Gladiators add strength up front
November 28, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
LAS VEGAS, NV, November 28, 2005 - The Las Vegas Gladiators continued to improve their power up front by signing former NFL lineman Chukie Nwokorie and AFL veteran OL/DL Tony Plantin it was announced today by Gladiators' General Manager Dan Dolby. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Teams are allowed to bring 37 players into training camp. The Gladiators roster is at the training camp limit.
The Gladiators will hold a two-day mini camp beginning on January 3 with the first day of full-squad training camp on Thursday, January 5. Both training camp and minicamp, which are open to the public, will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Nwokorie (6-3, 285, Purdue) spent seven years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. In 36 career NFL games, Nwokorie (pronounced Wok-Orie) totaled 7.5 sacks and 63 tackles. He signed with Indianapolis as an undrafted-free agent in 1999 after his four-year career at Purdue University.
Plantin (6-4, 290, Clemson) is a six-year AFL veteran who has established himself as one of the top two-way lineman in the League. He played for four AFL teams in his career and spent the 2005 season with the San Jose SaberCats. For his career, Plantin has 11.5 sacks and 62 total tackles. He also spent time with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe and in camp with the Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers.
On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the Arena Football League - the second-longest running football league in U.S. history - begins its 20th season in 2006. Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League is America's fastest-growing sport.
The AFL can be seen weekly beginning in January on NBC.
The Gladiators open the 2006 campaign on Friday, January 27, 2006, on the road at the Austin Wranglers. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM PT and can be heard on ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas with Andrew Siciliano and Mike Pritchard back to handle the call.
The Gladiators first home game will be a Monday Night Football contest against the San Jose SaberCats, February 6 at the Thomas & Mack Center. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM.
Gladiators' 2006 season seats are on sale now. Fans interested in purchasing Gladiators' season seats can do so by calling the Gladiators office at 702-731-4977 or by going online at www.UNLVtickets.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 28, 2005
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