Curtis Named af2 Built Ford Tough Player of the Week
May 7, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
SAN DIEGO â The arenafootball2 announced Tuesday that San Diego Riptide WR/LB Rico Curtis has been named the league's "Built Ford Tough" Player for Week Six for his outstanding performance in the Riptide's 68-27 win over the Louisville Fire.
"This is a great honor," said Curtis. "I owe all my successes on the field to my teammates. Kane (Claunch) threw the ball well, our defense made some big plays and our coaching staff called a great game. This award is really theirs, not mine."
Curtis, the af2 leader in tackles (40.5), posted a game-high 10.5 stops, including one for a loss and returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown. He also had three pass breakups and one QB hurry on defense.
In the third quarter, Curtis grabbed a short pass from QB Kane Claunch and raced 35 yards for a score, then on the Fire's ensuing possession he scooped up a loose ball, after Nathan Gallow sacked Louisville QB Dan English, and returned it 17 yards for another score.
Curtis was the first player assigned to the Riptide and now becomes the first Riptide player awarded one of the af2's weekly honors. For four out of five games, Curtis has been selected as one of the team's "Built Ford Tough" Players of the Game and has led the team in tackles in four of five as well.
"This league is made for players like Rico Curtis," said Riptide General Manager George LaFrance. "He a great two-way player and we are lucky to have a leader of his caliber on this team."
The Built Ford Tough Award is a national recognition award given after every game to the player or players on each team best demonstrating determination and toughness in that game. The award honors the players 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 either side of the ball.
"Ford is the true âIRONMAN' of the truck industry," said Riptide Defensive Coach Henry Milton, "and that toughness and ruggedness is why ArenaBall and Ford are a perfect match. Rico showcased that toughness Saturday night."
Up to five players who display the "get-it-done" kind of attitude are honored by each team every week. At the end of the season, the player with the most "Built Ford Tough" selections on each of the af2's 34 teams will be designated as that team's nominee for the "Built Ford Tough" Man of the Year, who will receive a brand new, fully loaded Ford Truck.
"They (Ford) make very nice trucks," said Curtis, "I'd love to represent the league and Ford with one at the end of the year!"
The Riptide (2-3) head out to Hawaii this Saturday (5/11) and travel up to Fresno (5/18), before returning home to the Sports Arena on Saturday, May 25 when they battle the Bakersfield Blitz. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM and tickets start at just $5.
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