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Baron, Fleming Named To AFL's 20 Greatest List

January 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release


NASHVILLE (Jan. 18, 2005) - Nashville Kats James Baron and Cory Fleming were named as two of the 20 greatest players in Arena Football League history in a list released by the league on Wednesday. The list is the first of many "20 Greatest" lists that the league will announce throughout the AFL's 20th Anniversary season.

Baron was sixth on the list and was the highest ranking player that was not either a receiver or quarterback, while teammate Fleming was tied for 14th. Both stars are entering their tenth year in the league.

"It's a great honor. I don't know if I fit on it yet," said Fleming who was the US Army Ironman of the Year in 2004, signifying the AFL's best two-way player. "There have been a lot of guys in the arena league that have paved the way for me. I'm truly humbled and gracious for them to think I am one of the top players of all time."

Fleming was marked Rookie of the Year in 1997 and has received All-Arena honors five times (1997-98, 2002, 2004-05). In nine AFL seasons, he has averaged 89 receptions, 1,073 receiving yards and 25 receiving touchdowns. He has also caught a touchdown pass in each of the last 38 games in which he has played.

Baron was selected Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and Lineman of the Year in 2001. He was also named to the All-Ironman squad in those years. He has 39.5 career sacks which is fourth highest in AFL history. His 24.5 career tackles for loss is the second-highest total in league history.

Baron said he felt honored to be on the same list with such talented players, but he thought another deserving Kat was left off.

"The guy that can have my spot any time is Darryl Hammond," he said of the 15-year veteran who has had the longest career in the history of the sport. "Someone who has played for 15 years and is the leading tackler in the Arena Football League and he doesn't even make the list. There is no way I should be on that list without him on it."

One reason Hammond may not have been on the list is because he was one who helped make it. The veteran was on the 20th Season Historical Committee who nominated and voted for the best players, and he did not vote for himself.

Wide reciever Eddie Brown received top honors as the No. 1 player. Playing 10 years for the Indiana/Albany Firebirds, Brown is the AFL career leader with 303 receiving touchdowns and he is second all time in scoring with 2064 total points.

"Touchdown" Eddie Brown played all 10 seasons of his career with the Firebirds. He played from 1994-2000 in Albany, including the team's ArenaBowl championship season in 1999, and then relocated with the team to Indiana in 2001. He retired following the 2003 season.

Brown's greatness is generally attributed to his intelligence and flawless hands rather than blazing speed. He had a tremendous knack for getting open and always possessed a great relationship with his coaches and quarterbacks.

"Eddie Brown was simply the best receiver to play Arena Football," says Chicago head coach and Historical Committee member Mike Hohensee, who coached Brown in Albany. "I was fortunate enough to coach him and I know one thing about him that a lot of others don't - he is extremely intelligent. He is going to be a great coach one day. They called him ‘Touchdown' for a reason. I don't remember ever seeing him drop a pass in the end zone. He had tremendous focus and was one of those rare players that made me a better football coach. It was a privilege to coach him."

Brown won a league MVP (1994) and two Offensive Player of the Year awards (1996, '99), was named All-Arena four times (1994, 1996, 1998-99) and MVP of ArenaBowl XIII. He is the AFL's career leader with 303 receiving TDs. Brown holds the single-game record for most touchdowns in a game with nine. He ranks second all-time in scoring with 2,064 points, receptions with 949, and total TDs with 344. He also threw seven touchdown passes.

"Eddie was a great competitor with unbelievable hands," says Colorado head coach Mike Dailey, who also coached Brown during his career. "He had the strongest hands I have ever seen. When the AFL first started, receivers used their hands to get separation from the defense, but Eddie would out-fight you for the ball and he knew how to position his body to get the advantage."

Brown won by a slim margin, defeating San Jose WR/LB Barry Wagner by only one point. Wagner won six consecutive Ironman of the Year awards from 1992-97 and three ArenaBowls, one with Orlando in 1998 and two with San Jose in 2002 and 2004. Wagner is one of eight active players on the list.

"A fierce competitor," says Hohensee about Wagner. "The best two-way player that played the game. He was someone you had to gameplan against in all three facets of the game - offense, defense and special teams. You always had to know where he was on the field. And no matter who you brought at him on either side of the ball, he could compete with them. He is the prototypical Arena Football player."

