Five-Time All-Arena Joe Hills Signs with Brigade
April 15, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Baltimore Brigade News Release
BALTIMORE, MD - The Baltimore Brigade announced the signing of the 2017 Arena Football League Wide Receiver of the Year and five-time All-Arena player Joe Hills.
Hills is one of the most accomplished wide receivers in the AFL. In 2016 and 2017, he led the AFL in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. In 2018, despite missing one game, Hills still led the AFL in points per game (18.2), receptions per game (8) and reception touchdowns (33). Hills has scored a touchdown in the last 92 consecutive games he has played, which is an active streak and an AFL record.
"Joe Hills is an outstanding football player and has been one of the more dominant wide receivers in the AFL in the past several years," Brigade Head Coach Omarr Smith said. "We expect Joe to add a different dimension to our team that we haven't had in the past."
The seven-year veteran has an impressive 814 catches for 9,910 yards and 263 touchdowns during his career, earning him numerous First Team All-Arena (2018, 2017, 2016, 2013) and Second Team All-Arena honors (2015). In 2017 he was named the AFL Wide Receiver of the Year and in 2016 he was named both the Under Armour Offensive Player of the Year and Cutters Receiver of the Year. In 2016 he caught 161 receptions for 2,020 yards and 58 touchdowns with the Jacksonville Sharks. In 2017, he caught 129 receptions for 1,353 yards and 36 touchdowns with the Tampa Bay Storm. The former South Carolina receiver from Palmetto, Florida was most recently with the Albany Empire where he played in 11 games and caught 88 passes for 1,045 yards and 33 touchdowns.
"All I can do is come in and play the game I love the best way I know how," Hills said. "I leave it all on the field and that's one thing Baltimore can expect from me. I'm here to compete at the highest level and represent Baltimore by playing hard in every game."
Baltimore also re-signed veteran wide receiver Brandon Collins. A four-year AFL veteran, Collins spent the last two seasons with the Brigade totaling 81 catches for 925 yards and 15 touchdowns. The former University of Texas wide receiver started in all 11 games that he played in for the Brigade last season. His 2018 single game highs are 131 receiving yards for three touchdowns against Albany in week 11.
"It is imperative for us to re-sign core veterans," added Smith. "We are excited to have Collins join us back and look forward for the work that both he and Joe can accomplish together on the field. "
Baltimore will kick off their season at Royal Farms Arena on April 26 at 7 p.m. for a rematch of last season's ArenaBowl Championship game. Full season ticket memberships are also on sale and start as low $10 per game. For information about joining the Battalion full season ticket membership club, as well as other group and all-inclusive ticket packages, call the Brigade ticket sales office 667-930-0200, email ticketsales@baltimorebrigade.com, or visit BaltimoreBrigade.com.
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Arena Football League Stories from April 15, 2019
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- Five-Time All-Arena Joe Hills Signs with Brigade - Baltimore Brigade
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