Gladiators add four NFL veterans
October 24, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
LAS VEGAS, NV, October 10, 2006 - Las Vegas Gladiators Head Coach Danto Barto is taking full advantage of the new rules for free substitution by inking four ex-NFL players to the Gladiators roster. Signing contracts with Las Vegas today were former New York Jets defensive back Jamie Henderson, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Andy Hall and lineman Carlos Joseph and John Nix. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
"The AFL game has changed," said Barto. "We now have the resources to sign specialized players by position, not having to worry about what they can do on the other side of the ball. These guys will make an impact."
Henderson (6-2, 202, Georgia) was signed as an undrafted free agent and spent three seasons as the starting safety for the New York Jets. He had 30 tackles on defense and one interception in 32 total games and 41 tackles and a blocked punt on special teams before suffering a life threatening motorcycle injury in 2004.
Henderson's tragic accident occurred on April 3, 2004 as he nearly lost his life when he lost control of a motorcycle heading into a curve on a two-lane road in his hometown of Carrollton, Ga. The former Georgia defensive back spent three weeks in a coma, breathing with the help of a respirator as doctors drilled a small hole in his skull to reduce the life-threatening swelling in his brain. His helmet and superb condition saved his life. Henderson has made an inspiring recovery and has been cleared to play professional football again.
Hall (6-1, 218, Delaware) was the sixth round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2004 NFL draft out of the University of Delaware. He led the Fighting Blue Hens to the 2003 Division 1-AA National Championship. In 27 games with the Blue Hens, he hit on 393 of 684 passes (57.5 percent) for 4,596 yards, 34 touchdowns. Hall spent the 2004 season on the Eagles practice squad, and time on the active roster during the 2005 season.
Joseph (6-6, 342, Miami) was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft. After signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he was assigned to NFL Europe by the selected in the 11th round of the NFL Allocated Player Draft by the Cologne Centurions. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles during to the 2005 season, and then was picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 17, 2006, finally being released during the Jaguars 2006 training camp.
Nix (6-1, 313, Southern Mississippi) was a seventh-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2001 NFL draft. He spent three years in the League, seeing action with the Cowboys, Cardinals and Giants. The big nose guard played in 14 games for Dallas in 2004 registering 21 tackles and one forced fumble. He spent 2005 and 2006 in the CFL, playing for Montreal.
The 2007 season marks the 5th Anniversary of the Gladiators in Las Vegas. Season tickets for the 2007 Las Vegas Gladiators home schedule are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Las Vegas Gladiators office at 702-731-4977.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 24, 2006
- Gladiators add four NFL veterans - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Gladiators Goddesses join Las Vegas celebrities to host food drive - Las Vegas Gladiators
- VooDoo adds Gary Gussman to coaching staff - New Orleans VooDoo
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.
