BALTIMORE, MD (November 3, 2009) - The Baltimore Mariners all-time leading receiver and the team's top receiver in 2009, Jamaal Stokes, has agreed to return to the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) squad. The 2010 season will mark Stokes third with the 1st Mariner Arena based team.Baltimore Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson looks forward to his return, "Jamaal is an amazing athlete who is not afraid to battle for the ball as a receiver. I look for Jamaal to come to camp ready to take his game to another level. Once he realizes his potential, he'll be very hard to stop."
A star receiver and safety at Elmore County High School of Eclectic, Alabama, Stokes earned First Team All County honors as a Junior wide receiver in 2001 and in 2002 was named All-County, All-Metro, and All-State as a receiver his Senior season. He also garnered All-County honors as a safety. Stokes then started his college career at Alcorn State of Lorman, Alabama, but transferred to Concordia College of Selma, Alabama to take part in the school's inaugural football season in 2005. Starting for two seasons, Stokes had the honor of catching the school's first reception and also tallied the first 100-yard receiving game in school history.
Stokes made his professional debut with the Montgomery (Alabama) Bears of the AIFA in 2007. In only seven games the Montgomery native pulled in 21 receptions for 231 yards (an 11 yard average) and scored four touchdowns. In 2008 he first appeared with the Mariners and played in seven games. He compiled a high touchdown per reception ratio scoring seven times on 28 receptions totaling 388 yards.
In 2009 Stokes had his first breakout season as a professional. He led the playoff bound Mariners in receptions (71), receiving yards (763), and was third in receiving touchdowns with ten. The 6'1", 185 pound receiver was the model of consistency catching passes in all 14 games and notching a receiving touchdown in eight games. He also leads the Mariners' all-time list with 99 receptions and 1,151 receiving yards.
"This will be my third season with Stokes in a Mariner uniform. Like many others on our team, I have played against him and with him. I look for Stokes to continue his success in 2010 with a strong off-season commitment and come into camp ready to compete and electrify fans like he has for the past two seasons here in Baltimore," said Mariners General Manager Greg Justice.
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