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Law Player Profile - Melvin Phillips

May 11, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Laredo Law News Release


LAREDO, Texas – When you construct an expansion team from scratch, one of the first things you look for is veteran leadership. The Laredo Law was able to take care of that aspect in one swoop this summer when they were assigned wide receiver-defensive back Melvin Phillips.

The 6’6”, 217-pound native of Galveston, Texas has the most football experience on the Law roster. In 1995, Phillips played with the San Antonio Texans of the Canadian Football League. From 1997-98 he was with the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League. He had 26 receptions for 379 yards and six touchdowns in 1998.

Phillips spent the 1999 season with Buffalo and Grand Rapids of the AFL, then played in 2000 with the AFL Oklahoma Wranglers where he set career highs with 30 receptions, 539 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2002 he moved to arenafootball2 with Mohegan and Bakersfield before spending seven games last season with Wichita.

“I brought Melvin in because of his veteran leadership,” said Law head coach Scot Maynard. “He is a pro and he comes to play when it is time to play. Experience is big, especially at his position. He plays the Jack linebacker (the linebacker who drops into pass coverage), and he does it very well.

Phillips, a 1992 graduate of OÂ’Connell High School, was All-State, All-District, and All-Greater Houston for three years. He was also a WhoÂ’s Who All American. He attended Butte Community College in California where he was All-Conference and All-Region in both 1992 and 1993. He then played at Texas A&M-Kingsville, where in 1994 the Javelinas reached the NCAA Division II National Championship game.

“It feels really good to come back to Texas,” said Phillips. “I started playing professionally in Texas, but most of my career has been spent on either the east or west coast. I am glad to be back home.”

Phillips, age 31, continues to play the indoor game despite the bumps and bruises that come with the job.

“I like it because it isn’t cold when we play,” joked Phillips. “Actually I just like playing and hanging out with the guys. I love the game. To me it is like a pickup game when you were little. I am just going out and having fun and talking to the fans.”

That fun translates to the locker room where the joking can become an art form.

“I put baby powder in the helmet of one of the rookies this year,” laughed Phillips. “He doesn’t know who did it, but when he reads this he will.”

Despite the laughing and joking, Phillips takes his role as a team leader seriously.

“I look at it as being a teacher. I am teaching them the parts of the game that they don’t know. What formations tell us what is coming at us. Stuff like that.”

Phillips has two daughters, Courtney age five and Majesty age three.

LAW ON THE RADIO

Catch the Law all season long on 94.9 The New Qure FM. The games will also be video streamed over the internet through www.af2tv.com.

LAW WEEKLY

Law Weekly with head coach Scot Maynard airs every Thursday night at 6 p.m. on Laredo News Talk AM 1490 KLNT.

LAW IN THE COMMUNITY

To schedule the Law for a player appearance contact Nicole Thompson at (956-523-6586) or nthompson@laredobucks.com.

ABOUT THE af2

In four short seasons the af2 has nearly doubled in size from 15 teams to 25. arenafootball2 promotes a fan friendly attitude with autograph sessions on the field for the home team after each game. The af2 and the AFL strictly adhere to a Fans Bill of Rights which is unique to any major sport. The Fans Bill of Rights includes: every fan is entitled to a wholesome environment for guests and family members, free of violence, profane gestures and language or rude and invasive behavior that could in any way interfere with a first-class entertainment experience; every fan demands that we maintain absolute respect for the game of Arena Football and maintain the integrity of the finest of fair competition at all times; every Fan deserves our very best effort on a consistent basis, on every play on the field, every action in the stands, every call to our office, and every involvement in our community.

For ticket information contact the Laredo Law at (956) 726-GAME (4263) or visit www.laredolaw.com.

(956)-726-GAME (4263)

www.laredolaw.com

Laredo Law Football – “A New Brand of Justice”

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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