af2's All-Time Leading Kicker Announces Retirement
March 4, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
Estero, FL- The Florida Firecats announced today that Brandon Kornblue, the Firecats' and af2's all-time leading kicker, is retiring from football after 6 seasons to spend more time with his wife and newborn son.
"It's difficult to put into words how much Brandon has meant to not only the Firecats but to the game of Arena Football," Chris Vallozzi, Firecats President and General Manager said of Kornblue's retirement. "He's been a fixture in our organization for so long, it's going to be strange to look out on the field this year and not see him kicking for us. He will be missed."
Kornblue leaves the game as the af2's career record holder in nearly every kicking category. Thru 116 regular season games he has scored 499 points, attempted 488 PAT's connecting on 373 of them, and attempted 133 Field Goals making 42; all of which stand as af2 records.
"He's a tremendous player on the field and an even better person off the field," said Firecats Head Coach Kevin Bouis. "He had a perfect kicking style for Germain Arena; he had a knack for placing the ball out of play to prevent a return without kicking the ball into the rafters and giving up field position. His af2 numbers clearly say it all."
Joining Florida after the start of the 2001 season, he played in both the Firecats 2002 & 2004 ArenaCup games, successfully kicking 4 field goals (also a league record) in 2004 to help Florida win the championship. In 2005 he was named to the all-af2's 2nd team.
"My family comes first and this is primarily a family decision," Kornblue said of his announcement. "Because of my desire to spend time with my wife and son, and an increasing time commitment to my personal business (kicking camps and lessons), I felt I needed to make this decision at this time. However, I will be staying in close contact with Coach Bouis and Chris throughout the season. I would call it a temporary retirement, with an emphasis on temporary."
Kornblue was also a champion on the collegiate field as a member of the 1997 Michigan Wolverines National Championship team. In 1999 he was awarded with Academic All-Big Ten honors.
While at Boca Raton High School he was honored with the Lou Groza award in 1994, annually recognizing the best kicker in South Florida.
Florida opens the 2007 season at home against the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, Saturday March 31st. 2007 Season tickets are available now! Call (239) 390-CATS (2287) today to reserve your seats!
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