VERMILLION, S.D. - Former South Dakota Coyotes linebacker Josh Stamer has signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League.

Stamer, who graduated in May 2001 from USD with a master of professional accountancy degree, was a starting linebacker for the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFL Europe league during this summer. Stamer made 26 tackles, including 17 solo stops for Amsterdam in nine games.

The New York Giants, who released him earlier this summer, originally signed Stamer in spring 2001.

The Seattle Seahawks, led by head coach Mike Holmgren, had a 9-7 record and finished in second place in the AFC West in 2001.

The Seahawks opened preseason camp on July 27 in Cheney, Wash. Seattle will open the 2002 preseason against Indianapolis on August 10 at Seahawks Stadium. The Seahawks will also play at San Diego, Friday, August 16; before returning home for a game with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, August 24. They close the preseason schedule at Denver for Thursday, August 29 matchup with the Broncos. Seattle opens the regular season on the road on Sunday, Sept. 8 against the Oakland Raiders.

Stamer, originally of Sutherland, Iowa, had a stellar career with the Coyote football program. Stamer was named an honorable mention all-American by the Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette, a Daktronics all-Midwest Region second team pick, second team all-NCC selection, and for the second straight year, a first-team academic all-NCC pick in 2000. Stamer had 72 tackles, including 45 unassisted stops during the 2000 season. He led the NCC and finished in the top-20 nationally in tackles for loss (TFL) with 21 and he recorded six quarterback sacks that was fourth in the NCC. Stamer had five defensive pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

In his career, the senior captain recorded 90 unassisted tackles, 52 assisted tackles for 152 total tackles. He had 36 tackles for loss (-137) and 15.5 quarterback sacks with three fumble recoveries and three interceptions.