Skip to Main Content
Advertisement
 
Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A graphic shows former NIU football players James Ester and DaRon Gilbert, who recently signed futures contracts with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, respectively. Ester and Gilbert are two of three former Huskies under contract for the 2025 NFL season, along with Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

James Ester, DaRon Gilbert sign NFL futures contracts

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 21, 2025

DeKALB — After completing their first NFL season, two former NIU football teammates are extending their professional careers by signing futures contracts with their respective teams. Green Bay Packers defensive lineman James Ester and Detroit Lions...

Huskies in the NFL: week 13 performance recap

By Kyle Mathas | December 5, 2019

DeKALB – Week 13 of the NFL season featured multiple former Huskie football players who represented NIU in big ways.Guard Max Scharping once again played every offensive snap when on Sunday night the Houston Texans defeated the New England Patriots...

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs free safety Juan Thornhill (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Update: Former Huskies performing in NFL, XFL potential destination for others

By James Krause | October 10, 2019

DeKALB — Four former NIU football players remain in the NFL, including one who is part of the only remaining undefeated team in the NFC.Defensive back Jimmie Ward of the San Francisco 49ers made his season debut Monday night against the Cleveland Browns,...

Safety Jimmie Ward was drafted No. 30 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft May 8, 2014, according to a May 9, 2014 Northern Star article.

Other NFL players from NIU

By Brooklynn Schmidgall | May 1, 2017

Tim Semisch was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, according to a May 16, 2016 Northern Star article.

It’s hard out there for a Lions fan

By Phil Case | September 22, 2010

Are you there, blog? It's me, Phil Case. For weeks, I've been trying to decide what the topic of my inaugural blog should be. Should it be something topical? Humorous? Personal? All of the above? Then it dawned on me. The NFL season is officially under...

RANT: Bear’s cheap win

By Jerry Burnes | September 12, 2010

I'll take a 1-0 start for the Bears, but in reality, they lost that game. Rules are rules, I know, but Calvin Johnson caught that final pass, and highlighted the minor intricacies - and problems- with football's terrible rules. "Megatron" had every aspect...

Sign In

Register

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.