AFL Q&A: Colorado OS Damian Harrell
Published on June 10, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Colorado OS DAMIAN HARRELL and the No. 5-seeded Crush (12-5) continue their Drive to ArenaBowl XVIII this Sunday on NBC at 3 p.m. ET when they face the top-seeded Arizona Rattlers (12-5) in the Semifinal Round of the playoffs at America West Arena in Phoenix, Ariz.
Harrell (6-3, 200, Florida State) and the Crush advanced to the semifinals with a 47-44 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo (11-6). The former Seminole recorded 10 receptions for 134 yards and three touchdowns in the teams' first-ever meeting.
Harrell, now in his sixth AFL season, excelled during the regular season, guiding the Crush to their first-ever playoff berth. The Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Year contender finished as the No. 3 scorer in the league with 258 points and played in all 16 games for Colorado this season. He ranked among the top five in touchdown receptions (third with 43), receiving yards (third with 1,715) and receptions (fifth with 114). Harrell reached 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth straight season.
Harrell, who was named to the 2004 All-Arena Second Team last week, has recorded a touchdown reception in all 31 games as a member of the Crush. Harrell, 28, is currently on the second-longest streak of consecutive games with a touchdown reception with 33, dating back to 2002 with the Toronto Phantoms (Indiana/Albany Firebirds OS EDDIE BROWN holds the record with 41.)
A native of Miami, Fla., Harrell attended South Miami Senior High.
Q: During your career at Florida State, the Seminoles went to four college Bowl games. What was that experience like for you?
A: It was a childhood dream - to go to a major university and compete at the highest level. Like a dream come true, to reach one of my goals so early in life and in my football career.
Q: How does the AFL compare/differ from 100-yard football?
A: Everything is so much quicker. It's still football; it's just so much quicker and faster paced.
Q: Are your children and family fans of Arena Football?
A: Yes, they are big fans. They come to every game, and they make sure that I'm tough enough to go out and compete each and every game every week.
Q: What is your pregame ritual?
A: I like to put on my headphones, sit back and visualize what I'm going to be doing over the course of the game.
Q: You wear a picture of you and your brother who died last season, under your jersey for every game. How does that help you during the game?
A: It's been really inspirational for me. Whenever I'm tired or just not focusing and I'm out of it, all I have to do is look at that shirt. It reminds me of why I'm here, why we're trying to get this ArenaBowl.
Q: What makes you a good teammate?
A: You might be better off asking one of my teammates. I don't complain about anything on the field. I try to make everything happen. I'm just a team player.
Q: What is your favorite moment from your AFL career to date?
A: Probably in New Orleans last week, beating the VooDoo, (being) on the road and getting that win. They were 7-1 at home. It doesn't get any bigger than that, except for ArenaBowl.
Q: Who is the toughest AFL player you've faced in your career?
A: There are a lot of great guys, I really couldn't pick just one. I love the match-up of San Jose SaberCats DS CLEVAN (THOMAS) and me whenever I get a chance to play against him. We're good friends off the field. He is one of the best, if not the best, defensive specialists.
Q: With last weekend's win at New Orleans, you now face the two-time ArenaBowl champion Arizona Rattlers. What is the team's attitude going into this Saturday's game?
A: We feel good. We beat them earlier in the season (Week 8, 54-46 at Colorado), but we were their last loss. We just want to go out and execute. No one else thinks we have a chance of winning, but we feel real good.
Q: How does it feel to be one game away from playing in ArenaBowl XVIII?
A: That would definitely be a dream come true. It seemed like it would be awhile before I had a chance to get there. Going for the season right here, it would be the ultimate dream. We're so close right now.
Q: If the Crush advance to ArenaBowl XVIII, what team would you like to meet you there?
A: I'm the type of person where if you beat us during the year, I want to get you back. I would definitely want to face San Jose (55-35 loss in Week 6), so we could get our revenge on those guys.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 10, 2004
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- Quick hitters: semifinals - AFL I
- San Jose fined $20,000 for operations violations - AFL I
- New Orleans' Mike Neu named Coach of the Year - AFL I
- John Elway, Danny White Q&A - AFL I
- New Orleans VooDoo Coach Mike Neu named Arena Football League's Coach of the Year - New Orleans VooDoo
- SaberCats announce All-Decade Team - San Jose SaberCats
- AFL Q&A: Colorado OS Damian Harrell - AFL I
- Ron Jaworski to chat live on USAToday.com this Friday - AFL I
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