Barry Wagner signs with Daytona Beach Thunder

by Jason Lucas
March 29, 2007 - World Indoor Football League 2 (WIFL 2)
Daytona Beach Thunder


At approximately 2:30pm ET today, Barry Wagner became the newest member of the World Indoor Football League's Daytona Beach Thunder. A small gathering of media came together at the Chism Center in Deland, Florida to welcome Wagner to the Thunder.

"It's like my mother always told me," Wagner said. "when the good lord closes one door he is always ready to open another one."

It was a strange experience watching a man who was the face of the Arena Football League for 15 seasons sign to play in another league that was not the National Football League. Wagner compared his signing with the WIFL to those NFL players who come down and sign with the AFL.

"I figured what's the difference between me signing from the Arena league to the WIFL"? Wagner said in his press conference.

It is simple, really. None of the players who have joined the AFL from the NFL were Barry Wagner-type superstars. Though John Elway owns a team in the league and there are plenty of other former NFL players serving in AFL front offices, none of them have played a down in the AFL.

Wagner also told those in attendance that he has had interest from the Columbus Destroyers and the Orlando Predators. He also said that the biggest reason he signed with the Tampa Bay Storm in the first place was to be near his family, specifically his son Barry, Jr.

Wagner said he would listen to AFL teams with interest while he is with the Thunder. The Daytona Beach signing is very much a new beginning for Wagner who is back making the $250 per game wage he signed for with the Preds in 1992.

The Daytona Beach Thunder host the Augusta Spartans on Saturday at 6:30pm ET. Wagner is scheduled to get the start at wide receiver for the Thunder and he is trying to talk the coaches into letting him play defensive back.

"He'll probably talk us into it," Head Coach Leon Bright said. "Barry's knowledge of the game will help us a lot".



World Indoor Football League 2 Stories from March 29, 2007


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