Carolina Cobras Announce 2002 Team Award Winners

Published on August 7, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release


RALEIGH, N.C. (August 7, 2002) – The Carolina Cobras today announced their 2002 award winners. Each season, the Cobra coaches select the team's Most Valuable Player, Ironman and Lineman of the Year, while also selecting the recipient of the Cobra Award, which goes to the player who most represents what it means to be a Carolina Cobra, both on the field and in the community.

OS Aaron Bailey (5-10, 190, Louisville) was named the team's MVP after he became the first player in team history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for receiving during a season. Over the course of the regular season, Bailey hauled in a team-high 89 passes (No. 7 in the AFL) for 1,102 yards (No. 7 in the AFL) and 18 TDs. Additionally, the former Indianapolis Colt receiver collected four 100-yard receiving games in 2002. In two post season games, Bailey caught 17 passes for 317 yards and nine TDs. For his career (regular season games only), Bailey ranks as the team leader in scoring (234 points), total touchdowns (38), receptions (150), receiving yards (2,017), receiving touchdowns (37) and 100-yard receiving games (9).

WR/LB Cory Fleming (6-2, 218, Tennessee), one of the AFL's most consistent two-way players, earned the team's Ironman of the Year Award. The six-year veteran, who just concluded his first season with the Cobras, finished the year with 66 receptions for 768 yards and 18 TDs. The former Dallas Cowboy receiver also contributed 20.0 tackles (13 solo, 14 assisted), two interceptions and five pass breakups on defense. Fleming, the AFL's Rookie of the Year in 1997, was a member of the league's 1999 All-Ironman Team and is a finalist for this season's Built Ford Tough Man of the Year, given to the player who best demonstrates determination and toughness, the player who made a game-saving tackle or score-saving tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on both sides of the ball.

FB/LB Andre Bowden (6-1, 250, Fayetteville State), the league's second-leading rusher all-time, earned the Cobras' Lineman of the Year award for his outstanding play near the line of scrimmage. The nine-year veteran rushed for 90 yards and seven touchdowns on 22 carries (second on the team in all categories), while racking up 16.5 tackles (11 solo, 11 assisted), three sacks, a safety, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble on defense.

WR/DB Carl Bond (5-11, 205, Connecticut) earned the team's Cobra Award. Bond appeared in 12 games for Carolina this season, where he hauled in 53 passes for 587 yards and six TDs, while recording 15.5 tackles (14 solo, three assisted), four interceptions (second on the team), one pass break up and one fumble recovery. In addition, the two-year pro made himself an active member of the Raleigh community as he gave his time to numerous charitable organizations.

The Cobras (7-9) finished their third season in the AFL with their second consecutive post season berth. During the playoffs, Carolina earned their first-ever playoff win by dethroning the defending ArenaBowl champion Grand Rapids Rampage, 72-64, in the First Round of the ArenaBowl XVI Playoffs. The Cobras season ended this past Sunday when the two-time AFL champion Arizona Rattlers scored a come-from-behind 61-59 decision over Carolina. Beginning in 2003, the AFL will move their season up to begin in February, with the ArenaBowl, the league's title game, scheduled for the end of June.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 7, 2002


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