OS George LaFrance, who won five ArenaBowls, QB Jay Gruden, who won four ArenaBowls as a player, and WR/LB Kunkie Cooper, a two-time Ironman of the Year, rounded out the top five. Arizona, Detroit, and Tampa Bay all had five former or current players on the list, which was the most of all teams. Five players played WR/LB, which was the most of any position.

The complete list:

rank PLAYER Points

1 Eddie Brown, OS 136

2 Barry Wagner*, WR/DB 135 (3)

3 George LaFrance, OS 126 (1)

4 Jay Gruden, QB 122 (2)

5 Hunkie Cooper, WR/LB 113 (1)

6 James Baron*, OL/DL 83

7 Sylvester Bembery, OL/DL 64

8 Sherdrick Bonner*, QB 61

9 Stevie Thomas, WR/LB 59

10 Dwayne Dixon, WR/LB 56

11 Aaron Garcia*, QB 50

12 Kurt Warner, QB 49

13 Sam Hernandez, OL/DL 41

14t Cory Fleming*, WR/LB 39

14t Greg Hopkins*, WR/LB 39

16 Alvin Rettig, FB/LB 35

17t Randy Gatewood*, WR/DB 33

17t Gary Mullen, WR/DB 33

19 John Corker, OL/DL 29

20 Bob McMillen*, FB/LB 24

BIOS FOR the remaining 20 Greatest Players

2. Barry Wagner, WR/DB: Six-time Ironman of the Year (1992-97); All-Arena (1992-97, 2002-03); Played in seven ArenaBowls; Four-time ArenaBowl Ironman of the Game (VIII, IX, XII & XIII); Won three ArenaBowls (Orlando 1998, San Jose 2002 & 2004).

Six-time Ironman of the Year (1992-97); All-Arena (1992-97, 2002-03); Played in seven ArenaBowls; Four-time ArenaBowl Ironman of the Game (VIII, IX, XII & XIII); Won three ArenaBowls (Orlando 1998, San Jose 2002 & 2004).

3. George LaFrance, OS: Two-time AFL MVP (1989 & 1991); Two-time All-Arena (1989 & 1991); Won five ArenaBowls (1988-89, 1992, 1995-96), played in eight.

Two-time AFL MVP (1989 & 1991); Two-time All-Arena (1989 & 1991); Won five ArenaBowls (1988-89, 1992, 1995-96), played in eight.

4. Jay Gruden, QB: AFL Hall of Fame (1999); Won four ArenaBowls (Tampa Bay, 1991, 1993, 1995-96); AFL MVP (1992); All-Arena (1992 & 1995); ArenaBowl MVP (1993); 88-22 (.800) career regular-season record.

AFL Hall of Fame (1999); Won four ArenaBowls (Tampa Bay, 1991, 1993, 1995-96); AFL MVP (1992); All-Arena (1992 & 1995); ArenaBowl MVP (1993); 88-22 (.800) career regular-season record.

5. Hunkie Cooper, WR/LB: Two-time Ironman of the Year (1999 & 2000); All-Arena (1993, 1995-97, 1999-2000); Won two ArenaBowls (Arizona, 1994 & 1997); Ironman of ArenaBowl XI; All-time all-purpose yards leader (20,587).

Two-time Ironman of the Year (1999 & 2000); All-Arena (1993, 1995-97, 1999-2000); Won two ArenaBowls (Arizona, 1994 & 1997); Ironman of ArenaBowl XI; All-time all-purpose yards leader (20,587).

6. James Baron, OL/DL: Defensive Player of the Year (1999); Lineman of the Year (2001); All-Arena (1997-2002); All-Ironman (1999 & 2001); Played in two ArenaBowls (2000-01).

Defensive Player of the Year (1999); Lineman of the Year (2001); All-Arena (1997-2002); All-Ironman (1999 & 2001); Played in two ArenaBowls (2000-01).

7. Sylvester Bembery, OL/DL: All-Arena (1988, 1990-92, 1995-96); Won two ArenaBowls (Tampa Bay, 1995-96).

All-Arena (1988, 1990-92, 1995-96); Won two ArenaBowls (Tampa Bay, 1995-96).

8. Sherdrick Bonner, QB: All-Arena (1997-98, 2000, 2002-03); Most wins (94) by an AFL starting QB; 94-38 (.712) career regular-season record; Won two ArenaBowls (Arizona, 1994 & 1997).

All-Arena (1997-98, 2000, 2002-03); Most wins (94) by an AFL starting QB; 94-38 (.712) career regular-season record; Won two ArenaBowls (Arizona, 1994 & 1997).

