Grady, Gilliam and Rodgers Earn Week 9 Honors
May 8, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - Utah QB TOMMY GRADY, Kansas City DB SERGIO GILLIAM and Milwaukee DB KELVIN RODGERS have been named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and JLS Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 9 of the 2012 AFL season. In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week, AFL Playmaker of the Week and Spalding Highlight of the Week. The Cutters Catch of the Week award winner for Week 9 is WR CJ JOHNSON of the Georgia Force, who was also awarded with the AFL Playmaker of the Week award. The Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Chicago Rush WR REGGIE GRAY.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Grady (6-7, 250, Utah) tied a League record with 11 touchdown passes in Utah's 84-63 victory over the Spokane Shock in Week 9. The number also represents a Blaze franchise record. Grady leads the League in passing touchdowns with 62 on the season.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gilliam (6-3, 195, Clemson) recorded his second two-interception game of the season in Week 9. He also collected four tackles and two pass breakups in the game. Gilliam leads the Command with five interceptions on the year.
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Rodgers (6-1, 180, Minnesota State-Mankato) put his versatility on display in Week 9, leading the Mustangs with 10.5 tackles and 170 kick return yards. He also returned a kick 56 yards for a touchdown in Milwaukee's 64-63 victory over the Philadelphia Soul. Rodgers has accumulated at least 100 all-purpose yards in all three games with the Mustangs this season. He will be awarded a watch crafted by JLS for his Ironman efforts.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Johnson (5-10, 180, Tennessee State) made a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch in the Force's 55-52 victory over the Pittsburgh Power in Week 9. The touchdown was one of three Johnson recorded in the game. He will receive a Cutters t-shirt and hat for his efforts in Week 9.
AFL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Johnson was also named AFL Playmaker of the Week for his efforts on both offense and special teams. Johnson accumulated 304 all-purpose yards in Week 9, with 116 coming in the receiving game and 188 yards off kick returns. He has four straight games with an all-purpose yardage total in triple digits.
SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Gray (5-10, 175, Western Illinois) became Chicago's Touchdown King in Week 9, breaking Etu Molden's franchise record for all-purpose touchdowns in a career. Gray tied the record in the second quarter of Chicago's 61-50 victory over Iowa by collecting his 73rd career touchdown on an eight-yard pass from Russ Michna. A quarter later, Gray made history on a 34-yard scoring strike. He leads the Rush with 21 receiving touchdowns on the year.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Jacksonville's Bernard Morris, Milwaukee's Andrae Thurman, Tampa Bay's Amarri Jackson, Pittsburgh's Oderick Turner, San Antonio's Jomo Wilson, San Jose's Hank Edwards and Iowa's Jesse Schmidt.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Utah's Joe Mortensen, Tampa Bay's Frisner Nelson, Pittsburgh's John Green, Arizona's Arkeith Brown and Chicago's Xavier Brown.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Jacksonville's Terrance Smith, Utah's Aaron Lesue, Philadelphia's Jeff Hughley, Tampa Bay's Mark Jones, Kansas City's Shay Hodge, Arizona's Odie Armstrong and Iowa's Jason Simpson.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the National Guard MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Utah Blaze QB TOMMY GRADY, Chicago Rush QB RUSS MICHNA and San Jose SaberCats QB MARK GRIEB. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 10, 2012.
Arena Football League Stories from May 8, 2012
- Grady Honored for Record Performance - Utah Blaze
- Sergio Gilliam Named AFL's Riddell Defensive Player of the Week - Kansas City Command
- Grady, Gilliam and Rodgers Earn Week 9 Honors - AFL
- Tampa Fire and Rescue Firestorm defeat Tampa Police Gladiators, 12-7 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Sharks Announce Details of Military Appreciation Night - Jacksonville Sharks
- Jaws' Philadelphia Soul Take over Evesham - Philadelphia Soul
- Game Preview: Utah Blaze vs. San Jose SaberCats - Utah Blaze
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.
