’s right, the Super Bowl MVP. Kentucky has yet to produce one of those. He went on to play for the Seahawks before joining the Patriots again and enjoying a steady season. He was recently seen with Bill Belichick at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium when the Cardinals played against Rutgers.
Michael Bush was the best running back the University of Louisville has ever had. Had he not have broken his leg against UK and Kragthorpe been coaching, he would have undoubtedly led U of L to a national championship. The Oakland Raiders drafted him in the fourth round, but with his leg still hobbling him, he missed out on the whole 2007 season. He came back as a third string running back behind Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas. This season was a breakout season for Michael Bush. With McFadden out for a few weeks, Bush is showing flashes of the greatness he had at Louisville. He torched the Chargers for 157 yards and a touchdown on Nov. 10.

In college, Elvis Dumervil is probably more nationally known because Marcus Vick intentionally stomped on his calf during the Gator Bowl. To Louisville, he is known as a sack monster, recording a record six against, surprise, Kentucky. In the NFL he is a feared defensive end for the Denver Broncos. He earned the start this year and recorded three tackles and a sack against Kansas City on Nov. 13.

David Akers, place kicker for the San Fransisco 49ers, will go down in history as one of the greatest kickers in the history of the NFL. He is a five time Pro Bowler and set the record for the longest field goal ever made at Candlestick Park. While he originally went undrafted, Akers has become a success in the NFL, making the NFL 2000’s All-Decade team.

While these players have enjoyed success in the NFL, there have also been the ones who have yet to get a solid career going. Harry Douglas, who plays for the Atlanta Falcons, has been limited to a very small role position. Although he’s limited, he had 133 yards on eight catches and a touchdown in their most recent game against the Saints on Nov. 13. William Gay, a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, earned his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded an interception, three tackles and four deflected passes on Nov. 13.

Breno Giacomini, Amobi Okoye, Brandon Johnson, Johnny Patrick, Jason Spitz and Eric Wood are all underperforming in the NFL.

As for Brian Brohm, one of Louisville’s best quarterbacks of all-time, he is a backup quarterback for the UFL’s Las Vegas Locomotives.

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