Greg White Named AFL Defensive Player Of Year
Published on July 10, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 10, 2007) - For the fourth time in eight years, the Arena Football League's top defensive player wears an Orlando Predators uniform. GREG WHITE, who set an Arena Football League record for single season quarterback sacks, was named the 2007 "ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR" on Tuesday afternoon.
White had a sensational year with the Predators, recording 33.5 tackles with a 15 quarterback sacks. He also led the league with six forced fumbles and added two fumble recoveries, two pass defenses, two additional tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, and a defensive touchdown. White's accomplishments were even more notable because he played in less than 14 games. He missed two full contests and part of a third with an elbow injury at the beginning of the season.
It marked the fourth time in eight seasons that a Predators player had won the award. Former Predators defensive specialist KENNY McENTYRE was named "ADT Defensive Player of the Year" in 2000, 2001 and 2004.
"This award tops off a great season for Greg White," Orlando Predators head coach JAY GRUDEN said. "Defensive backs traditionally have dominated this award and for a lineman to win it says volumes of the dominating season Greg had." White added "On a personal level this is a great honor. But it is bittersweet in many ways. Given the choice, I would trade this award in a second for an opportunity to still be in the playoffs."
The accompanying trophy is not the only hardware that White will pick up during ArenaBowl week. He was named first team "ALL-ARENA" and "AFL LINEMAN OF THE YEAR" last week.
White's 15 quarterback sacks broke the 2005 Arena Football League record held by SILAS DEMARY of the Los Angeles Avengers. Prior to Demary's 13.5 in 2005, the old record was 13.0, set by CRAIG WALLS in 1987. "Fifteen sacks in a single Arena Football League season is an incredible number when you think about it," Gruden added. "Over the last decade, quarterbacks in this league have gotten so good at getting rid of the ball quickly. Eight or nine sacks in a single season is often considered a huge year."
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1996 David McLeod Albany
1997 Tracey Perkins Tampa Bay
1998 Johnnie Harris Tampa Bay
1999 James Baron Nashville
2000 Kenny McEntyre Orlando
2001 Kenny McEntyre Orlando
2002 Clevan Thomas San Jose
2003 Clevan Thomas San Jose
2004 Kenny McEntyre Orlando
2005 Silas Demary Los Angeles
2006 Jerald Brown Columbus
2007 Greg White Orlando
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 10, 2007
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