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Former Western Michigan Star Josh Bush Eyein the AFL

January 23, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


For Josh Bush, playing football is nothing new. Playing Arena Football is. Bush, one of three Western Michigan graduates (Jeff Welsh and Mark Ricks) on the Rampage training camp roster, is the only Rampage hopeful without any Arena Football experience.

"I have been playing football my whole life so I know how to play the game -- now I just have to learn the Arena game, fast," Bush commented after practice on Wednesday. "Who better to learn from than Coach (Michael) Baker -- he's one of the best receivers in Arena Football history."

Bush, Western Michigan's all-time leading punt returner, has looked impressive during the team's practices at the Soccer Spot. He has displayed tremendous speed, quickness, and elusiveness on offense, along with good cover skills on defense.

A significant challenge of playing in the AFL is the ability to play both offense and defense (known as "Ironman football"). This is hard for many players who excel on one side of the ball, but struggle on the other. In the AFL, six of eight players play both ways. Since Bush played only wide receiver and punt returner in both college and high school, he is attempting to play defense for the first time.

"My whole life people have told me that I am too small to play defense," the five-foot nine inch wide receiver/defensive back stated.

"Now is my chance to prove myself not only as a receiver but also as a defensive back. I have always wanted to play defensive back so I can be the one hitting people instead of being hit."

With the short distance between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Bush hopes to have his own cheering section during home games. "It is going to be great (playing at Van Andel Arena); all my friends from Western can come and cheer me on. At college, when I went on the field for a punt return, the crowd would be going nuts so I hope it will be like that here."

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 23, 2004


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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