The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Kukwa signs with Chargers
New Year’s Eve began as a promising day for Anthony Kukwa, but it ended in disappointing fashion.
Fortunately for the Perry and Lake Erie College graduate, New Year’s Day and the day after started the true celebration.
A wild three-day course from one coast to the other ended on Jan. 3 when Kukwa got what he wanted: Another chance in the NFL.
That became a reality when Kukwa put ink to paper, and made official his NFL futures three-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers as a long-snapper.
Futures contracts are used by NFL teams to secure players they think could have value for the upcoming season. It does not go into effect until the start of the league’s new year, which is typically during the spring. A futures contract does not count against a team’s 53-man roster. It will count against a team’s salary cap, and training camp roster.
In Kukwa’s case, the deal isn’t guaranteed, as Kukwa has to make the club first. That’s fine with him. Kukwa has been through this process before. He signed with the Raiders after last year’s draft, but was released July 7 after the team’s minicamps.
“I have a feel for the league now, and I know what teams are looking for,” said Kukwa. “The experience in Oakland helped prepare me. It was a learning experience the first time around.”
Since his release by the Raiders, he’s been working part-time jobs, helping care for his two young sons with his ex-wife, and training with Perry strength coach Mike Crissinger and personal strength coach Mike Anderson. The goal was to land with another NFL team, and the way it unfolded out played with Kukwa’s emotions.
He flew to New York on New Year’s Eve for his Giants’ tryout, and was hopeful to sign but by the next day he was informed by the club a contract would not be offered. A disappointed
Kukwa was preparing to board his flight back home until his agent called with a message the Chargers were interested.
“My flight got re-routed to LA.,” said Kukwa, who spent New Year’s Day trying out with the Chargers.
He signed his futures contract on Jan. 3.
“I had a lot of emotions (after the Giants tryout), but I’m happy with another opportunity,” said Kukwa, 25. “It’s so hard just to get your foot in the door in this league. So many guys are trying to get in. It stinks being on the outside looking in, so you really have to fight hard for a job.”
Kukwa said he also had tryouts with the Jets and Titans during the NFL’s regular season. He admitted his first stint in the Raiders’ camp was an eye-opener. Having spent his entire football career to that point playing other positions, the attention he needed to give to long-snapping wasn’t there. That’s changed since his time with the Raiders.
Kukwa also sought out advice from former NFL long-snapper Kyle Stelter, who offers instruction and advice to hopefuls. Kukwa said he and Stelter have had multiple sessions via video calls.
“I knew I needed to figure things out. I needed someone to get me over the hump,” said Kukwa of Stelter. “I didn’t know how technical (long-snapping) was. Now that this is my career, I’m really getting the help I need with hand positioning, following through. Where your hands go is where the ball goes.”
Now the goal for Kukwa is to stick with this next NFL opportunity.
“Nothing is guaranteed until I make the team,” he said. “But I plant to give this a go as long as I can.”