GJC History
The NFL Global Junior Championship evolved from a single game first played to showcase the talents of young American football players from Europe and Mexico in 1997 to become the exciting multi-team tournament that was an integral part of the Super Bowl celebrations. In South Florida 2007 the GJC proudly celebrated its eleventh anniversary at Super Bowl XLI as teams from three continents converged on the famous Pontiac Silverdome.
The tournament has provided a platform on which future NFL, College Football and NFL Europe players have excelled. Among them are Panamanian offensive lineman Frank Davis, who started three games for the Detroit Lions in 2006 as an undrafted free agent following a successful career at the University of South Florida; German defensive end Constantin Ritzmann, who has spent time on the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons and started at Tennessee; English wide receiver Marvin Allen, who was on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad in 2006 and has played three successful seasons in NFL Europe.
Several Team USA quarterbacks have excelled within the college ranks, the most notable being Riley Skinner (Jacksonville 2005), who in 2006 led Wake Forest to the Orange Bowl and an 11-3 record as a freshman. Brian Johnson (Houston 2004 / Utah), Richard Kovalcheck (San Diego 2003 / Arizona and Vanderbilt), and Jay Davis (Tampa Bay 2001 / NC State) are all graduates of the GJC. More than 40 Canadians have also progressed to both college football and the CFL, including wide receiver WR Kevin Challenger (Boston College), OL David Bouchard (Syracuse), DB Etienne Boulay (UNH/Montreal Alouettes), and Jean-Philippe Abraham (Edmonton Eskimos).
Some of the biggest names in football have supported the event as either honorary chairmen or banquet speakers, including Nick Saban, Dan Reeves, Dwight Stephenson, Jake Delhomme, Mike Alstott, LeRoy Butler and John Madden.
Click here for a full list of results of previous tournaments.
| Year | Super Bowl City | Gold Medal | Silver/Bronze | Most Valuable Player |
| 1997 | New Orleans | Mexico | Europe | Constantin Ritzmann, DE, Europe |
| 1998 | San Diego | Mexico | Europe | Constantin Ritzmann, DE, Europe |
| 1999 | Miami | Europe | Mexico | Constantin Ritzmann, DE, Europe |
| 2000 | Atlanta | Canada | Europe / USA | Nick Wishart, RB, Canada |
| 2001 | Tampa Bay | USA | Canada / Japan | Jay Davis, QB, USA |
| 2002 | New Orleans | USA | Canada / Europe | Jason Spadoni, RB, USA |
| 2003 | San Diego | USA | Canada / Mexico | JC Cooper, LB, USA |
| 2004 | Houston | USA | Canada / Mexico | Brian Johnson, QB, USA |
| 2005 | Jacksonville | Canada | USA / Mexico | Jerome Messam, RB, Canada |
| 2006 | Detroit | Canada | USA / Japan | Samuel Fournier, RB, Canada |
| 2007 | South Florida | Canada | USA / Mexico | Anthony Woodson, RB, Canada |
The adventure began at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans in 1997 when a quick and well-disciplined team of college freshmen and high school seniors representing Mexico proved too strong for a young Europe team and triumphed 30-6. In San Diego in 1998 in front of 9,000 fans, a 50-yard Europe field goal attempt fell short and Mexico was again victorious by a 13-12 margin.
Team Europe won the championship at the third attempt at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale prior to Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999. Europe eliminated Mexico’s ability to make the big play and roared to a 29-8 win. German defensive end Constantin Ritzmann, whose impressive performance the previous year had brought him to the attention of a Florida high school where he would play his senior year, claimed the MVP award. That same week he signed a national letter of intent with defending national college champion Tennessee.
In Atlanta in 2000 an expanded four-team tournament saw Europe sweep Panama 20-0 in the semi finals, while Canada edged hosts USA 9-3. In a Championship Game played in below freezing temperatures fans lit fires on the sidelines to fend off the cold as Canada secured a slim 7-6 victory. In the bronze medal game USA romped to a 38-0 win. Many Super Bowl activities fell victim to the ice storm, but not the NFL Global Junior Championship.
Tampa Bay, Florida, was the setting for the 2001 NFL Global Junior Championship V. The host USA team took advantage of early mistakes by Europe and stormed to a 49-5 semi final victory. Waiting for them to set up an all-North America final was Canada, 27-8 victors over Japan.
The bronze medal went to the speedy Japanese whose three interceptions including one returned 85 yards for a touchdown defeated Europe 14-7. In the final and trailing 21-19, the Canadians tried to snatch victory at the death. Only a sack and finally an interception with 24 seconds remaining kept the USA defense on top to ensure a host nation triumphed for the first time.
Defending its title in 2002, the USA swept aside Europe 39-6 in the semi final as all stars from the greater New Orleans area high schools made their mark. Canada was determined to avenge its narrow loss of a year earlier and breezed into the final with a 54-12 destruction of Japan.
Europe claimed the bronze medal, winning 27-16 against Japan, while the Championship Game was again a close contest. With defenses on top the USA led 16-8 until Canada’s Mike Faulds threw a Hail Mary touchdown as time expired to pull within two points. The deuce conversion attempt sailed agonizingly through the hands of a wide receiver and USA held on for victory.
The Team USA roster that represented the New Orleans area featured four players who went on to Louisiana State University to play for the event’s banquet speaker coach Nick Saban, in defensive backs Vernon Russell and Troy Hankton, offensive lineman Garrett Wibel and running back Jason Spadoni.
