Hassan Probherbs, Buffalo’s New Secret Destroyer
Tom Ando
Tuesday May 22, 2001
Probherbs was an all-state quarterback at James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York. He went to junior college at the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, California, playing quarterback for the Road Runners before changing schools to Portland State, and position from quarterback to defensive back.
In his senior year at Portland state, Probherbs, then a cornerback, was Second Team All Big Sky and won the team award for Outstanding Defensive Back, attracting scouts. He received nibbles but no bites. “I got a good look at the NFL, but I didn`t make it. I never got my shot honestly,” said Probherbs.
In 2000, Probherbs decided to keep playing football.
“Basically, I still wanted to get an opportunity to play on the big field,” said Probherbs. “And I figured this was a step up from college, so I wanted to go ahead and take advantage of that opportunity that I got.”
He was a member of the Portland Prowlers of the IPFL where he played defensive back, racking up eight interceptions and 10 pass break-ups along with 81 tackles. Shining in the IPFL, Probherbs caught the attention of Destroyers coach Ray Bentley.
“When we saw Hassan, he was playing in the indoor league out in Portland, and we saw him on tape,” said Bentley. “We liked the way he played.”
Probherbs knew it was a good idea to sign in Buffalo. “I think [the AFL] was a better opportunity for me. I just finished playing the indoor game [in the IPFL], so I felt like I could still do that,” said Probherbs. “Plus it’s close to the home, so that was a good opportunity for me to go home.”
Once the Destroyers signed Probherbs, Bentley was excited about the other skills he saw.
“We brought him in primarily as a defensive player, as a defensive specialist, and through the course of working with him, we realized the other skills that he has,” said Bentley. “He`s a great return guy, but we haven`t had the chance to let him return yet. We also like his ability to catch the football, so now he`s real green as a receiver, but he`s working real hard to learn to play receiver. He`s got some good instructors; he`s got some good players that are helping him, and he`s getting better.”
Week in and week out, Probherbs has continued his stellar play at defensive back, and at the same time, hoping for his chance on offense. He got his chance last Friday when the Destroyers suffered injuries to Mason and Allen. Probherbs was key in the victory over the Houston ThunderBears as he caught one touchdown and ran for another, proving that if he gets the chances, he can be a star on both sides of the ball.
“We`ll keep rolling with him,” said Bentley. “He`s solidified his spot on the team. We`ll use him as a two-way player and evaluate him week to week, but he`s a guy who is athletic and versatile enough that you can use him in a bunch of places, and that can only help him and the football team.”
“He`s young still and learning the game, switching from defense to offense,” said DS Keven Jackson. “He`s a guy that`s hungry and he wants to learn.”
With players such as Probherbs stepping up, the Destroyers have the potential to go all the way.
“I think it`s a very good chance [we’ll make it to the Bowl]. We just have to work on a few things, tighten up a few screws,” said Probherbs. “I think we have a good mix between a young team and a veteran team. Once we get that mix going and that camaraderie together, we`ll be all right. We probably have a good shot at going.”
"Touchdown" Tom Ando is a free lance writer from South Buffalo, NY and has been covering the Arena Football League in one capacity or another since the 2000 season, when he was 17 years old. Tom Currently writes for Sports & Leisure Magazine in Buffalo covering the NLL's Buffalo Bandits and NCAA Division I football. In 2001, Tom was the only writer in the country to cover the Houston "Travelin' " Thunderbears, where he befriended his mentor John F. "Hondo" Hahn.