9. Stevie Thomas, WR/LB: All-Arena (1992, 1996); Two-time ArenaBowl MVP (V & X); Won five ArenaBowls (Tampa Bay, 1991, 1993, 1995-96 & Orlando, 2000).

All-Arena (1992, 1996); Two-time ArenaBowl MVP (V & X); Won five ArenaBowls (Tampa Bay, 1991, 1993, 1995-96 & Orlando, 2000).

10. Dwayne Dixon, WR/LB: AFL Hall of Fame (1998); Ironman of the Year (1988); Won three ArenaBowls (Detroit, 1988-90); Holds record for most receptions in a game (20).

AFL Hall of Fame (1998); Ironman of the Year (1988); Won three ArenaBowls (Detroit, 1988-90); Holds record for most receptions in a game (20).

11. Aaron Garcia, QB: Offensive Player of the Year (2001); All-Arena (2000-01); Only QB in AFL history to throw for 100-plus TD in a single season (2001 & 2003); All-time leader with 725 TD passes.

Offensive Player of the Year (2001); All-Arena (2000-01); Only QB in AFL history to throw for 100-plus TD in a single season (2001 & 2003); All-time leader with 725 TD passes.

12. Kurt Warner, QB: Two ArenaBowl appearances (1996-97); All-Arena (1996-97); 30-10 (.750) career regular-season record.

Two ArenaBowl appearances (1996-97); All-Arena (1996-97); 30-10 (.750) career regular-season record.

13. Sam Hernandez, OL/DL: Lineman of the Year (2000); All-Arena (1995-96, 1998, 2000, 2003); All-time sacks leader (59.0); Won two ArenaBowls (San Jose, 2002 & 2004)

Lineman of the Year (2000); All-Arena (1995-96, 1998, 2000, 2003); All-time sacks leader (59.0); Won two ArenaBowls (San Jose, 2002 & 2004)

14. Cory Fleming, WR/LB: Rookie of the Year (1997); Ironman of the Year (2004); All-Arena (1997-98, 2002, 2004-05); All-Ironman (1999, 2002, 2004-05); Played in two ArenaBowls (2000-01).

Rookie of the Year (1997); Ironman of the Year (2004); All-Arena (1997-98, 2002, 2004-05); All-Ironman (1999, 2002, 2004-05); Played in two ArenaBowls (2000-01).

15. Greg Hopkins, WR/LB: Ironman of the Year (2002); All-Arena (1998, 2000, 2002-03); All-Ironman (1999, 2001-03).

Ironman of the Year (2002); All-Arena (1998, 2000, 2002-03); All-Ironman (1999, 2001-03).

16. Alvin Rettig, FB/LB: AFL Hall of Fame (1998); Won four ArenaBowls (Detroit, 1988-90 & 1992); ArenaBowl IV Ironman of the Game (1990); All-Arena (1990-92).

17. Randy Gatewood, WR/DB: Ironman of the Year (2003); All-Arena (1996-97, 1999-2000, 2003); Played in four ArenaBowls (Arizona, 1997, 2002-04), including ArenaBowl XI championship team.

Ironman of the Year (2003); All-Arena (1996-97, 1999-2000, 2003); Played in four ArenaBowls (Arizona, 1997, 2002-04), including ArenaBowl XI championship team.

18. Gary Mullen, WR/DB: AFL Hall of Fame (1998); All-Arena (1987-88, 1990); Member of four championship teams (1987, 1989-90, 1992).

AFL Hall of Fame (1998); All-Arena (1987-88, 1990); Member of four championship teams (1987, 1989-90, 1992).

19. John Corker, OL/DL: AFL Hall of Fame (2002); Lineman of the Year (1991); All-Arena (1991); Won three ArenaBowls (Detroit, 1988, 1990, 1992).

AFL Hall of Fame (2002); Lineman of the Year (1991); All-Arena (1991); Won three ArenaBowls (Detroit, 1988, 1990, 1992).

20. Bob McMillen, FB/LB: All-Arena (1999-2000); All-Ironman (2004); Won two ArenaBowls (Arizona, 1997 & San Jose, 2002); Fourth all-time in rushing yards (1,150).

All-Arena (1999-2000); All-Ironman (2004); Won two ArenaBowls (Arizona, 1997 & San Jose, 2002); Fourth all-time in rushing yards (1,150).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 18, 2006


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