Heisman Trophy runner-up brought in by Rampage

Published on February 25, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Grand Rapids Rampage Arena Football team on Wednesday signed 1998 Davey O'Brien National College Quarterback of the Year and former Heisman, Maxwell, Associated Press Player of the Year and Unitas Award runner-up Michael Bishop to a two-day waiver. He was a first-team All-American pick by Football News and The Sporting News and was a first-team All-Big 12 pick, leading the Big 12 in total offense and in passing efficiency.

Bishop started in all 25 games (including bowl games) during his two seasons at Kansas State and posted a 22-3 (.880) record. He led the Wildcats to their first win over Nebraska in 30 years as he completed 19-of-33 pass attempts for 306 yards with a pair of touchdowns and rushed 25 times for 140 yards (5.6 avg.) with two scores. Received 792 votes, including 41 first place votes, but finished second in the 1998 Heisman Trophy voting to Ricky Williams. Finished his Wildcat career fourth on the all-time passing list with 4,401 yards and broke Chad May's (34, 1993-94) previous record with 36 touchdown passes despite playing only two seasons. Ranks second behind Lynn Dickey (5,779, 1968-70) in Kansas State annals with 5,715 yards of total offense. He established a Kansas State record with 59 total touchdowns (rushing and passing) and holds the school's career records with 23 rushing touchdowns and 1,314 yards rushing for quarterbacks (11th overall). Voted consensus All-American and All-Big Twelve Conference selection and named Big Twelve Offensive Player of the Year. He shattered school season records with 2,844 yards, 23 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Led the team with 14 rushing touchdowns and finished second with 748 yards on 177 attempts (4.2 avg.) and totaled 3,592 total yards of offense. His first year at Kansas State, Bishop was voted second-team All-Big Twelve Conference pick by the league's coaches and Big Twelve Newcomer of the Year by Associated Press after starting all 11 regular-season games.

Prior to his career at KSU, Bishop started at Blinn Junior College (in Texas with Rampage kicker Nick Gatto) during 1995-96 seasons and went 24-0 with two NJCAA national titles. Bishop was voted honorable mention All-Conference in 1996, leading Blinn to their second national title after controlling an offense which accumulated 3,086 yards rushing, including 47 touchdowns, and scored a total of 438 points (36.5 avg. per game). He passed for 972 yards, including nine touchdowns, and rushed for 265 yards and four scores. Led Blinn to their first title and gained 387 yards on 119 carries, including three scores, and passed for 1,712 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Following his outstanding college career, Bishop was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He played in eight games with the Pats in 2000 and completed 3-of-9 passes for 8o yards with a long of 44 yards for a touchdown. Was active in one game in 1999 and in four preseason games, completed 17 of 34 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Allocated to NFL Europe by the Patriots with the Frankfurt Galaxy after spending time in the training camps of both New England and the Green Bay Packers in 2001. Started in six games for the Galaxy, he completed 76-of-153 passes for 1,090 yards and 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He gained 244 yards on 35 carries (7.0 avg.) and a touchdown on the ground. Suffered a hamstring injury in week five against Berlin and made a start late in the year. Spent 2002 and 2003 with the Argonauts starting five games and throwing for 1,053 yards on 63-of-148 passing with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his rookie season.

In other Rampage news, the team waived WR/LB Damon Hodge, OL/DL Desmon Baker and released quarterback Robert Hall on Tuesday. They also brought in quarterback Brent Petrus, WR/LBs Nakia Jenkins and Shawn Foreman on two-day waivers.

Petrus was the back up to Aaron Garcia with the New York Dragons the past few years and started two games last season. In those contests, Petrus tossed three TDs and ran for two more. He starred on the University of Cincinnati football and basketball teams and led the BearCats to their first Bowl berth in 47 years.

Jenkins played high school and college football with his cousin, Rampage offensive specialist Steve Smith. He attended the training camps of the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars; played with NFL Europe's Rhein Fire, the XFL's Las Vegas Outlaws and the AFL's Toronto Phantoms. Played in the high school band for his first two years at Glades Central High in Belle Glade, Florida. Was a high school All-American and in his two years playing football, Jenkins grabbed 48 passes for 1,281 yards with 17 TDs from Smith who was the school's quarterback.

Foreman started his AFL career with Rampage Head Coach Bob Cortese with Oklahoma Wranglers in 2001 and caught 34 balls for 414 yards and nine TDs and finished third in tackles. He's spent the last two seasons with the Indiana Firebirds. Went to University of West Virginia, where he was a two-time All-Big East selection and finished second all-time in school history in receptions and receiving yards.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 25, 2004


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