Chatman Named Offensive Player of the Month
May 23, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
May 23, 2003 â The awards continue to roll in for Chicago Rush offensive specialist Antonio Chatman. Today the Arena Football League announced that Chatman had been named the league's Offensive Player of the Month for his performance in May. Earlier in the week, Chatman was named second-team all-Arena and Offensive Player of the Week.
During his three games in May, Chatman caught 30 passes for 408 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns and recorded 825 all-purpose yards on his way to setting the AFL's single-season record for all-purpose yards with 3,678.
"Chatman has developed into one of the most dangerous scoring threats in the AFL," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "He is capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. We will look for his big play ability as we begin our playoff run this weekend."
Chatman's record-setting year has earned him consideration as the league's Offensive Player of the Year. He finished the regular season with 123 catches for 1,608 yards and 29 touchdowns â all Rush team records. In addition, he returned 84 kicks for 2,062 yards and seven touchdowns. He became just the fourth player in AFL history with 25+ receiving touchdowns, 100+ receptions, 1,000+ receiving yards and 1,000+ return yards in the same season. He set a league record for all-purpose yards, and tied the AFL mark for kickoffs returned for touchdowns (7). Chatman finished the season ranked in the top five in the AFL in receptions (2nd), receiving yards (3rd) and scoring (5th).
The Chicago Rush (8-8) will begin its drive to ArenaBowl XVII this Sunday, May 25, against the New York Dragons (8-8). Kickoff for Sunday's game at Nassau Coliseum is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast in Chicago on NBC 5 and heard on WAUR 930 AM.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 23, 2003
- AFL Wild Card Injury Report - AFL I
- AFL Tabs Players of the Month - AFL I
- Fury Kicker Nick Gatto Named AFL's Kicker of the Month - Detroit Fury
- Head-to-head Black & Blue made for an instant rivalry in Week 15, to reignite in the playoffs - Georgia Force
- Chatman Named Offensive Player of the Month - Chicago Rush
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