Gladiators sign seven
June 24, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Las Vegas, NV, June 24, 2005 - The Las Vegas Gladiators announced today they have re-signed WR/LB's Joe Douglass and Junior Lord; WR/DB Dameon Porter; FB/LB Marlion Jackson, QB Craig Whelihan and OL/DL's Rob Gatrell and William Mayes to contracts. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Douglass (5'11", 185, Montana), a six-year veteran of the Arena Football League, will be back with the Gladiators as an intricate part of the Gladiators offense in 2006. Last season, his first in Las Vegas, Douglass finished the season with 74 receptions for 677 yards with 20 touchdowns. He also returned five missed field goals for 88 yards, 16 kick returns for 296 yards and one fumble returned for a touchdown. On defense, he tallied a career-high 26 tackles with one tackle for a loss, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Douglass was named the team's Ironman of the Year.
Gatrell (6'5", 290, Fresno State) joined the Las Vegas Gladiators prior to the 2005 season after being selected by Las Vegas with the 15th pick in the 2005 AFL Expansion Draft. He saw action in one game for Las Vegas in 2005, but did not record any statistics.
Jackson (6'1", 255, Saginaw Valley State) was traded to the Gladiators after playing six games for the Philadelphia Soul at the start of the 2005 season. With the Gladiators, he became an integral part of the offense and is recognized as one of the most electrifying players in the AFL. With Las Vegas, Jackson played in seven games and rushed for 73 yards on 17 carries, including a Gladiator franchise record for the longest rush from scrimmage (46 yards). He also played at the wide receiver position and finished the season with eight receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns. With the Soul, Jackson rushed the ball 22 times for 54 yards and caught five passes for 40 yards with one touchdown. On defense, he tallied 19 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, one blocked kick and three fumbles recovered.
Lord (6'3", 210, Guilford College) played eight games for Las Vegas in 2005 before being placed on the injured reserve list due to an ankle injury. While active, he caught 19 passes for 196 yards with four touchdowns. On defense, Lord totaled 13.5 tackles, one interception, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
Mayes (6'3", 280, Louisiana Tech), an intense lineman on both sides of the ball, has two AFL seasons under his belt after breaking in with Las Vegas in 2004. Mayes played 12 games for Las Vegas in 2005 and tallied 9.5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and one forced fumble. On offense, he caught four passes for 44 yards including his first career touchdown reception against the Austin Wranglers in Week 4.
Porter (6'1", 180, Wayne State), an eight-year AFL veteran, played in six games after braking two bones in his forearm in Week 5 against the Nashville Kats. In limited action, he caught 16 passes for 156 yards. On defense, Porter recorded 16.5 total tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups.
Whelihan (6'5", 225, Pacific) started two games for the Gladiators in 2005 as the backing up for Clint Dolezel and saw action in 14 games. He finished the season completing 58-of-92 for 596 yards and 13 touchdowns despite two interceptions.
The Gladiators fourth season at the Thomas & Mack Center kicks off in 2006. 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.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 24, 2005
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