Avengers sign pair of NFL Europe veterans
Published on November 7, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Walter Bernard and Reggie Rhodes, a pair of NFL Europe veterans, have signed multi-year contracts with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Bernard, who also played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, signed a two-year deal and will be a defensive specialist for the Avengers. Rhodes, who inked a three-year deal, will be an offensive/defensive lineman. Both players will be Arena Football League rookies when the league opens its 20th season in January.
"Walter Bernard and Reggie Rhodes are both tremendous additions to our roster," said Hodgkiss, who has guided the Avengers into the playoffs in each of his previous four seasons at the helm. "We really like Walter's size and he also has good cover skills. He'll be able to match up against some of the bigger receivers that you see nowadays in Arena Football.
"We saw Reggie at the Miami Dolphins' training camp this summer and liked him," Hodgkiss added. "Then, we were able to get him out here for a workout and he impressed us once again. We think he can come in and help us as a pass rusher and be a good offensive lineman as well."
Bernard (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) signed with the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 13, 2002, and made his NFL debut two days later versus the Atlanta Falcons.
His NFL career began on May 16, 2001, when he was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent. After Bernard was released by the Chargers prior to the start of the 2001 regular season, he was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts and allocated to the Frankfurt Galaxy for the 2002 NFL Europe season. He finished with 15 tackles (five on special teams), three pass breakups and one interception.
Bernard started 32 games at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, N.M.). As a senior in 2000, he finished with 40 tackles, 11 pass breakups and a team-high three interceptions. Bernard finished his Lobo career with six interceptions.
Born on May 3, 1978, Bernard attended Rancho Buena Vista High School (San Diego, Calif.), where he participated on the football, basketball and track & field teams.
Rhodes (6-4, 300) began his NFL career when he signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 10, 2004, and was allocated to the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe. His second season in NFL Europe was with the Berlin Thunder, who selected Rhodes in the eighth round of the 2005 NFL Europe free agent draft.
Upon returning from Berlin, he signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins on June 22, 2005. Rhodes played for the Dolphins during the preseason before being waived on Sept. 4, 2005.
Rhodes was a two-time All-Gulf South Conference selection at Valdosta (Geo.) State University. He had 54 tackles, including seven quarterback sacks, and two forced fumbles as a senior in 2002. Prior to joining the Blazers, Rhodes was a junior college All-America selection at Georgia Military College (Milledgeville, Geo.).
Born on Aug. 29, 1980, Rhodes attended Baldwin County High School (Milledgeville, Geo.), where he was an All-5A Region selection in football.
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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