af2 players continue to advance

by af2 Press Release
Published on January 17, 2001 under arenafootball2 (af2)

af2 Press Release

59 af2 Players Jump to the AFL

CHICAGO (January 16, 2001) - Since the culmination of its first season in August, the arenafootball2 League has served as a viable launching pad for 68 former af2 players who have since been signed to other professional team rosters, including 59 who will compete for positions in the Arena Football League (AFL), announced af2 Executive Director Mary Ellen Garling.

"Having so many players take their talents to the next level is a testament to the quality of player that our coaches and personnel directors are recruiting from top-notch colleges and developing in af2," said Garling. "af2 is a league of opportunity and a training ground for players to continue their dream of playing professional football."

The af2 League is the AFL's regional Triple-A system for development of professional football at grass roots levels. There is, however, no such "farm system" designation that af2 teams must provide players to AFL teams.

Of the 17-percent of players on af2 rosters in 2000 signed by AFL teams, 17 were members of the "all-af2" first and second teams. The Nashville Kats were the first AFL team to ink an af2 player, signing former Tennessee Valley Vipers WR/DB Bobby Washington on October 4. In addition, af2's Offensive Player of the Year QB Aaron Sparrow (Augusta Stallions) signed with the Buffalo Destroyers; Defensive Player of the Year DS Cornelius Coe (Quad City Steamwheelers) was signed by the Indiana Firebirds; and Ironman of the Year WR/DB Xavier Patterson (Quad City), signed with the New Jersey Red Dogs.

The Augusta (Ga.) Stallions launched the most players to the AFL with nine; followed by Tennessee Valley, Tulsa, Norfolk, and ArenaCup champion Quad City each losing six players to the AFL.

In addition to the 59 players heading to AFL training camps, six former af2 players were either signed by or invited to NFL training camps including Jacksonville Tomcats' kicker Jim Tarle, who became the only af2 player to receive playing time as kickoff specialist for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Three former af2 players have also made the leap to the CFL, including former Steamwheelers quarterback Billy Dicken who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and is now a member of the AFL's Chicago Rush.

arenafootball2 Stories from January 17, 2001

• af2 players continue to advance - OSC Original by af2 Press Release

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.