German Teams Sweep Player Awards
May 13, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release
STARS of the three NFL Europe League teams based in Germany - Frankfurt Galaxy, Berlin Thunder and Rhein Fire - have produced a clean sweep of the Player of the Week honours following their outstanding efforts in Week 6 action.
Frankfurt wide receiver MARC LESTER was named Offensive Player of the Week, while Berlin Thunder defensive end LAMANZER WILLIAMS scooped the defensive prize. Rhein Fire wideout KENDALL NEWSON has been voted Special Teams Player of the Week and German defensive end DANIEL BENETKA, of the Galaxy, is hailed the top national.
Lester - of the Baltimore Ravens - enjoyed a career night in the Waldstadion as he helped the Galaxy come from behind to record a 33-27 victory over the Scottish Claymores in overtime. He caught 12 passes for 195 yards (both season bests) and scored 3 touchdowns.
Lester scored twice in the fourth quarter on receptions of 6 and 13 yards, and then grabbed the game-winning touchdown from 45 yards out in overtime to cap a highlight-reel night.
Galaxy head coach DOUG GRABER said: "Marc is a real good football player and a great kid. The Baltimore Ravens are going to be very pleased with him and I will be shocked if he doesn't make their roster this year."
Williams - allocated by the Miami Dolphins - recorded 5 tackles, including 4 sacks, in helping the Thunder to a 24-14 victory over the F.C. Barcelona Dragons. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder now leads the NFLEL with 5 sacks.
Newson, also of the Miami Dolphins, earned honours after returning a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown during Rhein's 34-27 victory over the Amsterdam Admirals. Newson gained 244 all-purpose yards (144 returns, 100 receiving) and also scored on a 30-yard reception.
Fire head coach PETE KUHARCHEK said: "Kendall Newson was outstanding and he played a great game. Our special teams play was excellent. Kendall's touchdown catch was big for us and his kickoff return was a great play."
Benetka, who has spent the past two summers in NFL training camps with the Indianapolis Colts (2001) and New England Patriots (2002), won National Player of the Week honours after recording 3 tackles and a key interception that proved to be the catalyst for Frankfurt's comeback against the Claymores.
With the Claymores driving and looking to add to their 21-6 lead in the third quarter, Benetka intercepted Craig Nall at Frankfurt's 30-yard line, allowing the Galaxy to go on a scoring march and reduce the arrears to 21-13.
Benetka has been a key figure on Frankfurt's defensive line in 2003, recording 11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 pass defenses and a forced fumble.
NFL EUROPE LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARDS - WEEK 6
OFFENSIVE MARC LESTER WR Frankfurt Galaxy
DEFENSIVE LAMANZER WILLIAMS DE Berlin Thunder
SPECIAL TEAMS KENDALL NEWSON WR Rhein Fire
NATIONAL DANIEL BENETKA DE Frankfurt Galaxy
National Football League Europa Stories from May 13, 2003
- Battle of top Fire defense and Scottish offense as Rhein hopes to sweep Claymores - Rhein Fire
- Dragons Seek Revenge in Berlin - NFLE
- German Teams Sweep Player Awards - NFLE
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