I was a good couple years behind them, actually went to high school in california missouri but grew up in Jefferson City until 7th grade and hung out there during high school, subsequently living there. Class of 2002 in California.. so maybe 4ish years or so behind them, but everyone knew about them.

I live in a small town near the Canadian border in NE Washington. Not exactly a football factory. However, we did have one kid make it the NFL, though mostly as a back up - James Darling.

I remember seeing Martin Rucker at a track meet at Benton High School. He wasn't even participating (couldn't participate at that meet for some reason), just messing around afterward, and he dominated the high jump. Would have easily won the event.

Our HS rival was Martin, TN. Next town over. Played against Chad Clifton.
They beat us 54-17.

russell erxleben
not a neighbor, but a cousin.
sec

Went to college with Leon Lett... lived in the same dorm bulding for a semester. He filled a doorway up.

Brian Urlacher, Kimo Oelhoffen, Ray Mansfield are some football players from my town.
Clint Didier from a town nearby.

When I was in college at Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Delanie Walker was my neighbor! We lived on the same floor of a building. He was probably the best player that the team had, and now he is a tight end for the 49ers!

Use to live a few houses down from Derrick Thomas on the cliffs. He was the nicest, most down to earth guy, acted like he had no idea people looked at him like he was a "celebrity". He knew I was a chiefs fan and would invite me over just to be nice, and did his best to make anyone not feel out of place.
When my car broke down he saw me on the side of the street, got out and pushed my car all the way home.

I grew up a block away from the Strams. That's the only NFL connection.

When my parents downsized from that home they moved into a home where Bud Black (Royals' pitcher, current SD Padres Mgr.) lived right behind them.

John Calipari lived across the street from me in Lawrence when he was an assistant.

That's all I got.

He came down to my gym and trained last summer. Super nice kid.

Same here. I probably know you. I was in the same school with him from 1st grade to 12th. I was on the Oregon Trail b-ball team with him.

You and huffman may be too young to remember George Shorthose. He was a senior my freshman year ('79-'80) - I didn't know him personally but was friends with his sister. He was the heart and soul of the Jays - averaged 10.4 yards per carry over his four years. Jeff City won the state championship three years in a row and lost the championship game in his senior year. Going to those home games during that time was awesome beyond words - they just beat the living shit out of everybody and it rocked. Fun times.

George went on to play for Missouri (unfortunately during a time when they were absolutely horrible) and briefly in the pros.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Falcon_(athlete)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Williams

Also had a teammate in soccer play in the MLS for a few years, and a buddy from college play on Rod Stewart's semi-pro soccer team up in Seattle for a while.

All I can think of right away.

I was lab partners with Kellen Winslow in one of my classes at Mizzou. I've had some ex-Chiefs as customers over the years. Nobody from my high school in the NFL but we had a Cy Young winning pitcher (Rick Sutcliffe). His Cubs jersey is in the front hall of Van Horn HS in Independence.