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Sioux City Bandits

Sioux City Bandits Announce Four More Player Signings as Team Prepares for Season Opener

March 22, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Sioux City Bandits News Release


The Sioux City Bandits of the National Indoor Football League today announce the signing of the final group of players that have made the 2004 Bandits Team. The Bandits open the season Friday night March 26 at the Tyson Event Center against I-29 rival the Sioux Falls Storm.

Donte Gamble (Cornerback-5’ 8” 175 lbs) Graduate of San Diego State University where he played in 2000 & 2001. Started 6 games for the Aztecs in 2000 before a knee injury slowed his season, finished with 28 total tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. In 2002 he attended the Calgary Stampeders Camp and was signed by the Ottawa Renegades in 2003. Gamble has also played Indoor Football with the Peoria Pirates in Arena 2. Donte is native of Compton, CA where he played at Centennial High School. He also played two years of Junior College at El Camino JC in Torrance, CA.

Chris Eggleston (Offensive/Defensive Line-6’ 3” 285 lbs) Eggleston was signed after the Coaching Staff saw him at the Las Vegas Gladiators Tryout Camp in December. Chris has played for a few Arena 2 teams in the past, and has been to a couple Arena League Camps.

Robert Bailey (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner-5’ 10” 190 lbs) Bailey has a wealth of experience in Indoor Football. In 2001 he played for the NIFL Louisiana Rangers where he scored 22 TD’s, led the team in receiving and was a 1st Team All-Star. 2002 he played for the Winston Salem Energy in the NIFL, he had 105 receptions for 1,142 yards and 35 TD’s and was named to the All-Star First Team. In 2003 Bailey played 3 games for the AF2 Green Bay Blizzard and also for the NIFL Myrtle Beach Stingrays where he scored 10 TD’s in 7 games. In 2004 he went to Training Camp with the Arena League Dallas Desparados but was released during camp. Bailey has played for current Bandits Offensive Coordinator Ervin Bryson in Winston Salem, quoting Bryson, “Robert is a game breaker with his speed. He runs precise pass routes and finds a way to get open. He has run a 4.2 40 yard dash time and will be a big fan favorite for the Bandits.” Bailey is a native of Tampa, FL.

Oscar Davenport (Quarterback-6’ 4” 210 lbs) Davenport has Indoor Football experience having played in 2002 for Winston Salem and 2003 for Myrtle Beach both in the NIFL. In 1999 Oscar graduated from the University of North Carolina and was ranked in the top ten quarterbacks for the NFL Draft with Duante Culpepper and Donovan McNabb at the top of the list. While at North Carolina, Davenport in his sophmore season was named MVP of the 1997 Gator Bowl, a victory for the Tar Heals over West Virginia. He started numerous games for the Heals over his three seasons, his senior year was cut short due to injury.

Oscar also played for Coach Bryson in Winston Salem where he threw for 38 TD’s and ran for 6 more. Quoting Bryson, “Oscar is a talented player that I am thrilled to get here in Sioux City to play for Art. He took last year off, but has looked like he hasn’t missed a beat in Training Camp. He put up some great numbers for me in Winston and we look for him to do the same here for the Bandits. Any time you can get a player with Division One experience it makes you that much better.”

The Bandits open the season March 26 at the Tyson Event Center/Gateway Arena against the Sioux Falls Storm, kickoff at 7:05. Then go on the road April 3 to play the Omaha Beef. Tickets are available at the Tyson Event Center Box Office.

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