Avengers remember 'Big Luke'
April 12, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
CULVER CITY, Calif. -- When 26-year-old Al Lucas passed away on Sunday, the Los Angeles Avengers did not just lose a player, they lost a brother.
While nothing could prepare the team for the news that broke following the game, players and coaches did their best to cope with the tragedy on Monday, reflecting on the man who they simply called "Big Luke."
"Al loved football more than anything, but bottom line, he was a great person," Avenger WR/DB Brian Sump said. "Anytime you needed a person to talk to, Al was there."
After a team meeting in which head coach Ed Hodgkiss, owner Casey Wasserman and AFL Commissioner David Baker spoke, the team listened to grief counselor Hope Morrow. Afterwards, players and coaches alike continued to deal with the tragedy in their own ways.
"This is a time for reflection," assistant head coach and director of player personnel Brent Winter said. "We are all trying to deal with this the best we can, and in our own different ways. But, it's really hard right now. We lost a brother."
The Avenger teammates got together for a barbeque on Sunday night after they defeated the New York Dragons, 66-35, at STAPLES Center. They talked about their memories of Lucas and about the incident that took their friend's life.
"There were a lot of handshakes, hugging and tears," Sump said. "We got a lot out in the open. No one was worried about their egos and just let it all out. Everyone was willing to come together and it has brought us all closer."
Lucas, who signed a free agent contract with the Avengers on Oct. 27, 2003, was known amongst players and coaches not only for his passion and dedication to the game of football, but for his good-natured, fun-loving character.
"Al would talk about football for 14 out of the 15 minutes you talked to him, but he also loved to joke around with us," Sump said. "That is something I will miss most."
Added teammate Greg Hopkins: "If there was someone you could poke fun at, who was a good-natured guy and got a chuckle out of it, it was Al."
Before joining the Arena Football League, Lucas played in 20 games for the Carolina Panthers over the course of the 2000 and 2001 NFL seasons, totaling 49.5 tackles, two batted down passes, a forced fumble and a sack. After being selected by the Frankfurt Galaxy with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NFL Europe free agent draft, Lucas chose instead to sign with the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm, a team he later won a championship with in 2003. Last season Lucas led all Avengers linemen with 18.5 tackles.
"He was the ultimate pro," Avenger offensive/defensive line coach Bill Dobson said. "He was the first guy in to watch the tape, and was a great student of the game. Most people only recognize how great he was on the field and don't recognize how hard he prepared mentally."
But despite Lucas' football accolades, Dobson said he will always remember him for his playful and joking manner.
"In Orlando, last weekend, it was my birthday (April 1), and after the walk-through all the âbigs' (linemen) got together," Dobson said. "They were going over a plan to get an ice water bucket and get me with it ... and I knew something up. Al had this aura about being this big tough guy, but he was a real softy at heart. And I saw him and he had that look like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar like âI'm doing something I know I'm not supposed to be.'
"He was a guy everyone liked to be around," Dobson added. "He enjoyed life. I am a better person for having known him."
Like Dobson, Avenger quarterback John Kaleo shared a special bond with Lucas. He was a teammate of Lucas' for one season while they were both playing for the Tampa Bay Storm, during their 2003 ArenaBowl championship season.
"I know how important football was to Al," Kaleo said. "The big fella was always easy to follow."
Football was more than just a game to Lucas, and he died doing what he loved, with those he cared so much about. In a recent interview with laavengers.com, Lucas said the team's strength came from how close everyone was with each other.
"Our chemistry is our best strength this season," Lucas said. "The team has really come together and we are a very tight-knit group."
The team has dedicated the rest of the season in Al's memory in hopes that they can bring him another championship.
"We are going to play in his memory and with his heart, and go out and get another championship for him," Kaleo said.
Lucas, who is from Macon, Ga., is survived by his wife, De'Shonda, and their one-year-old daughter, Mariah.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 12, 2005
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Bonner named ADT Defensive Player of the Week - Las Vegas Gladiators
- New Orleans VooDoo game notes - New Orleans VooDoo
- Force's Jackson named U.S. Army Ironman of the Week - Georgia Force
- Philyaw named AFL Offensive Player of the Week - Chicago Rush
- AFL names players of the week - AFL I
- Tampa Bay Storm game notes - Tampa Bay Storm
- Orlando Predators game notes - Orlando Predators
- Avengers remember 'Big Luke' - Los Angeles Avengers
- Georgia Force game notes - Georgia Force
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
