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AFL Cleveland Gladiators

John Dutton Named 2012 Al Lucas AFL Pulse Hero Award Winner

August 6, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Cleveland Gladiators News Release


CLEVELAND - Gladiators quarterback John Dutton has been awarded the Al Lucas AFL Pulse Hero Award by the Arena Football League office today. This marks the second time in his 12-year AFL career that Dutton has earned the recognition for his outstanding play and charitable contributions after he received the honor in 2008 as a member of the Colorado Crush.

The Al Lucas AFL Pulse Hero Award is presented annually to the player who makes the most significant contribution in the community and the game of Arena Football. The award was established in honor of the late Los Angeles Avengers lineman Al Lucas, who exemplified excellence in both.

"We are so proud of John's humanitarian efforts and hard work on the football field not only this past season, but during his entire time in Cleveland and in the AFL," said Gladiators Senior Vice President/COO Scott Woodruff. "He truly exemplifies the ideal commitment a professional athlete should make to his craft and community."

At the basis of their philanthropic endeavors, Dutton and his wife, Terina, founded "Heavenly Hope Ministries" in 2005. The organization's efforts are focused in Ethiopia and Uganda, where they do relief work, own three orphanages and support a family sponsorship program.

Dutton's personal program is called "Athletes for the Nations" and it includes three components. First, Dutton tries to bring professional athletes to Africa in hopes they can use their resources and influence to help. The second component is the "JD Touchdown Club." Dutton encourages fans and the community to sponsor him by making a donation for every touchdown he scores. The club has raised $2,825 to date. The final component expands on the JD Touchdown Club idea. Any athlete, at any level, can reach out to the community by requesting donations for goals, touchdowns, runs scored, etc. All of the proceeds go to the Heavenly Hope Ministries.

Last year, the ministry raised approximately $300,000 total. Dutton has gone to visit Africa each of the past six years and has plans to go on two more visits this offseason. Dutton and his wife have adopted two of their sons, Solomon and Miki, from Africa.

Dutton played in 16 games this season, completing 364-of-580 passes (62.8%) for 4,044 yards, 78 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He has completed 3,249-of-5,178 career passing attempts for 37,611 yards and 747 touchdown passes, ranking him sixth in the AFL all-time in each of those categories.

The Cleveland Gladiators are part of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and also owned by a group led by Cavaliers Majority Owner and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert. The group also owns and operates the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League playing at Quicken Loans Arena and the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League playing in nearby Canton, Ohio at the Canton Civic Center.

Season tickets for the 2013 Gladiators season are on sale now! For tickets and more information, call 216.420.2222, visit www.clevelandgladiators.com or head to any Northeast Ohio Discount Drug Mart location.



Arena Football League Stories from August 6, 2012


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