Snyder earns Ironman recognition
June 3, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Firebirds received their second post-season honor when OL/DL Chris Snyder was named to the U.S. Army 2004 All-Ironman Team, as announced today by the Arena Football League office. Snyder, who just finished his sixth season, started all 16 games as a tight end and defensive end for the Firebirds, serving as one of the team’s captains.
Snyder recorded 8.0 total tackles this season to go along with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a recovery. His first sack could be looked at as the point that Indiana got their season turned around to almost make the playoffs. Standing at 0-5 and tied in the first quarter against Austin, Snyder grabbed the first sack for the FirebirdsÂ’ defense all season, stripping WranglersÂ’ QB John Kaleo of the ball in the process. SnyderÂ’s teammate, Bill Duff, pounced on the loose football in the endzone for a crucial momentum changing touchdown. Indiana would go on to claim their first win, 64-41, and followed that by winning five more in a row.
Snyder was a First-Team All-Arena member in 2002 after he recorded career-highs in tackles (19.5), tackles for loss (7.5), sacks (6.5), fumble recoveries (3) and forced fumbles (3). With his half-sack against Carolina on April 11, 2004, Snyder tied Jerome Brown (1994-96) for fourth all-time in franchise history with 16.0 career sacks. Snyder was a late-season addition to the Firebirds during their 1999 ArenaBowl championship run. In that game, then-rookie Snyder would accumulate three tackles and a pass deflection.
Snyder played for Joe Paterno at Penn State University from 1994-97, lettering four years and starting three for the Nittany Lions. He shifted to defensive end from tight end during his career and was fortunate enough to play in four bowl games, winning three of them.
On Tuesday, QB Adrian McPherson was named to the leagueÂ’s All-Rookie Team, the first FirebirdsÂ’ player to receive such an honor since Brett Bech was named as an All-Rookie performer in 2002. DS Cornelius Coe was the franchiseÂ’s first-ever All-Rookie team member in 2001. Previous All-Ironman honorees include WR/DB Evan Hlavacek (2003), FB/LB Rich Young (2003) and OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown (2002).
The U.S. Army Ironman of the Year will be announced on Thursday, June 17, while the next award to be announced will be Kicker of the Year on Monday, June 7. Following is the complete list of the 2004 U.S. Army All-Ironman team:
U.S. ARMY ALL-IRONMAN TEAM
POSITION PLAYER, TEAM
Fulback/Linebacker Dan Curran, New Orleans
Fullback/Linebacker Bob McMillen, Chicago
Offensive/Defensive lineman Wendall Gaines, Arizona
Offensive/Defensive lineman John Moyer, Chicago
Offensive/Defensive lineman Chris Snyder, Indiana
Wide receiver/Linebacker Cory Fleming, Orlando
Wide receiver/Linebacker Kevin McKenzie, Colorado
Wide receiver/Linebacker James Roe, San Jose
Wide receiver/Defensive back Rashied Davis, San Jose
Wide receiver/Defensive back Kevin Ingram, Los Angeles
Wide receiver/Defensive back Will Pettis, Dallas
Wide receiver/Defensive back Sedrick Robinson, Columbus
Wide receiver/Defensive back T.T. Toliver, Tampa Bay
Season tickets for the 2005 season are available now by calling (317) 472-8080 and asking for a FirebirdsÂ’ ticket representative. Firebirds merchandise is available via the teamÂ’s website at www.firebirds.com or at Home Court Gift Shop. For merchandise information, please call 317.917.2755.
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