Quarterback Kurt Kittner had a three-year NFL career after leading the Illini to the 2001 Big Ten title with a 7-1 conference record and Sugar Bowl appearance as a senior. He earned Second-Team All-Big Ten recognition in 2001 and was a three-year starter for the Illini. Kittner finished second on the UI career passing list with 8,722 yards, just three yards behind Jack Trudeau’s school mark. Kittner still ranks third in career completions (682), first in attempts (1,254), first in touchdown passes (70) and has the two top single-seasons for touchdown passes with 27 and 24. He was named the Fighting Illini Most Valuable Player in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1999. Kittner was drafted in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, where he played in 2002 and 2003. His third NFL season came with the Chicago Bears in 2005. Kittner also played for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe, helping the Admirals to the 2005 championship while earning World Bowl XIII MVP honors. Following his playing career, Kittner served as football color analyst on the Illini Sports Radio Network for seven years.