By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- When his college football career ended in 1979, Joe Verria began chasing the dream of playing at the professional level.
After four seasons of being a defensive lineman at what was then known as Bridgewater State College, Verria spent the next several years in training camps with NFL and United States Football League teams.
He was with the Green Bay Packers in the summer of 1980, the Cincinnati Bengals the following year, the Miami Dolphins in 1982 and the Patriots in 1983.
“It was,’’ said Verria, “a tremendous experience, just a great experience.
“You’re learning things, being coached by different coaches and having the opportunity to play at that level.’’
Verria, a 1981 Bridgewater State graduate, will be the interim head coach of his alma mater after spending the past 28 seasons as an assistant coach.
He was a standout player for coach Pete Mazzaferro and was inducted into the Bridgewater State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001.
When his playing career ended, Verria was invited to the Packers’ camp in ’80 and got to play for head coach Bart Starr, the legendary quarterback, before being released.
Verria recalls the preseason opener that year when the Packers met the San Diego Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, a game that had to be halted because of severe weather conditions.
A year later, Verria was with the Bengals, coached by Forrest Gregg, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, and spent a couple of weeks in 1982 in the Dolphins’ camp.
The news that he was released by Miami was given to Verria in a meeting with coach Don Shula.
Verria’s last NFL training camp was in Foxboro where Ron Meyer was the head coach in 1983. He was released a few weeks into camp after the third preseason game.
“You get kind of close,’’ said Verria. “You’re trying out. They’re telling you that you’re doing a good job. Why not keep plugging away? I kept working out, staying ready.’’
Verria also had several looks in the USFL, which was in existence from 1983-85. He said he was the last player released by the Los Angeles Express and also worked out for the Boston Breakers.
“The whole thing was a tremendous experience,’’ said Verria. “I got to meet good people and it was fun. I got to lay my foundation, I guess you could say.’’