AFL Announces Weekly Awards
Published on June 18, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Los Angeles Avengers WR/LB GREG HOPKINS, Buffalo Destroyers DS DWAINE CARPENTER, and Georgia Force WR/LB DARRYL HAMMOND have been named the Arena Football League's Offensive Player, "ADT" Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for their performances during Week Nine of the 2002 season.
Hopkins (6-2, 205, Slippery Rock), a six-year AFL veteran, led his Avengers (5-4) by hauling in a season-high 13 receptions for 162 yards and five touchdowns in their 68-61 victory over the defending champion, Grand Rapids Rampage. This is the third time this season that the former All-Arena performer has earned a league weekly honor (Ironman of the Week for Weeks Three and Seven). Hopkins is currently tied for second the AFL in receptions (71) and is second in receiving yards with 878. The Ironman of the Year candidate is on pace to become the Avengers' first-ever player to catch 100 passes in a single season (111).
Carpenter (6-2, 190, North Carolina A&T), who is in his rookie season, earned the weekly award by recording 10 solo tackles, an assist, an interception, and three pass break-ups to help lead the Destroyers (5-4) to a 55-27 victory over the Toronto Phantoms. The Rookie of the Year candidate is currently second on the Destroyers in tackles (41.0) and interceptions (2), while he is tied for the team lead in pass break-ups (10). This award marks the first time that Carpenter has garnered league-wide weekly recognition in his career.
Hammond (6-3, 220, Virginia), an 11-year AFL veteran, scored three touchdowns in a 17-second span (one receiving, one interception and one net recovery). The former Cavalier had four touchdowns on the night to helped Georgia earn a 53-42 victory over the Carolina Cobras, and a share of the Southern Division lead. The former All-Arena selection finished the game with four receptions for 18 yards and two receiving touchdowns. On defense, Hammond recorded five tackles, made one interception for 11 yards, and registered one pass break-up. For his efforts, he was selected MVP and Ironman of the Game. This is the third time that Hammond has earned league-wide weekly recognition in his career.
Other candidates for Offensive Player of the Week included: Carolina's Cory Fleming, Chicago's Antonio Chatman, Dallas' Andy Kelly, Jason Wells, and Shannon Culver, Detroit's Chuck Winters, Grand Rapids' Clint Dolezel and Gary Compton, Indiana's Raymond Philyaw, New Jersey's Jay McDonagh, Orlando' s Siaha Burley and Jay Gruden, and San Jose's Mark Grieb.
Other candidates for "ADT" Defensive Player of the Week included: Arizona's Cecil Doggette, Buffalo's Hardy Mitchell, Chicago's Dameon Porter, Dallas' Lamar Grant, Georgia's Darryl Hammond, and San Jose's Omar Smith.
Other candidates for Ironman of the Week included: Buffalo's Carlos James, Dallas' Adrian Lunsford, Indiana's Leroy Thompson, Los Angeles' Chad Dukes and Greg Hopkins, Orlando's B.J. Cohen, San Jose's Omar Smith, Clevan Thomas, and Barry Wagner, and Tampa Bay's David Saunders.
PREVIOUS WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Week, Offensive, "ADT" Defensive, Ironman
Week 1, Chris Jackson (Los Angeles), Ron Carpenter (Georgia), Gary Compton (Indiana)
Week 2, Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona), Bob McMillen (San Jose), Mike Furrey (New York)
Week 3, Lamont Cooper (Buffalo), Andre Bowden (Carolina), Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles)
Week 4, Chris Horn (Arizona), Sam Hernandez (San Jose), Lawrence Samuels (Tampa Bay)
Week 5, Sedrick Robinson (New Jersey), Chris Snyder (Indiana), Mike Furrey (New York)
Week 6, Chris Jackson (Los Angeles), Donvetis Franklin (New York), Chad Dukes (Los Angeles)
Week 7, Clint Dolezel (Grand Rapids), Hassan Shamsid-Deen (Dallas), Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles)
Week 8, Andy Kelly (Dallas), Hassan Shamsid-Deen (Dallas), Barry Wagner (San Jose)
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"BUILT FORD TOUGH" WINNERS
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Orlando coaches selected K NICK GATTO as one of last week's "Built Ford Tough" Players of the Game. The "Built Ford Tough" Award is a national recognition award given after every game to the player or players on each team best demonstrating determination and toughness in that game. The award honors the players who made a game-saving tackle or score-saving tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on either side of the ball. NICK GATTO, who was born with a birth defect that left him with no arm below his right elbow, helped lead the Predators past the Dragons last week (52-33). The first player in league history to play without a limb, Gatto had three special teams tackles all on STEVE PAPIN, possibly saving two touchdowns on kickoffs. He also connected on both of his field goal attempts (24, 26) and sailed 4-of-7 PAT attempts through the uprights. Up to five players who display the "get-it-done" kind of attitude are honored by each team every week. A point system is maintained on the league's official site, www.arenafootball.com, throughout the season that will culminate in the "Built Ford Tough" Man of the Year, a player who will win a Ford Truck at the end of the season. This week's winners, by team:
WEEK NINE TEAM-BY-TEAM WINNERS
Arizona: Chris Horn, Hunkie Cooper, Cecil Doggette
Buffalo: John Motton, Dwaine Carpenter, Hardy Mitchell, Jerry Crafts
Carolina: Cory Fleming, Aaron Sparrow, Clarence Lawson, Kevin Gaines
Chicago: Antonio Chatman, Dameon Porter
Dallas: Patrise Alexander
Detroit: Kelvin Kinney, Chuck Winters, Chris Polinder, Chuck Levy, Ty Grovesteen
Georgia: Dan Curran, Cliff Green, Jermaine Smith
Grand Rapids: Willis Marshall, Gary Compton
Indiana: Shawn Foreman, Kyle Moore-Brown Hugh Hunter, Leroy Thompson
Los Angeles: Chad Dukes, Greg Hopkins, Tony Plantin, Mark Ricks, J.J. Washington
New Jersey: Mike Horacek, Jay McDonagh, Jeroid Johnson
New York: Marcus Owen, Donvetis Franklin, Mike Furrey, Jason Maxwell, Todd Doxzon, Carl Sacco
Orlando: Nick Gatto, Duke Pettijohn, Ernest Allen, Tommy Dorsey
San Jose: Omarr Smith, Barry Wagner, James Hundon, Mark Grieb, Clevan Thomas
Tampa Bay: NOT REPORTED
Toronto: Kahlil Carter, Charlie Davidson, Damian Harrell, Phil Glover, Craig Moore
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ARENAFOOTBALL.COM WEB POLL RESULTS
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Q: WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE FRONT-RUNNER FOR THE AFL'S 2002 IRONMAN OF THE YEAR?
* CHRIS HORN (Arizona Rattlers) - 57%
* BARRY WAGNER (San Jose SaberCats) - 22%
* GREG HOPKINS (Los Angeles Avengers) - 7%
* DAMEON PORTER (Chicago Rush) - 7%
* MIKE FURREY (New York Dragons) - 4%
* R-KAL TRULUCK (Detroit Fury) - 3%
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 18, 2002
- Greg Hopkins honored as AFL "Offensive Player of the Week" - Los Angeles Avengers
- Weibel Rewrites Records - AFL I
- Rush Extends Contracts of Assistant Coaches - Chicago Rush
- AFL Announces Weekly Awards - AFL I
- Carpenter Named ADT Defensive Player of the Week - Buffalo Destroyers
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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