Blitz Lose Crecion to NFL
February 20, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release
(Bakersfield, CA) â Gabe Crecion, a former UCLA Bruin and Bakersfield Blitz standout, signed with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League on Tuesday. Crecion is the first player in Blitz history to sign with an NFL organization.
"Gabe's a really good guy. It's unfortunate that we lost him but I'm proud of him for making it to the league [NFL]," said head coach James Fuller. "He's a really great athlete who works hard at everything he does and I really don't see him having a problem at the NFL level. This is why you work hard at practice everyday, for a chance to get that NFL contract."
Crecion helped the Blitz to their first Western Division championship in 2002 and a 9-7 regular season record. He had an outstanding rookie season last year recording 28 tackles (18 solo, 20 assisted) with three of them going for losses. He also tallied four sacks, five pass break ups and three forced fumbles as a dominant lineman for coach Fuller.
Before joining the Blitz last season, Crecion was a tight end for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior, he started all 12 games, making eight catches for 122 yards and one touchdown. Crecion prepped at Chaminade High School in West Hills, CA, where he was named a BlueChip Illustrated All-American and was the No.2 rated tight end in the West. He was also named to the SuperPrep All-Far West team and was selected as an All-State player by Cal-Hi Sports.
"That's what it's all about, moving upwards and onwards," said general manager Brad Hoffman. "We're real happy that we can get the quality athletes here in Bakersfield that the NFL is looking at. I think it's a compliment to us as well as to Gabe."
The Bakersfield Blitz will play a 16-game regular season schedule, including eight action-packed home games at the Garden. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Blitz office at (661) 634-9132.
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