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Five Storm Greats Selected to Top 20 of All-Time

January 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


NEW YORK - The 20 Greatest Players in AFL history, as chosen by the league's 20th Season Historical Committee, were announced today and five have played for the five-time world champion Tampa Bay Storm. Lineman Sylvester Bembery, Quarterback Jay Gruden, Offensive Specialist George LaFrance, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Gary Mullen and Offensive Specialist/Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Stevie Thomas were honored by the league today.

"Those players are some of the best players I have ever seen play the game. I am honored to have coached them and I am honored that they are a part of this great franchise," AFL Hall-of-Fame Head Coach Tim Marcum said.

Bembery played seven seasons for the Storm (1994-99, 2001). He was named to the All-Arena Team six times (1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996). He also won two ArenaBowls with Tampa Bay in 1995 and 1996. In his 13-year career Bembery made 159.5 tackles, four for a loss totaling 15 yards, 43 sacks, 20 passes defended, five safeties, seven fumbles forced and three recovered. His number 78 was retired by the Storm in 2002.

AFL Hall-of-Fame Quarterback Gruden, now head coach for the Orlando Predators, played in a Storm jersey for six seasons (1991-96). He helped Tampa Bay to four ArenaBowl titles in 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1996, being named ArenaBowl MVP in 1993. Amongst his many accolades, Gruden was named the AFL MVP in 1992 and to the All-Arena team in 1992 and 1995. In his career the University of Louisville graduate completed 1,685 passes for 21,732 yards and 400 touchdowns. His number 7 was retired by the Storm in 1998.

LaFrance donned a Storm jersey from 1994-99. His number 25 now hangs in the St. Pete Times Forum after being retired last season. LaFrance won two ArenaBowls in Tampa Bay as part of the 1995 (ArenaBowl MVP) & 1996 teams, he's won five total (1988, 1989, 1992 with Detroit) and played in eight championship games. The two-time AFL MVP recipient in 1989 and 1991 was named to the All-Arena team in the same years. In his 12-year career he hauled in 629 receptions for 9,004 yards and 197 touchdowns. On special teams he returned 460 kickoffs for 9,077 yards (19.7 yd avg.) and 12 touchdowns. He returned 154 missed field goals for 2,306 yards (15.0 yd avg.) and three touchdowns. LaFrance owns all of the career records for return yards by any Storm player; kickoff return yards (5,174), missed field goal return yards (1,321), combined return yards (6,495) and all-purpose yards (11,931).

AFL Hall-of-Fame Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Mullen played for the Storm in 1994. The University of West Virginia standout was named to the All-Arena team in 1987-88, 1990 and a member of four title winning teams in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1992. In his nine year career he caught 254 passes for 4,021 yards and 73 touchdowns. On defense he made 123 stops, 27 passes defended, and seven interceptions returned for two touchdowns.

Thomas played in 11 seasons in the AFL, nine of which spent with the Storm. The Bethune Cookman standout played on five championship teams, including four in Tampa Bay (1991, 1993, 1995, 1996) where he was named ArenaBowl MVP in 1991 & 1996. Being named to the All-Arena team in 1992 and 1996; he still holds Storm all-time records for receiving yards (7,784) and touchdown receptions (150). In his career he hauled in 530 passes for 7,906 yards and 152 touchdowns. On defense he made 133 stops, defended 15 passes, forced four fumbles, recovered seven fumbles and had 10 interceptions returned for five touchdowns. On special teams he returned 68 kickoffs for 1,085 yards and two touchdowns and 20 missed field goals for 327 yards (16.4 yard average).

Current Storm Wide Receiver/Linebacker and future AFL Hall-of-Famer Lawrence Samuels also received votes.

The 2006 Storm football season, presented by Champs Sports, gets underway January 29 versus the Philadelphia Soul (3 p.m. AFL on NBC, 1550-AM) with the home opener on February 10 against the National Conference Champion Georgia Force. For more information visit www.tampabaystorm.com or call 813.301.6600.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 18, 2006


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.

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