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AFL Arizona Rattlers

Bonner and Cooper Earn AFL Week Four Honors

February 25, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


PHOENIX - The Arena Football League announced today that Arizona Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner along with his teammate wide receiver/linebacker Hunkie Cooper have been named Offensive Player and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 4 of the 2003 AFL season.

Bonner (6-4, 240, Cal State-Northridge), in his 10th AFL season, returned from injury and completed 24-of-28 passes for 309 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding five rushing yards in the Rattlers' 62-54 victory against the previously undefeated Indiana Firebirds on Sunday. Bonner suffered a Grade II right shoulder separation in the season opening game against San Jose and missed the following two games while on the injured list. The former All-Arena performer has 454 touchdowns in his career, which places him No. 3 all-time behind Andy Kelly (479) and Aaron Garcia (473). This marks the 10th time Bonner has earned an AFL weekly honor.

"It's fun to be back, the offensive line made it much more fun and I was really excited to be out there competing," said Bonner on his performance. "Having guys like Hunkie, Randy (Gatewood) and Chris Horn make the big plays is phenomenal. I would give up this award in minute for one of them to have it."

Cooper (5-9, 190, UNLV), who is in his 11th season in Phoenix, led the Rattlers on both sides of the ball during their 62-54 victory over the Firebirds on Sunday. The former two-time Ironman of the Year winner hauled in three receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown, added a rushing touchdown and completed the scoring trifecta by throwing a 4-yard touchdown strike to Randy Gatewood for the last score of the game. The former Running Rebel also recorded 4.0 total tackles, a pass breakup and returned a kickoff for 22 yards. The kickoff return was the 461st of his career, breaking the League's all-time mark he shared with George LaFrance. Cooper also holds the top spot in career kickoff return yards with 9,152. This marks the eighth time that Cooper has earned an AFL weekly honor.

"I didn't even know I was close to setting an AFL record (on kick returns). It must have happened by accident too, maybe Chris Horn missed it off the net!" Cooper joked. "I'm not really worried about awards and individual success because team success comes first and the other follows ~ it won't work in reverse order."

The Rattlers return to the field this Sunday when they host the Dallas Desparados inside America West Arena at 1:00 p.m. on NBC. Individual tickets for Arizona Rattlers football start at just $5 and can be purchased at the America West Arena Box Office or at www.ticketmaster.com.



Arena Football League Stories from February 25, 2003


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