Avengers sign defensive specialist Mark Estelle
December 24, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Mark Estelle, a local player with tremendous cover skills, has signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Estelle (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) will compete for a spot as a defensive specialist when training camp opens on Jan. 3.
Estelle played in three different leagues in 2005. Most recently, he was with the Baltimore Ravens, who signed him on July 29. Estelle played in four preseason games for the Ravens at cornerback, but was waived just prior to the start of the regular season. After leaving Baltimore, he was invited to workouts by the Houston Texans and New York Jets.
Prior to joining the Ravens, Estelle played in one game for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Earlier in 2005, in an attempt to stay in game shape, he played in two semi-pro games for the Inglewood Blackhawks. Ironically, one of the Blackhawk games Estelle played in was a special indoor exhibition contest at STAPLES Center following an Avenger game on April 23.
"I'm happy to be home," said Estelle, who is a native Angeleno. "There's no better situation for me than playing in front of my hometown friends and family. Prior to this, I always ended up on the East Coast. I'm happy to be back on the West Coast and playing Arena Football. It's pretty much all passing in the AFL and that goes with my game. I'll be able to shine."
At Utah State University (Logan, Utah), Estelle played in 32 games, starting 24 of them at cornerback. He finished his three-year Aggie career with 99 tackles, 19 pass breakups and four interceptions. After his senior season in 2003, Estelle was named Utah State's "Defensive M.V.P." He was selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference first team following his junior season.
Before transferring to Utah State, Estelle was a first team All-State JUCO selection at Los Angeles Southwest College as a freshman in 2000. After intercepting five passes and blocking five punts, he was unanimously voted to the All-Western State Conference team and named the Cougars' "Defensive Player of the Year." He also competed in track & field for L.A. Southwest.
Born on July 29, 1981, in Los Angeles, Estelle attended Carson (Calif.) High School, where he was a standout on the football, baseball and track & field teams. He was an All-Conference performer as a cornerback in football and won the L.A. City long jump championship. Estelle, who has a 1-year-old son named Mark II, still resides in Carson.
The Avengers will kick off their seventh season in the 20-year-old AFL at STAPLES Center on Sunday, Jan. 29, versus the Arizona Rattlers. Nine-game season ticket packages are on sale now. Please call 1-888-AVENGERS for more information or visit the team's official Website at www.laavengers.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from December 24, 2005
- Avengers sign defensive specialist Mark Estelle - Los Angeles Avengers
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