Category Archives: GFL

GFL, NFL, NFLE, XFL

Hippler, Werner

CARDS: Frankfurt Galaxy Team Issue 2000, 2003
ACQUIRED: 2023, Private Acquisition

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • German born Werner Hippler is considered a home grown Football Legend.
  • Played college ball at Sacramento State at TE from 1992-’94.
  • In ’95 played for the Frankfurt Galaxy catching 2 passes for 6 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Spent two seasons on the practice squad of the San Diego Chargers.
  • During that period returned to Frankfurt, playing for the Galaxy through the 2000 campaign.
  • Also played for the GFL Cologne Red Barons/ Crocodiles as well.
  • In 1999 caught a career high 34 passes for 341 yards for the Galaxy.
  • After going through camp with the Detroit Lions, played with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL 2001 catching a pass for 6 yards.
  • Returned to the NFLE playing for the Galaxy through the ’03 season.
  • In 2004, had a change of scenery, and played for the Cologne Centurions.
  • He’d catch 18 passes for 128 yards and a TD over the next 4 seasons before the league ended.

ACCOLADES:

  • All World League 1999-’00

NOTES:

Hippler all in all played in 12 football seasons and played in more games than any other player in NFLE history. He’s gotten a few bit roles in movies, and runs a security company. He’s also been involved with the GFL and the Hamburg Huskies.

GFL, NFL, NFLE

Benetka, Daniel ‘The Bull’

CARD: Frankfurt Galaxy Team Issue 2003
ACQUIRED: eBay 2023, Private Acquisition

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Daniel Benetka was a 6-foot-4-inch, 295lb DL who attended the University of Idaho.
  • He also was a Discus thrower at the school notching a throw of 183.5 yards.
  • Signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie free agent, but was released prior to the 1999 regular season.
  • Signed with the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFLE in 2001.
  • Ended up having a very long and productive career in the NFLE playing there from 2001 to the league’s conclusion in 2007.
  • Played with the Indianapolis Colts during the 2001 preseason, but it is not clear if he was released prior to the regular season.
  • Played with the New England Patriots during the 2003 preseason, but was released prior to the regular season.
  • Played for the Falcons in 2004.
  • Over seven seasons in the NFLE posted 4.5 sacks and 2 interceptions for 10 yards.

NOTES:

Daniel is considered a Frankfurt Galaxy ‘great’ and was involved with the founding of the GFL club, the Frankfurt Universe. He’s also been active in promoting the sport of American Football in Europe.