The Rattlers have acquired a quarterback with a famous last name.
Vincent Testaverde Jr., son of former Miami Hurricanes and NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, signed with the Indoor Football League team, the Arizona Rattlers announced on Tuesday.
Vinny Testaverde was the No. 1 NFL draft pick in 1987, taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent 21 years in the NFL.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Vincent Testaverde Jr., during a Buccaneers NFL football rookie mini camp Friday, May 10, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) (Photo: Chris O’Meara, AP)
The younger Testaverde was part of the Bucs’ camp, following his college career, which began at a walk-on at Texas Tech, following by a transfer to Miami and ending up at Albany. He also was in the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions’ training camp.
Testaverde Jr., 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, started eight games during his senior year at Albany, an NCAA Division I-AA school, where he passed for 1,714 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In 2014, after playing only two football seasons in high school, he played one game for Texas Tech, when future NFL star Patrick Mahomes was out with an injury.
He’ll be competing for the Rattlers quarterback job with returning starter Drew Powell, who led them to the 2019 United Bowl.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
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