AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Arena Heroes

June 21, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


TONIGHT'S GAME

Toronto Phantoms (4-5) at ORLANDO PREDATORS (4-5), 7:30 P.M. (Sunshine Network) -- With Tampa Bay Bucs head coach and older brother JON GRUDEN watching in the stands, Orlando quarterback JAY GRUDEN has his eyes set on win No. 5 to bring his Predators team back to the .500-mark when they host the AFL's only international team, the Toronto Phantoms, tonight inside TD Waterhouse Centre.

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ARENA HEROES – AFL in the Community

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CAROLINA June 26 – Members of the Cobras team - including fullback/linebacker MARRIO GRIER and kicker BRIAN SCHMITZ -- will visit the Haven House, a home for troubled youth. The Haven House is a place where youth are given an opportunity and guidance to better cope with daily pressures they face and regain a new feeling of self-worth.

CHICAGO
June 25 -- Rush players DAMEON PORTER, TONY BOWICK, JAMIE BOWERS, CORNELIUS WHITE, and CEDRIC WALKER will be at the James Jordan Boys and Girls Club Summer Camp. They will be leading football drills, signing autographs, and participating in a question and answer period with the participants.

June 27 -- The Rush will be holding its second annual National Anthem Contest. The winner will sing the National Anthem at the July 13 regular season home game against the Dallas Desperados. Log onto www.rushfootball.com, for more information.

June 27 -- Rush lineman JAMES BARON will meet with kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Hammond, Ind. This group will attend Chicago's regular season home game against the New York Dragons on June 30 – nationally televised on The New TNN -- courtesy of the team's "Rush Team Zone."

DETROIT
June 22 – When Detroit hosts the Chicago Rush tomorrow, Fury lineman ERIC ENGLAND will have a few extra fans in the stands. England has donated tickets the Boys and Girls Club of Pontiac – one of four community programs during the remainder of the season -- providing children the opportunity to experience an Arena Football game as well as to learn some life lessons England will offer. At the end of the season, he has invited the community group to join him and his Detroit teammates at a pizza party.

June 24 – Fury defensive specialist KEVIN SCOTT begins weekly visits to the Whitmer Human Resource Center in Pontiac, Mich., the only location where all kids in the area are bussed to for their summer school program. Scott will mentor, speak and educate kids on the importance of staying in school and working hard at their studies.

INDIANA
June 24 -- The Firebirds plan to take part in a Summer Camp for Children with Dyslexia/ Language Disabilities. CHRIS SNYDER, MARK VALVO, and JOHN SIKORA will be there to talk with youngsters, helping to build self-esteem and confidence. The Firebirds dance team – the Fabulous Flames – and team mascot SPIKE will also be attending to help the children.

June 24 -- Indiana kicker NELSON GARNER will be speaking to 75 kids at Mt. Pleasant Church about living a strong and healthy lifestyle.

June 25 -- The Fabulous Flames will be attending Thatcher Summer Camp. They will perform a dance routine, as well as speaking to the children and signing autographs.

June 26 – At "Concert on the Circle with 93.1 FM," Spike and the ‘Birds Brigade' will attend the concert and pass out Firebirds giveaways.

June 26 -- DEJUAN ALFONZO, JAY JOHNSON, CORNELIUS COE, RAYMOND PHILYAW, and VAN JOHNSON will attend the Indiana Pacers NBA Draft Party at the Fox and the Hound. The players will be there to mingle and sign autographs with sports fans.

June 28 -- The Indiana Firebirds and Forest Manor Multi-Service Center are sponsoring the "Get Ready" Boys Conference. This daylong event educates boys about the importance of a drug-free atmosphere, staying in school and living a strong and healthy lifestyle. Firebirds players will help run the conference, speak to the youngsters, and help to guide them in a positive direction for life. LEROY THOMPSON heads up the conference, MIKE GANTOUS, RICKY HALL, and KYLE MOORE-BROWN will also assist.

NEW JERSEY
June 21 – Gladiators kicker STEVE VIDETICH will visit Lincoln Elementary School's end of the year "Field Day."

June 24 -- Parsippany Hilton in Parsippany, N.J. - Members of the Gladiators staff and team mascot GLADIUS will attend the benefit dinner for the organization's volunteers.

ORLANDO
June 20 -- In a season-long promotion, the Predators are donating $25 for every touchdown scored at home this season to the Edgewood Children's Ranch. In Orlando's last contest at TD Waterhouse Centre, June 9 against Tampa Bay, the Predators scored six touchdowns, upping the season total to 30 at home and bringing the total to $750 for the season.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 21, 2002


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