According to the Chicago Bears website, for UNH wide receiver David Ball has been cut from the team and had his rookie contract terminated.
Another report, this one by the Burlington Free Press, said that Ball would remain in Chicago and that the Bears planned to re-sign him before the end of the week. According to the story, the team cut Ball as a short-term 'tactical move' and that he was free to sign with any other NFL team that offered him a contract.
Ball, who graduated in 2007 with a dual degree in kinesiology and sports education, is the Wildcats all-time leader in receiving yardage and receptions. He is also second in scoring behind former NFL player Jerry Azumah.
Last season, Ball broke the FCS (formerly I-AA) touchdown reception record, held by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. He scored his record breaking 51st career touchdown on Oct. 6, 2006 against the University of Richmond and went on to score seven more times to set the new all-time mark at 58. He also approached the all-time marks in receiving yardage and 100-yard games, but fell just short of those goals.
Chicago signed Ball after going unpicked in last April's NFL draft. He was among the last 18 players cut by the Bears during training camp, and was subsequently asked to join the team's practice squad after no other team picked him up. The minimum NFL rookie contract is $285,000, although player contracts are not guaranteed and if a player is cut or quits the team, the remaining balance of his contract is voided.
Ball's former UNH and now Chicago teammate Corey Graham is still listed on the Bears' team roster, but he has not yet had any playing time.
The Bears were the 14th in passing in the NFL last season, averaging 205.1-yards per game. This year, through two games, the Bears are 29th in passing, averaging only 127-yards per game. The Bears currently have six wide receivers on their roster, including former Pro-Bowler, Muhsin Muhammad and standout return-man, Devin Hester.
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