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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Jackson, Dukes, Franklin Earn Honors

May 28, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


Los Angeles Avengers' OS CHRIS JACKSON, New York Dragons' DS DONVETIS FRANKLIN, and Los Angeles Avengers' FB/LB CHAD DUKES have been named the Arena Football League's Offensive Player, "ADT" Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for their performances during Week Six of the 2002 season.

Jackson (6-2, 205, Washington St.), the 2000 AFL Rookie of the Year, continued his hot streak by hauling in 13 receptions for 194 yards and six touchdowns, while adding a two-point conversion in the Avengers 74-53 come-from-behind victory over the Georgia Force. Jackson scored two of the Avengers final four touchdowns - all of which came in the final two minutes of the game - while adding an additional two-point conversion to seal the victory. Jackson currently leads the league in scoring (116 points), receiving yards (708), and touchdowns (18). This marks the second time this season and third time in his career that he has earned a league weekly honor. He won Ironman of the Week during Week 11 of the 2001 season.

Franklin (5-11, 190, Michigan St.), who is in his rookie season, recorded two interceptions, three solo tackles, two assists, and defended three passes to help lead the Dragons (2-4) a 44-37 victory over Detroit. The former Spartan also recovered a kickoff in the endzone for a defensive touchdown in the third quarter. Franklin currently leads the league in tackles (47.0), while adding three interceptions. This award marks the first time that Franklin has garnered league-wide weekly recognition in his career.

Dukes (6-1, 225, Pittsburgh), the 1998 Ironman of the Year, starred on both sides of the ball in Friday's 74-53 come-from-behind victory over the Georgia Force. Dukes had 19 rushing yards, two touchdowns, a 12-yard kickoff return, and a 24-yard reception on offense, while adding 8.5 total tackles (including a 0.5 tackle for a loss), forcing and recovering a fumble on defense. The former Panther leads the Avengers (4-2) in rushing yards (101), rushing touchdowns (6), and is currently in second in tackles (24.5). This marks the first time that Dukes has earned Ironman of the Week honors in his AFL career.

Other candidates for Offensive Player of the Week included: Arizona's Sherdrick Bonner, Carolina's John Fitzgerald and Aaron Bailey, Dallas' Dialleo Burks, Grand Rapids' Steve Smith, Los Angeles' Tony Graziani, New Jersey's Mike Horacek, New York's Danny Kanell and Steve Papin, Orlando's Jay Gruden, and San Jose's James Hundon.

Other candidates for "ADT" Defensive Player of the Week included: Detroit's R-Kal Truluck, Indiana's DeJuan Alfonzo, Los Angeles' Chad Dukes, San Jose's Clevan Thomas and Anthony Cobb, and Toronto's Steve Konopka.

Other candidates for Ironman of the Week included: Arizona's Hunkie Cooper, Buffalo's Carlos James, Carolina's Cory Fleming, Detroit's Chuck Winters, Georgia's Darryl Hammond, New York's Carl Sacco, Orlando's Clif Dell, San Jose's Clevan Thomas and Shalon Baker, and Toronto's Luke Leverson.

PREVIOUS WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Week, Offensive, "ADT" Defensive, Ironman
Week 1, Chris Jackson (Los Angeles), Ron Carpenter (Georgia), Gary Compton (Indiana)
Week 2, Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona), Bob McMillen (San Jose), Mike Furrey (New York)
Week 3, Lamont Cooper (Buffalo), Andre Bowden (Carolina), Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles)
Week 4, Chris Horn (Arizona), Sam Hernandez (San Jose), Lawrence Samuels (Tampa Bay)
Week 5, Sedrick Robinson (New Jersey), Chris Snyder (Indiana), Mike Furrey (New York)

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"BUILT FORD TOUGH" WINNERS

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Arizona coaches selected QB SHERDRICK BONNER as one of last week's "Built Ford Tough" Players of the Game. The "Built Ford Tough" Award is a national recognition award given after every game to the player or players on each team best demonstrating determination and toughness in that game. The award honors the players who made a game-saving tackle or score-saving tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on either side of the ball. SHERDRICK BONNER led the Rattlers past the Rush last week (52-41) and helped improve the team's record (6-1). He threw for five TDs (19-30-212) and established an outstanding 18-point lead early in the third period. Up to five players who display the "get-it-done" kind of attitude are honored by each team every week. A point system is maintained on the league's official site, www.arenafootball.com, throughout the season that will culminate in the "Built Ford Tough" Man of the Year, a player who will win a Ford Truck at the end of the season. Here is a list of this week's winners.