In San Diego in 2003 a record five teams competed as Mexico made a welcome return and outlasted Europe and beat Japan to finish third overall. Following a jamboree shootout round, Europe shut out Japan in the medal rounds to claim fourth place and place their opponents fifth. The Championship Game proved to be another thrilling encounter between USA and Canada. USA recovered from a 21-7 deficit in a dramatic fourth quarter to force overtime. Arizona-bound quarterback Richard Kovalcheck underlined his credentials and broke Canadian hearts with a second touchdown pass to Johnny Principato, who had also caught the game-tying score.
Texas state champion head coach Mike Johnston of Katy High School took charge of Team USA in 2004. Although the Houston-Harris County all stars lost to Canada in the first round stages, they recovered to retain the NFL GJC crown with a 31-point shutout of their rivals from north of the border in the Championship Game. Mexico claimed third place from a spirited Japanese team, while the tournament welcomed a new competitor in Russia, as the European Junior champions replaced the Team Europe all-stars
The 2005 tournament in Jacksonville, FL, saw Canada finally overcome USA in a thrilling championship game, outlasting the home team 38-35 at a packed Bolles School Stadium. Canada had also triumphed over the USA in the round robin stage and celebrated head coach Danny Maciocia’s appointment as the new head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.
Canada saw leads of 14-0 and 31-14 chipped away before a touchdown by MVP Jerome Messam, who rushed for an incredible 308 yards, sealed a close victory. Mexico claimed third place for the third year running with a 42-point shutout of European Champion France and a 21-14 victory over Japan. The spirited Japanese team took fourth spot by beating France 21-13.
Many players on the 36-man Team USA roster committed to NCAA scholarships during the week of the tournament, as did Canada’s Jerome Messam, who was bound for Rutgers. Riley Skinner (Wake Forest), Rod Owens (Florida State), Rocky Ross (UCF), Colin Peek (Georgia Tech), Randall Cox (Georgia Tech), John Russell (Wake Forest), Joe Singleton (Southern Miss.), Michael Hicks (Ole Miss), Jeff Griffin (Wake Forest), Craig James (Louisville), and Rick Taylor (Hawaii) all committed on national signing day.
The 2006 tournament was played indoors for the first time in the event’s ten-year history at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. Canada was in no mood to relinquish its title and swept convincingly through the first round without conceding a point. Team USA, under the leadership of three-time Ohio state champion coach Dick Cromwell, stole into the championship game with a field goal as time expired to defeat Mexico.
Japan took the bronze medal with a thrilling victory over Mexico as a gutsy call to go for a two-point conversion edged a close contest 8-7. In the Championship Game Canada’s defense again held firm to shut out USA 10-0 and Samuel Fournier’s dominant ground attack earned him the MVP award.
A return to Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale in 2007 saw the GJC increase in numbers, welcoming a sixth team as Panama made a welcome return. Canada lifted its third straight championship with a 23-13 victory over a USA team featuring players from Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Quarterback Bruno Prud’Homme ran and threw for a touchdown as new Canada head coach Glen Constantin announced his reign with a victory.
Mexico reclaimed third place with a 25-17 comeback win over Japan, having trailed 14-0 in the first quarter. Panama finished fifth overall with its first GJC triumph in five games by outlasting France 14-6. The tournament welcomed some prestigious names among its supporters as former Dallas Cowboys all-pro running back Emmitt Smith and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor enjoyed the action.
Coaching in the NFL Global Junior Championship is a prestigious honor. Several USA teams have kicked off the tournament with members of their coaching staff having won a state championship during the prior season.
Lou Valdin of GJCVI host Hahnville High School was a Team USA Assistant Coach having led his team to the 2003 Louisiana State Championship. A year later, Ed Burke led Torrey Pines High School to the 2003 San Diego CIF Championship and was Team USA Head Coach. In 2004 Team USA was led by Mike Johnston of Katy High School, the Texas 5A State Champions. Following on the tradition in 2005, Corky Rogers of The Bolles School captured the 2004 Florida 3A State Championship before taking over the Team USA reins.
NFL GJC Team USA Head Coaches
2000 Jim Dorsey, McEachern HS, GA
2001 Sam Roper, Seminole HS, FL
2002 Don Wattigny, Karr HS, LA
2003 * Ed Burke Torrey Pines HS, CA
2004 * Mike Johnston Katy HS, TX
2005 * Corky Rogers, The Bolles School, FL
2006 Dick Cromwell, St Francis De Sales, OH
2007 Mark Guandolo, Chaminade-Madonna, FL
* Was the reigning state champion or equivalent
NFL GJC Honorary Chairmen
1997 Tex Schramm, President, Dallas Cowboys
1998 Darren Bennett, P, San Diego Chargers
1999 Dwight Stephenson, C, Miami Dolphins
2000 Dan Reeves, Head Coach, Atlanta Falcons
2001 Hassan Jones, WR, Minnesota Vikings
2002 La’Roi Glover, DT New Orleans Saints &
Jake Delmomme, QB, New Orleans Saints
2003 Darren Bennett, P, San Diego Chargers
2004 Elvin Bethea, Hall of Fame DE
2005 LeRoy Butler, S, Green Bay Packers
2006 Herman Moore, WR, Detroit Lions
2007 Jason Taylor, DE, Miami Dolphins
(NFL Defensive Player of the Year)