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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Hammond Proves Age Just a Number

March 6, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – Every time Georgia Force wide receiver/linebacker DARRYL HAMMOND steps onto the field, in this, his record-setting 13th AFL season, he does so as the AFL's oldest active non-kicker still in pursuit of his first ArenaBowl championship.

Like the NBA's CHARLES BARKLEY or the NFL's DAN MARINO, this 36-year-old veteran has yet to embrace the League's championship trophy after toiling for 12 years. But regardless of his championship aspirations, Hammond is perfectly suited for the Arena Football game.

Before his senior year at Virginia, Cavaliers head coach GEORGE WELSH asked Hammond to move from wide receiver to defensive back. Although the position switch earned him All-ACC honors in 1987, he knew it probably cost him a chance in the specialized world of the NFL. Instead, the move made him a natural for Arena Football's Ironman-style of play.

"I have no regrets whatsoever," said Hammond. "I am glad to have had the chance to play football in the AFL.

While not being tabbed the next JERRY RICE was disappointing, Hammond knew there were other opportunities on the horizon and pursued off-the-field interests.

He completed his degree at Virginia, married his college sweetheart Robyn, and worked as a sheriff in Manassas, Va.

But Hammond missed the thrill of putting on the pads, lining up against an opponent, and making a game-winning play. In 1991, he hung up his holster and decided to give Arena Football a shot by signing with the then-Albany Firebirds.

"I just wanted to play," he said. "It wasn't my intention to play this long, but I just kept playing.

Hammond's appreciation for golf courses – an avid golfer, he's a 6 handicap -- led him to pursue a degree in turf management at Penn State during the Arena Football offseasons, He was also fortunate to serve as a graduate assistant with the legendary JOE PATERNO in the 1994 and 1995 offseasons.

"I learned a lot from Joe," Hammond said. "He taught me a lot about preparing yourself and your team for your next opponent. You could learn so much just by watching the little things he does on and off the field. I could never underestimate what it meant to be around one of the greatest football coaches and football minds."

Hammond's playing career defines the two-way athlete in Arena Football. Starting out in relative anonymity, he has lived up to his own creed of hard work and progress that he believed as a kid would give him an opportunity.

After four solid seasons with the Firebirds, where he still ranks among career leaders in tackles, interceptions, and pass breakups, Hammond moved on to play with the St. Louis Stampede, earning first-team All-Arena honors in 1995 and 1996. The Nashville Kats then drafted him in the 1997 Expansion Draft. After two ArenaBowl appearances with Nashville, he continued his exceptional play with the Force and showed no signs of slowing down.

While most pro players facing double digits in the experience column lose a step or two, Hammond has aged like fine wine. He once again graced the first-team All-Arena list in 1999, and was named to the League's All-Ironman team in 2000 and 2001.

Last June – in a flash of 17 seconds – Hammond, then-35, scored three times, three different ways – receiving, interception return, and a kickoff net recovery – in Georgia's win against Carolina. This year, as a team captain, he leads the Force in scoring (42 points) and receiving (316 yards), while consistently knocking opposing offenses off balance.

Hammond has also etched his name in the AFL record books for career tackles, ranking second (536.5) behind only San Jose's BARRY WAGNER (569.0).

He is also a mentor and takes pride in helping AFL newcomers learn the game and appreciate its history. Something that will mean that much more when he is eventually inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame.

Although 12 years of wear and tear, touchdowns and interceptions, tackles and losses have passed and a championship ring still eludes him, Hammond has a legitimate shot at an ArenaBowl ring with the Force, who are off to a 3-2 start this season. More tackles and touchdowns await the Force's oldest member, and there's no sign of him hanging up the sneakers.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 6, 2003


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