Bill with Vince Ferragamo

Vince Ferragamo and Bill Lovelace

Vince Anthony Ferragamo (born April 24, 1954 in Torrance, California) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League.

College career

Ferragamo began his college career as a University of California Golden Bear, but it soon became obvious that he couldn't unseat All-American Steve Bartkowski and soon to be All-American Joe Roth, so he transferred. He was a two-time lettermen at the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers in 1975 and 1976, the final year of which he earned All-America and All-Conference Honors in the Big 8. He also led the Huskers to a victory against Texas Tech in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.

Professional career

National Football League

He played for the Los Angeles Rams (1977-1980 and 1982-1984), Buffalo Bills (1985) and Green Bay Packers (1985-1986). After leading the 9-7 Rams to road victories over the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1979 NFL Playoffs, Ferragamo started for the Rams in Super Bowl XIV, in which the Rams led after three quarters of play before being overwhelmed by the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19.

Ferragamo enjoyed his best statistical season in 1980 in which he threw for 30 touchdowns, tied for second most in the NFL. The Rams again made the playoffs, but were defeated by Dallas, 34-13 in an NFC Wild Card Playoff game.

Canadian Football League

Ferragamo played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League for one year, 1981. He was signed to a large contract by NFL and CFL standards. However, Ferragamo had a difficult time adapting to Canadian football and Montreal went on to win only three games during the season against 13 losses. Quarterbacks during the 1981 season included J.C. Watts, Dieter Brock, Tom Clements and Condredge Holloway. The 1981 season would see Warren Moon lead the Edmonton Eskimos to a fourth consecutive Grey Cup. Ferragamo's last game in Canada was a loss to the Ottawa Rough Riders in the Eastern semi-final.

Return to NFL

On December 26, 1982, Ferragamo threw for 509 yards in a game against the Chicago Bears, at the time the second highest passing mark in league history behind former Ram Norm Van Brocklin. It was the third time in league history that a quarterback had passed for over 500 yards in a game, the first by Norm Van Brocklin (554 yards) and the second by Y.A. Tittle (505 yards). Subsequent to his return, Ferragamo led the Rams back to the NFL playoffs during the 1983 season behind the running of rookie Eric Dickerson. After beating the favored Cowboys in Irving in the wild card matchup 24-17, Ferragamo and the Rams were drubbed by the defending Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl-bound Washington Redskins by the score of 51-7.

He has been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice, once in 1980 and again in 1981.

Present Day

Ferragamo currently owns a real estate business in southern California-and is about to launch a private label company, Ferragamo-Migneco Vineyards, featuring fine quality domestic and imported wines. He is also the chairman of the Vince Ferragamo Foundation (www.vffoundation.org) a charitable organization that focuses on raising donations for children's organizations such as the Special Olympics and the Ronald McDonald House. He is highly regarded for his reputation as a smart businessman and someone who genuinely cares for his community and the well-being of others