Brian Sump signs with Los Angeles Avengers
October 22, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Brian Sump, a rookie wide receiver/defensive back has signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Sump (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) is expected to add quality depth at the WR/DB position and dramatically upgrade the Avengers' kick return game off the rebound nets.
"I'm really excited to go somewhere where there's a lot of excitement about me and the things that I can do," Sump said. "It's great to join a classy organization with a lot of character and belief in what they do. The indoor game suits me just fine. Ever since I started watching Arena Football, I thought that returning kicks would be good for me with my ability to create space. With my burst and acceleration, I'm probably better in a 15-yard area than in a 50."
On April 28, 2003, Sump signed a free agent contract with the NFL's San Diego Chargers. He performed well in training camp and played in three preseason games, returning six punts for 29 yards, but was released on Aug. 26, in one of the team's final roster reductions.
"Brian is a guy that all of our coaches came across at Chargers' training camp, right here in our backyard (Carson, Calif.), and we fell in love with him," said Hodgkiss, who led the Avengers to an 11-5 record and No. 4 playoff seed last season in his second year with the club. "Later on, we brought Brian in for a workout and really liked him again. He could be a star in the AFL. Brian is already a polished receiver and return guy and has the athletic ability to turn around and play defense. A few teams were really after him hard and we are really happy he chose us."
Sump enjoyed an outstanding collegiate career at the Colorado School of Mines (Golden, Colo.), playing in 39 games and setting 23 school records, including career marks for receptions (146), receiving yards (2,464), receiving touchdowns (24), all-purpose yards (5,529), punt return yardage (717), kickoff return yardage (2,384) and kick return touchdowns (five).
As a junior in 2001, he caught 59 passes for 1,175 yards and 12 touchdowns, establishing three single-season Oredigger records. Sump also returned 38 kickoffs for 1,082 yards and four touchdowns, which established a new NCAA Division II record. He earned All-America, All-Region and first team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors.
Sump played in nine games as a senior in 2002, finishing with 46 receptions for 849 yards and seven scores. He was named the RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is presented annually to the top Division II football player in the nation.
Upon signing with the San Diego Chargers, Sump became the first Colorado School of Mines player to sign a professional football contract out of college since 1994.
Born on Dec. 10, 1980, Sump did not play football until his senior year at Thomas Jefferson High School (Denver, Colo.), where he was an All-Denver Prep League honorable mention selection as a wide receiver and punter.
"I got involved in football through some buddies that I played baseball with in high school," said Sump, who was an accomplished pitcher and outfielder. "I wasn't very big and didn't think I had the size to play football, but some friends thought it would be a good idea. So I went out for the team, just started playing and the dominos started falling after that."
Playing in the defensive backfield when he joins the Avengers will be the latest in what has been a series of entirely new things for Sump in the past five years.
"It's going to be a great challenge," he said, referring to playing both ways. "Making the adjustments defensively will take time, but I'm confident. I'll let my football instincts take over and hopefully make an immediate impact."
Avenger season tickets for the 2004 campaign, which begins in February, are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 22, 2003
- Brian Sump signs with Los Angeles Avengers - Los Angeles Avengers
- Desperados Add Two More Through Free Agency - Dallas Desperados
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
