af2's Toughest Ronnie Washburn Returns To Carolina Rhinos
July 11, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Carolina Rhinos News Release
GREENVILLE, SC â The League office of arenafootball2 and the Carolina Rhinos have announced the return of offensive / defensive lineman Ronnie Washburn to the team. Washburn played for the Rhinos in both of their previous two seasons, 2000 and 2001, and was the League's Built Ford Tough Player of the Year and earned second-team All-af2 honors last season.
Washburn has spent most of this season playing in the Arena Football League for the Dallas Desperados and the Chicago Rush. He is expected to be in the lineup this Saturday night when the Rhinos visit the Cape Fear Wildcats in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
"Anytime you can get the League's toughest player back, it is definitely a plus" said Rhinos head coach Rod Miller. "With the way Ronnie plays and the AFL experience he brings to the table, it will be good for the team, especially the younger guys. It will be great to have his veteran leadership for the next three games."
"My ideal situation would have been to remain in the AFL, but, because of the tight bond I have with coach Miller, I am happy to come back and help for the rest of the season," said Washburn. "Our goal as a team will be to spoil other team's playoff parties. My goal will be to work on the things I need to work I need to work on to get back to a higher level."
Washburn played college football at Gardner-Webb University before transferring to Livingstone College. He was a two-time All-CIAA selection and was once named all-CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, earned Division II All-American honors and played in "The Snowbowl", the Division II All-Star game.
Washburn caught eight passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns, made 24 solo tackles and 13 assisted tackles, recorded 17 sacks, recovered two fumbles and notched one safety in 21 af2 games with the Rhinos, Charleston Swamp Foxes and Quad City Steamwheelers during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. 19 of his af2 games have been played with the Rhinos for whom he set a franchise record with 15.5 sacks last season. Washburn caught one pass for 14 yards, made one solo tackle, broke up one pass and had one sack in three AFL games with Dallas and Chicago this season.
Saturday's game versus Cape Fear will be the final on the road this season for the Rhinos. It will be broadcast live on 1070 "The Sportszone" WCSZ-AM and at rhinosfootball.com beginning at 7:15 p.m. The Rhinos will return home to host the Charleston Swamp Foxes on Saturday July 20th and the Richmond Speed Saturday July 27th. Both home games will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Rhinos tickets are on sale at the BI-LO Center box office, by calling either 864-233-2525 or 864-576-1550 and on-line at ticketmaster.com.
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