Todd Hendricks

Hendricks in 2013

Todd Hendricks (born August 13, 1968 in Graceville, Minnesota) is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver, running back, and kick returner. Hendricks played professionally for several seasons as one of the all time top Imports in the Austrian Football League highest level. He later played in Switzerland Nationalliga A (American football).

Hendricks played college football at Minnesota State-Fergus Falls and the University of Mary. Hendricks is inducted into the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and the National Minor League football Hall of Fame. Hendricks has been a coach since his playing career ended.

Early years[]

Todd Hendricks starred in high school for Alexandria, Minnesota as a football, basketball and track athlete.

Hendricks earned three letters and was a two year starter playing running back in football for Alexandria. Despite missing several games due to injuries, Hendricks was awarded most valuable back/receiver as a junior and special teams MVP as a senior. He earned all conference and all section honors. He was the first player at Alexandria to ever score touchdowns five different ways via rushing, receiving, punt return, kick return and throw a touchdown pass. He set a then Minnesota state record for punt return yards in a season. Hendricks helped the team to win section and conference championships.

In Basketball Hendricks was a three-year starter, captain, team MVP, earned two all conference awards as well as WCCO All State honors. He averaged 18 points per game without a three-point shot and led his team to its first winning season in over a decade.

Hendricks also participated in track in his junior year and was the subsection 100 meter dash champion, and also part of three indoor school record setting relay teams.

Hendricks drew recruiting attention and offers from colleges in football, basketball and track.

As a youth, he was also an outstanding baseball player as shortstop, pitcher.

College career[]

Hendricks played four seasons of college football as receiver, running back and kick returner. He was recruited by numerous colleges at every level. Academic issues led him to junior college.

Hendricks earned Minnesota College Athletic Conference all league honors and was named 1988 JC Gridwire All-American for his all purpose production at Minnesota State Community & Technical College-Fergus Falls. Hendricks was a top sprinter on the track team in the 100 (10.75), 200, 400 relay in earning MCAC honors. He also had stint playing on basketball team. Hendricks was honored with induction to the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2015.

On an athletic scholarship, Hendricks played the final two years of his standout college football career at the University of Mary Marauders. Hendricks earned all conference honors as a starting receiver and running back. Hendricks helped lead the University of Mary to its first ever top 25 final national ranking in 1991 as a senior captain. Hendricks was the first player ever from the University of Mary to sign a professional football contract. Hendricks returned to college and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Mary in 2000.

Hendricks played for three different head coaches in his college career. He was timed consistently in the low 4.4's in the 40.

Professional career[]

Hendricks signing autographs

Hendricks drew interest and workouts with several pro teams from the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and in Europe.

On December 28th 1992, Hendricks signed a professional contract in the Austrian Football League for the [de] of Vienna, Austria. He played all or parts of six seasons from 1993 until 2001 for the AFC Rangers at the highest level of the Austrian Football League and Europe. Hendricks helped the Rangers to the Austrian Football League playoffs semi final four times, as well as the European Football League 1996 Eurobowl tournament playoffs.

In 1995, Hendricks was honored as Austrian Football League MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Hendricks scored a league record 20 touchdowns (14 receiving and 6 rushing) that season in eight games, the next closest in the league was nine touchdowns. As of 2020, Hendricks is the only AFC Rangers player ever to earn the Austrian Football League MVP award.

Hendricks set several Austrian Football League records during his career. He was named All Europe by the European Federation of American Football after the 1995, 1996, 1997 seasons. Hendricks averaged 167 all purpose yards and over two touchdowns per game in his career in Europe.

In 1999, Hendricks played for the St Paul Pigs in Minnesota. The Pigs team had more than twenty former University of Minnesota players on the roster along with a former NFL draft pick. Hendricks led the team in rushing and led the league in yards per reception, while also finishing second in the league in receiving touchdowns. He helped the Pigs to an undefeated season and won the league championship. Hendricks was named to the Mid America league and AFA all star teams. The Pigs franchise folded after its only season.

The next season 2000, Hendricks returned to Europe and again played for the Rangers in the Austrian Football League.

Comeback[]

In 2008, Hendricks made a comeback from his 2002 retirement at age 40 to play and coach the last three games of the season for the Vienna Knights in Austria.

In 2009, Hendricks signed with the Bern Grizzlies of Switzerland's top level Nationalliga A (American football). Hendricks ruptured his Achilles' tendon ending his playing season early in the fifth game. Hendricks had scored eight touchdowns before the injury. The team reached league semi-finals. Hendricks went through surgery in Switzerland and then rehab in the USA.

In 2010, He came back strong signing to play and coach with the Thun Tigers of Switzerland. Hendricks accounted for 19 total touchdowns in leading the team to its best season in many years.

Hendricks is considered one of the top American imports to play in Austria and Europe. He was inducted to the US National Minor League Football Hall of Fame in 2004. He has also helped promote the game in the USA and Europe at schools, camps, and clinics in his career.

Coaching[]

Hendricks has been a successful coach in the US and Europe in recent years winning nearly eighty percent of games and four championships as a head coach at Wabasso High School, Alexandria Mustangs, Bern Grizzlies, and Terni Steelers, Viterbo Pitbulls in Italy. He has also served as an assistant coach or coordinator at Osakis High School, Kimball High School, ACGC High School, Ridgewater College, Augsburg College, Thun Tigers and AFC Rangers. Hendricks is currently an assistant football coach at North Dakota State College of Science. He is divorced, has five children and resides in Minnesota.