WEEK SIX TEAM-BY-TEAM WINNERS

Arizona: Chris Horn, Randy Gatewood, Sherdrick Bonner, Wendall Gaines, Ricky Parker
Buffalo: Carols James, Corey Johnson
Carolina: John Fitzgerald, Brian Schmitz, Aaron Bailey, Cory Fleming
Chicago: Antonio Chatman
Dallas: Bernard Holsey
Detroit: Chuck Winters, Harry Deligianis, Kelvin Kinney, Kevin Scott, Ty Grovesteen
Georgia: Darryl Hammond, Mike Lawson, L.C. Stevens, Scott Thomas
Grand Rapids: Gary Compton, Corey Mayfield, Travis McDonald, Israel Raybon, Steve Smith
Indiana: Evan Hlavacek, Rich Young, Dejuan Alfonso, Shawn Foreman
Los Angeles: Chad Dukes, Greg Hopkins, Kevin Ingram, Chris Jackson, Tony Plantin
New Jersey: Jay McDonagh, Damon Mason, Mike Horacek
New York: Robert Stewart, Danny Kannell, Carl Succo, Donvetis Franklin, Steve Papin
Orlando: Jay Gruden, B.J. Cohen
San Jose: Clevan Thomas, James Williams, Anthony Cobbs, Darrin Kenney
Tampa Bay: Corey Sawyer
Toronto: Charlie Davidson, Luke Leverson, Damian Harrell, Anthony Hicks, Donald Dinkins

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ARENA HEROES: IN THE COMMUNITY

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CHICAGO

May 28 - Rush lineman TONY BOWICK will speak to fifth grade graduates of the D.A.R.E. program in Summit, Ill.

May 28 - Chicago's A. J. BLAZEK, CORNELIUS BONNER, and JAIME MCGOURTY plan to play "Bingo" with several children at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. "Bingo with the Chicago Rush" will be broadcast over a closed circuit television system throughout the rooms of the hospital in order to share with the children who are unable to attend.

May 29 - Rush lineman A.J. BLAZEK will speak to graduates of the Clarendon Hills, Ill. D.A.R.E. program.

May 30 - Chicago DS CEDRIC WALKER plans to speak to the graduates of another fifth grade D.A.R.E. class in Summit, Ill.

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NEW JERSEY

May 30 -- Team mascot "Gladius" will attend a party to benefit students of the Bayonne D.A.R.E. programs at Bayonne Ice Rink in Bayonne, N.J.

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ORLANDO

May 30 -- "Fitness is Fun," the Orlando Predators grassroots initiative to teach the importance of physical fitness to students (grades 1-12), will make a visit to Sports Denominator on International Drive this Thursday. The event is open to the public. The program is headed by AFL Hall of Famer and former Orlando Predators great HERKIE WALLS.

May 31 -- In a season-long promotion, the Orlando Predators are donating $25 for each touchdown scored during home games to its official charity - Edgewood Children's Home. To date, the Predators have scored 20 touchdowns at home this season, resulting in $500 going to Edgewood.

May 31 -- More than 100 children will be guests of the Predators at TD Waterhouse Centre this Saturday, when Orlando hosts Southern Division rival, the Carolina Cobras. The Preds are donating the tickets to Orange County's Department of Health and Family Services to allow youth to attend the contest without charge.

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ARENAFOOTBALL.COM WEB POLL RESULTS

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Q: AT THIS POINT IN THE SEASON, WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE LEADING CANDIDATE FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HONORS? * DIALLEO BURKS (Dallas) - 76% * CLEVAN THOMAS (San Jose) - 8% * ANTONIO STANLEY (Orlando) - 6% * ORSHAWANTE BRYANT (Arizona) - 4% * DENNISON ROBINSON (New Jersey) - 2% * MIKE FURREY (New York) - 2% * Other - 2%

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 28, 2002


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