Former 'Wheeler Anthony Returns Home
Published on June 26, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â After one season with the Quad City Steamwheelers, WR/LB Chris Anthony made the jump from the "Deuce" to the AFL, as the New York Dragons came calling. After a successful season, Anthony has returned home to the Quad Cities for a month and stopped by the Steamwheelers practice on Wednesday.
"It's good to be home and see these guys," Anthony said after watching the âWheelers last practice before they left for Hawaii. "It's good to be back and have some time to relax.
Anthony is back in town for a football camp the he and his brother put on. He said that he would be in town for the next month or so.
Anthony starred with the Steamwheelers in 2002 before going onto the AFL in 2003 with the New York Dragons.
After the 2002 season, Anthony was named the Steamwheelers Most Valuable Player for the Steamwheelers after his 125 receptions for 1,613 yards and 32 touchdowns. His receptions ranked him third in the af2 and his yards ranked fourth. He averaged 100.8 yards and two touchdowns a game on the offensive end.
On the defensive side of the ball, Anthony recorded 31.5 tackles with three interceptions returned for 30 yards, one for a touchdown for the âWheelers.
He added ten pass break ups, one fumble recovery and one tackle for a loss.
The stats sure pleased Dragons head coach Todd Shell as he and the Dragons signed Anthony on November 13th for the 2003 season. The 6-3, 200 lb. WR/LB quickly made a name for himself in the AFL as he ranked second on the team in receptions (70), yards (880) and touchdowns (47).
On the other side of the ball, Anthony added 21 tackles; two interceptions returned for six yards, a pass breakup and two fumble recoveries. Anthony helped lead the Dragons to the quarterfinals of the playoffs as the Dragons dropped a 69-62 heartbreaker to the Orlando Predators.
"It was nice to make the playoffs and win the division after starting the season 0-6, which this was the first time that a team has done that," Anthony said. "It was nice to get some postseason play."
Overall the season was good for Anthony, who enjoyed his first season as a Dragon and at the AFL level.
"It was a lot of fun, a lot more than what I expected, the NBC deal, the guys were great, I had a lot of fun," Anthony said of his first year at the AFL level.
Anthony has not forgot where he got his start in the arena game as he still keeps in good touch with players from last year's 10-6 squad.
"I've talked with Zimmerman, Gooch, Fourdyce a couple times, there are a lot of guys friendships here that I value and who value mine as well so it's pretty easy to keep in touch with them," Anthony said.
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