AFL Tabs Players of the Month
Published on May 23, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Chicago Rush offensive specialist ANTONIO CHATMAN highlights a list of five May Players of the Month. Chatman captured Offensive Player of the Month recognition for guiding the Rush to its third postseason appearance in as many seasons. The Rush defeated the Indiana Firebirds 46-43 in overtime in the final week of the season behind Chatman's 400-yard all-purpose performance.
The list of April winners include:
OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Antonio Chatman, OS, Chicago Rush
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Clevan Thomas, DS/KR, San Jose SaberCats
IRONMAN: Randy Gatewood, WR/LB, Arizona Rattlers
ROOKIE: Chris Anthony, WR/LB, New York Dragons
KICKER: Nick Gatto, K, Detroit Fury
OFFENSIVE PLAYER ON THE MONTH
Chatman (5-9, 185, Cincinnati), in his second AFL season, earned Offensive Player of the Month by leading the Rush (8-8) to a 2-1 record in May, including a 46-43 playoff-clinching overtime victory over the Indiana Firebirds in the final week of the regular season. The Second-Team All-Arena performer hauled in 30 receptions for 408 yards and five touchdowns for the month. The Offensive Player of the Year candidate tallied 369 return yards with two kickoff return touchdowns and 825 all-purpose yards. Chatman earned MVP of the Game honors in two of the Rush's three games in May. The Rush will travel to play the New York Dragons in the Wild Card round this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. This marks the first time Chatman has earned an AFL monthly honor.
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Thomas (5-10, 195, Florida State), who is in his second AFL season, set the AFL record for interceptions in a single-season (13) while helping the SaberCats (12-4) finish 3-0 for the month of May. The First-Team All-Arena selection and Defensive Player of the Year candidate recorded 9.0 total tackles, three interceptions, eight pass breakups and one forced fumble. The SaberCats earned the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, which gives them an opening-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. This marks the third time that Thomas has earned an AFL monthly honor.
IRONMAN OF THE MONTH
Gatewood (6-0, 185, UNLV), who is in his eighth AFL season, led Arizona (10-6) on both sides of the ball during in May. The First-Team All-Arena and All-Ironman selection hauled in 21 receptions for 233 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 6.5 total tackles and an interception during a month that the Rattlers finished 2-1. The Rattlers, who won six of their last seven games, will host the Las Vegas Gladiators during the Wild Card round this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. This marks the first time Gatewood has earned a monthly honor.
ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Anthony (6-3, 200, Iowa State) led the Dragons (8-8) from the wide receiver/linebacker position during the month of May. The former Cyclone had 17 receptions for 228 yards and five touchdowns. While on defense, he added 5.0 total tackles and two interceptions as the Dragons finished 3-0 in May and captured the Eastern Division title. The Dragons will host the Chicago Rush (8-8) in the Wild Card round this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. This marks the first time that Anthony has earned an AFL monthly award.
KICKER OF THE MONTH
Gatto (5-11, 185, Arkansas State), who is in his second AFL season, earned Kicker of the Month for connecting on 20-of-22 on PATs and 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts for the Fury (8-8) who will play the Grand Rapids Rampage (8-8) in the Wild Card round of the playoffs this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. His long kick for the month was 28 yards and he scored 26 points in three games. This marks the first time that Gatto has earned an AFL monthly honor.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 23, 2003
- AFL Wild Card Injury Report - AFL I
- AFL Tabs Players of the Month - AFL I
- Fury Kicker Nick Gatto Named AFL's Kicker of the Month - Detroit Fury
- Head-to-head Black & Blue made for an instant rivalry in Week 15, to reignite in the playoffs - Georgia Force
- Chatman Named Offensive Player of the Month - Chicago Rush
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