Gladiators sign former NFL QB Craig Whelihan, two others
Published on January 7, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Las Vegas, NV, January 10, 2005 â The Las Vegas Gladiators announced today they have signed former NFL QB Craig Whelihan, former Gladiator OL/DL Karl Bates and AFL veteran WR/DB Ricky Ross to contracts it was announced today by General Manager Dan Dolby.
Whelihan (6'5", 225, Pacific) comes to Las Vegas for the 2005 season vying for a spot to back-up Clint Dolezel. In 2003 he played with the Indiana Firebirds in four games. He went 42-of-73 for 613 passing yards with eight touchdowns. During 2001 he logged an 8-5 record as the starting quarterback for the Orlando Predators in his first Arena Football League season. He completed 224-of-377 for 3,004 yards and 60 touchdowns. Prior to joining the AFL, he played for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL in 1998 and completed 149-of-238 passes for 1,803 yards and eight touchdowns.
Bates (6'4", 275, Kentucky Wesleyan) re-joins the Gladiators after a stint with the now defunct Detroit. In 2004 he played in 10 games with Detroit recording 12.5 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss of 19 yards, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. During the 2003 season, Bates played in eight games and finished with four total tackles, 3.5 sacks and recovered one fumble. In his first season with the Gladiators in 2002, Bates played in 13 games for the Gladiators and recorded 11 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for a loss and one safety. At the end of the 2001 season the Gladiators chose him in the Dispersal Draft from the now defunct Houston Thunderbears on December 10. He played and started in 14 games and recorded 12.5 tackles, one tackle for a loss and one pass breakup.
Ross (5'11", 187, Missouri) joins the Gladiators after playing for the expansion Philadelphia Soul last season and the previous three years with the Grand Rapids Rampage. Last season Ross played in 12 games and was second on the team in receptions with 57 for 756 yards and 16 touchdowns. He rushed the ball eight times for 30 yards with three touchdowns. He also returned 30 kicks for 587 yards. On defense, he tallied 16 total tackles with two tackles for a loss of five yards. While with the Rampage, Ross played with current Gladiators' quarterback Clint Dolezel and they teamed-up to win the ArenaBowl during the 2001 season.
The Gladiators third season at the Thomas & Mack Center kicks off on Sunday, January 30, 2005 at Noon against divisional rival Los Angeles Avengers. The game will be televised nationally on NBC. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Gladiators office at 702-731-4977 or logging onto www.lvgladiators.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 7, 2005
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