Daniels Lands Fourth Defensive MVP Trophy
July 8, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (July 8, 2011) - The Southern Indoor Football League handed out its yearly MVP awards today and to no surprise defensive back and Shaw graduate Damian "The Nighthawk" Daniels landed his third consecutive Defensive MVP trophy, fourth overall.
It was once again a stellar season for "The Nighthawk" grabbing a league-high 18 interceptions registering a pick in all but two games. Despite being only 5'9", Daniels can soar to heights that add on another two feet making him seem as tall as Yao Ming as his 18 INT's moves his career total up to 76. Not bad for the Shaw graduate considering he was scouted at a local tryout by now Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson.
Daniels has the distinction of winning three MVP trophies in three different leagues (WIFL-2007, AIFA-2009, and SIFL 2010-2011). Prior to the 2011 season, Damian had signed with the AFL's Cleveland Gladiators but elected to stay in his hometown of Columbus so that he may finish up his teaching degree with the hopes of becoming a football coach of his own someday, he is currently an assistant coach at Brookstone School in Columbus.
Over the twelve week season, "Nighthawk" led Columbus in the number one pass defense (180.5 yards/game) helping lock up the best regular season finish for the Lions at 11-1. The highlight of the season came on June 4th when he grabbed four interceptions in a 58-39 victory over Albany to secure the 2011 SIFL Southern Division Championship.
"Damian has really made my coaching life a lot easier over the past five years," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "When you're at this level, we constantly are rolling out new rookies each season, he helps make that transition easier for the rookies along with making things stress-free for me since it's like having another coach on the field."
Already missing indoor football' Be sure to lock up your season tickets for the 2012 season as prices have been set, contact the Lions front office at 706-322-3336 or log on to www.columbuslions.net for more details.
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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from July 8, 2011
- Daniels Lands Fourth Defensive MVP Trophy - Columbus Lions
- Erie's Adam DiMichele and Kevin Concepcion Win League MVP Awards - Erie Explosion
- Sifl Names 2011 MVPs, Coach of the Year - SIFL
- Hammers Payne Selected to All-SIFL Team - Alabama Hammers
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