NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players: No. 22 - Chris Finlen, Hononegah

Ironically, the 22nd ranked player on our list was never that big of a star even though he played the marquee quarterback position.

Chris Finlen of Hononegah just always seemed to be the right guy to lead a football team.

Finlen was a fine two-year starter at Hononegah in 1995 and 1996. He finished second in the NIC-9 in passing yardage as a junior as the Indians went 5-4. As a senior, Finlen led the NIC-9 in passing yardage (1,146) and completion percentage (57.3%) and had a stellar 10-4 touchdown to interception ratio. He led Hononegah to a 12-1 record and advanced to the IHSA 5A semifinals before falling to Joliet Catholic. 

That Indians team, though, is better remembered for its record-setting rushing attack. Fullback Kevin Selover - No. 53 on this list - gained 660 yards on the ground. More importantly, Selover was the lead blocker for Matt Beachey, who gained a remarkable 2,350 yards in 13 games with 25 touchdowns. The rushing yards were a record by a large margin and it's a record that hasn't been threatened since.

Finlen was so overshadowed that he didn't receive a single Division 1A scholarship offer. He decided to roll the dice walk on at Norther Illinois University. It was good timing. In the late 1980s, coach Jerry Pettibone had turned the Huskies into a mid-major power. By 1996, NIU had sunk to being one of the worst programs in the country, going 1-10 in the first season under Joe Novak.

Finlen made an impression right away. He not only made the team, but he took over as starter in the seventh game of his freshman season. It was a trial by fire as Finlen threw for 1,107 yards in an 0-11 season.

Finlen had to sit out the 1998 season after breaking his collarbone, but he won the starting job again in 1999 and ended up being NIU's first three-time captain. When he came back, NIU was on the rise. The Huskies won 17 of Finlen's final 31 starts. The Huskies went 6-5 in 2000 and 2001. These were NIU's first winning seasons since 1990 and a signal of what was to come. Beginning in 2000, NIU had winning records in 14 of 16 seasons.

Like his time at Hononegah, though, the Huskies under Novak were known more for its running attacks. The 2000 and 2001 teams featured Thomas Hammock and future NFL star Michael Turner in the backfield. Still, Finlen ended up becoming the first QB in NIU history to pass for 1,000 or more yards in four seasons. He ended up with 6,551 yards throwing on a 55.2 completion percentage and 42 touchdowns. He still ranks third all time in NIU career passing yardage and fifth in TD passes.

After NIU, there initially was little NFL interest in Finlen. He spent a year working for the Chicago Bears in personnel and continuing to train. He changed agents and finally got several chances in the NFL.

In 2003, Finlen signed with the New Orleans Saints. When he didn't make that roster, he headed to Europe to play for the Barcelona Dragons where he had four TD passes as a backup.

In 2004, the New York Jets signed him, but he never moved above No. 4 on the depth chart.

Finally, in 2005, the Saints signed Finlen to a two-year deal. They sent him back to Europe to play for the Berlin Thunder. In the end, Finlen never made the Saints roster. He ended his pro career with 385 yards passing and five TDs in NFL Europe.

At that point, Finlen decided to put his NIU degree to use. He became a sales rep for Medtronic Spine and Biologics in Chicago. Today, he's the district sales manager.

No. 22 - Chris Finlen, Hononegah
Year	Level	School	Accomplishments	Points
1995	High School	Hononegah	Winning Team	1
1996	High School	Hononegah	First Team All-NIC-9	2
			Conference Champion	1
			Playoff Team	1
			Final Four	1
			League Leader	1
1997	College	Northern Illinois	Letter Winner on Div. 1A Team	3.5
			Starter	1
1999	College	Northern Illinois	Letter Winner on Div. 1A Team	3.5
			Starter	1
2000	College	Northern Illinois	Letter Winner on Div. 1A Team	3.5
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
2001	College	Northern Illinois	Letter Winner on Div. 1A Team	3.5
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
2003	NFL	New Orleans	Signed Free Agent Contract	1
2003	NFL Europe	Barcelona	Played in NFL Europe	1
2004	NFL	New York Jets	Signed Free Agent Contract	1
2005	NFL	New Orleans	Signed Free Agent Contract	1
2005	NFL Europe	Berlin	Planed in NFL Europe	1
Total				31.5

NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players