af2 Green Bay Blizzard

AFL Championship Trophy To Appear At Blizzard Game

Published on July 21, 2006 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release


There is a phrase that is common in professional sports that goes, "The ring's the thing." It means, simply, that everything you do is in pursuit of a championship ring. Every player who has ever donned an Arena Football League jersey and stepped onto the field for the 50-yard indoor war has done so with one goal in mind: earn a championship ring. And the only way to do that is to win the Arena Bowl and hoist the Foster Trophy as champion of the AFL.

Named after Jim Foster, the sport's founder and the driving force behind the perpetually growing sport dubbed "The 5th Major" by ESPN, the Foster Trophy is more than just 100 pounds of silver and hardwood. It is the embodiment of the hard work, sacrifice, determination, perseverance and fight to keep a dream alive that defines the coaches and players in the AFL. Inscribed with the words "Teamwork," "Commitment," "Character," and "Excellence," (see below) the trophy is truly a monument to achievement.

As part of Fan Appreciation Night, the Blizzard is bringing the Foster Trophy to Green Bay so fans can see first-hand the prize that so many strive for, and so few achieve.

This year, a former member of the Green Bay Blizzard reached the pinnacle of success in Arena Football when he became an AFL champion and held high the Foster Trophy. OL/DL Joe Peters, who played for the Blizzard in 2005, joined the Chicago Rush for the 2006 season and was an integral part of the team that stormed through the playoffs en route to a resounding 69-60 victory over the 2-time AFL champion Orlando Predators, who were playing in their 7th Arena Bowl (they won Arena Bowl XII in 1998 and Arena Bowl XIV in 2000).

It was Chicago's first-ever AFL championship, and Peters' contributions to the team earned him the opportunity to raise the Foster Trophy on the field after Arena Bowl XX in Las Vegas. Peters' celebration was broadcast around the world live on NBC, and the image is as lasting as it is telling: the expressions on the faces of the players and coaches reaching to touch the trophy convey their emotions - pride, satisfaction, wonder, and of course, tears of joy.

To commemorate Peters' achievement, the Blizzard has invited him back to Green Bay to serve as Honorary Captain for their season-ending game against the Louisville Fire on Friday, July 28th. He will be honored on the field before the game, and will flip the coin before kickoff.

Peters is the first player in franchise history to win a league championship after moving on from the Blizzard. Numerous other players have gone on to success in the AFL, National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL), but Peters is the first to become a champion.

The Foster Trophy will be on display at the Blizzard vs. Fire game, and it will be available to the media for photos and coach/player comment at Head Coach Bob Landsee's weekly press conference on Wednesday, July 26th from 1:00-1:30pm.

In addition to bringing in the Foster Trophy for "Fan Appreciation Night," the Blizzard is providing free parking for all of their fans, as well as $1 Bud Light, soda and hot dogs all night long. Plus, the first 1,000 adults 21 and older will receive a Brain Noble Talking Key Chain as they enter the arena, courtesy of Oneida Casino.

Tickets for the game are still available, but they are going fast. Groups of 20 or more receive ticket discounts, and they can contact Ticket Director Nick Olsen at (920) 965-8516. Fans interested in individual tickets can contact the Resch Center Ticket Star box office at (920) 494-3401.

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