Bleisath named AFL Defensive Player of the Week
Published on May 31, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Chicago Rush lineman D. J. Bleisath was named the Arena Football League's ADT Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Chicago's 52-49 playoff win in Los Angeles, the AFL announced today.
Bleisath (6-2, 280, Tennessee Tech) recorded three tackles, two sacks and knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage in Sunday's win, helping the Rush advance to the AFL semifinals for the third time in the last four seasons.
"D. J.'s performance Sunday was one of the big reasons we were able to win the game," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "He has given us a great effort all year and is probably our most-improved player. It is good to know he is peaking at the right time."
Bleisath, in just his second season in the AFL, ranked second among Rush linemen with 21.0 tackles during the regular season. He also recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one pass broken up in 14 games.
This week, the Rush (10-7) travels to Denver to take on John Elway's Colorado Crush (11-6) in the American Conference Championship, Sunday, June 5. The game, which kicks off at 2 p.m., will be broadcast in Chicago on NBC 5 and heard on WCKG, 105.9 FM.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 31, 2005
- Force's Troy Bergeron named AFL Offensive Player of the Week - Georgia Force
- Bleisath named AFL Defensive Player of the Week - Chicago Rush
- AFL names players of the week - AFL I
- Los Angeles' Silas Demary named AFL Lineman of the Year - AFL I
- Orlando Predators game notes - Orlando Predators
- Georgia Force game notes - Georgia Force
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