For former University of Minnesota Duluth standout football player Russell Rabe, the past year has been filled with all the ups and downs an athlete could ask for.

From being one of five non-Division I players to play in the Hula Bowl, to signing a free agent contract with the New Orlean Saints; being let go and picked up by the New York Giants and than being let go again; it seemed like the dream of playing in the NFL for Rabe would be a short and sweet one.

However, as it would seem, Rabe's chance has arrived, as he was recently re-signed by the Saints, than allocated to play for NFL Europe and drafted by the Hamburg, Germany Sea Devils.

The Bulldog linebacker was selected in the third round (out of 21) in Sunday's 2006 NFLEL Draft and may see some playing time in the upcoming season, if all goes well.

Rabe finished his Bulldog career as the university’s all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 29, was one of only two Minnesota-based players selected to the Hula Bowl roster and the second player in Bulldog football history to participate in a national Division I

post-season all-star game.

Other accomplishments include being one of just five players selected to the Cactus Bowl (D2 all-star game) roster from the North Central Conference and the only player selected from a Minnesota-based NCC team.

In 2005 the Business Management grad was tabbed First Team All-NCC, after leading the conference in tackles for loss. He was named to D2Football.com’s All-Northwest Region Second Team and he concluded his UMD career with 224 total tackles including 45.5 tackles for a loss.

Training camp begins next week as the 2006 NFLEL season begins on Mar. 18.