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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

All-Time Great Barry Wagner Officially Retires

June 4, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


Orlando - BARRY WAGNER, unanimously regarded as one of the greatest players in AFL history, officially announced his retirement on Tuesday. Wagner holds numerous AFL career records, won three championships with two teams, and won Ironman of the Year an unprecedented six consecutive seasons during his 16-year career.

A reflective Wagner said, "I thank God for blessing me with the ability to play as long as I did. I have so many people to thank but I want to single out Perry Moss for giving me my first opportunity and John Fry for helping my career go even further. And I want to thank the Arena Football League for providing me with the opportunity to showcase my abilities."

Wagner's multiple talents are personified in the legendary "Miracle Minute." While with Orlando in 1992 in a game against the Detroit Drive, in the last 40 seconds of the game, Wagner scored two touchdowns, recovered an on-sides kick, scored the game-winning two-point conversion with 11 seconds left and intercepted Detroit's last-second pass as Orlando won 50-49 against the defending ArenaBowl champions.

Although Wagner said there are "too many memories to choose one favorite" he did say that the Miracle Minute, scoring the fastest two touchdowns in history as a rookie, and winning his first ArenaBowl with Orlando in 1998 immediately come to mind.

"Barry Wagner is the epitome of what the Arena Football League stands for," said Commissioner DAVID BAKER. "He was equally adept on offense, defense and special teams - Barry is a true Ironman. As spectacular as Barry was on the field, I remember him most for his laughter and love of the fans. He consistently demonstrated the utmost character and always exhibited the highest respect for the game of Arena Football. I am confident that Barry's success will continue in the future and that he will forever be a great ambassador for our game"

The Orlando Predators, one of Wagner's former teams (San Jose was the other), will honor him during halftime of the team's game against the New Orleans VooDoo on June 13 at 7:30 p.m. Wagner will be inducted into the Predators Ring of Honor which includes PERRY MOSS, HERKIE WALLS, PAUL MCGOWAN, FRAN PAPASEDERO, BEN BENNETT, and DURWOOD ROQUEMORE

"Anybody who played with or against Barry knows he was the best player to ever suit up in this league," said Predators head coach JAY GRUDEN, who also played against Wagner as quarterback of the Tampa Bay Storm. "It was always fun to watch him play. It wasn't fun throwing him interceptions and watching him score, but he was just a phenomenal player."



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 4, 2008


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