MONMOUTH, Ill. — Three years ago, Monmouth College quarterback Mitch Tanney stole the show during the annual Bronze Turkey Game with Knox by completing 21 of his 23 pass attempts for 405 yards and five touchdowns in the Fighting Scots’ 48-0 victory. Included in his national record-breaking day for accuracy were three TDs of 36 yards or more.

That Monmouth team was on its way to a 10-0 regular season and an NCAA playoff berth, and the Scots have an identical résumé this year. Monmouth has locked up an NCAA bid, the team is undefeated and the Scots are quarterbacked by a Tanney – Mitch’s younger brother, Alex.

Mitch was on campus two days prior to the Bronze Turkey Game to talk football, but the subject wasn’t a college football rivalry that is heralded as the second-longest west of the Alleghenies. Rather, Tanney addressed Monmouth’s "Business in Context" course, a class that is team-taught by political economy and commerce faculty colleagues Don Capener and Mike Connell.

The professors analyzed the business model of the Arena Football League, which hopes to become America’s fifth major sport behind the NFL, the NBA, the NHL and Major League Baseball. After explaining some of the differences between the AFL and traditional sports business models, Capener and Connell turned the floor over to Tanney, who is hoping to catch on with an AFL team for the 2009 season.

Tanney has risen through the ranks of professional football since graduating from Monmouth in 2006. In fact, he told the crowd of approximately 60 students, football players and Fighting Scots coaches that he missed his MC commencement ceremony to travel to Sweden, where he played professionally for a season.

In 2007, Tanney played in the af2, a "minor" league compared to the AFL. He became the starting quarterback for the Alabama Steeldogs a few games into the season and helped guide them to the playoffs. However, in what is a somewhat common occurrence in arena football, Tanney saw his team fold following the season.

"That’s when I realized that football was a business," he said. "As a player, you could see that the organization was really struggling financially."

Tanney told the class that his pay in those days was $200 per game, with another $50 if the team won.

"People might wonder, ‘Why would you play for that?,’ he said. "If you get the chance to play professionally, you do it."

Tanney’s professional career in 2008 was an interesting one, to say the least. He felt he had a pretty good opportunity going with the AFL’s Tampa Bay Storm, saying, "I really enjoyed it down there. I went to camp thinking I wouldn’t be their starter, but I could possibly be on the roster. I wound up being on the practice squad."

Soon, however, he was headed north to pursue an opportunity with the AFL’s Philadelphia Soul after their star quarterback, Tony Graziani, was injured. When Graziani returned, Tanney was released. He headed back to Tampa, where he was informed that he had been claimed by the Kansas City Brigade.

His KC career was so brief, however, that Tanney told the class, "I never went there once."

Next was a stint with the New Orleans Voodoo, a team that, like the Steeldogs, no longer exists. In all, Tanney dressed for eight of the 16 weeks of play that season, but didn’t take a single snap.

"That was a strange thing," he said. "It was the first season I hadn’t played quarterback since I can remember."

Tanney did get on the field, though, serving as a holder on kicks. He said that was ironic, considering how he had been passed over for that responsibility at Monmouth by special teams coach Dave Ragone, who was in attendance at his talk. The two shared a laugh about that.

Tanney told the class that, overall, the talent level in the Arena Football League is close to what is found in the NFL.

"Every player says they want to make it to ‘The League,’" he said, adding that a handful have, most notably Kurt Warner, but also players like Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas, Detroit Lions wide receiver Mike Furrey and the Chicago Bears’ Rashied Davies.

Speed is often the determining factor in who will get an opportunity to advance, he said, adding, "In the NFL, quarterback speed doesn’t matter, though, which is a good thing if any of you have seen me run."

When comparing the leagues, Tanney said the NFL has received the reputation of being the "No Fun League," due to its restrictions on player celebrations and related actions. That’s the opposite of the AFL, or "All Fun League," which views itself as being extremely fan-friendly as it offers the "total entertainment experience."

In regard to scoring celebrations, Tanney said, "In the AFL, if you can dream it, you can do it. You’re allowed to do pretty much anything you want. I’ve seen guys get on the pads around the field and pretend they’re bull-riding, and I’ve seen a guy pull out an umbrella and do a little dance with that."

Who knows? Maybe the former Monmouth great can develop a trademark AFL celebration of his own in 2009 – maybe something with a Scottish twist?