L.A. Avengers sign AFL veteran Anthony Derricks
October 13, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES - Anthony Derricks, who has returned 17 kickoffs for touchdowns in his Arena Football League career, has signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Derricks (6-feet, 190 pounds), who will be entering his seventh AFL season in January, will play defensive specialist for the Avengers.
While playing for six previous teams (New England, Toronto, Chicago, Colorado, Indiana and Tampa Bay), he has racked up 349 tackles, 58 pass breakups, 19 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.
"Anthony is not only a veteran defensive specialist, he is also one of the top return men in Arena Football," said Hodgkiss, who has guided the Avengers into the playoffs in each of his previous four seasons at the helm. "Our return game is definitely an area that we wanted to upgrade and we feel that we got one of the best guys to do that. Anthony is an explosive player who will help our team in a lot of different ways."
The Avengers were the only team in the AFL last season to not have at least one kickoff return for a touchdown. Although Los Angeles has a reputation for being one of the league's highest scoring teams, the franchise hasn't been as productive off the net, returning only seven kickoffs for touchdowns in its six seasons of play in the AFL.
As a rookie with the New England Sea Wolves, Derricks set an AFL single-game record with four kickoff returns for touchdowns versus the San Jose SaberCats on June 6, 2000. He had a total of 11 returns in that game for 336 yards (also still a single-game league record), including touchdown returns that covered 51, 54, 55 and 57 yards.
Derricks returned a career-high six kickoffs for scores in 2000, and also took two of his five interceptions back for touchdowns on his way to finishing second in the AFL's "Rookie of the Year" balloting. Current Avenger assistant head coach and director of player personnel Brent Winter was the special teams coordinator for the Sea Wolves that season.
"I've heard a lot about the Avenger organization and I'm excited about coming to Los Angeles," Derricks said. "I'll be coming out there to do what I do, and help the Avengers do what they are trying to do, which is win a championship. I had one of my best seasons, returning kicks, when Brent Winter was my special teams coordinator. So, Avenger fans better get ready, because I'll be jumping into the stands to party with them after I score."
Derricks' career totals include 273 kickoff returns for 5,901 yards and 17 touchdowns (sixth all-time in league history, second among active players); 26 missed field goal returns for 453 yards; 19 interception returns for 385 yards and four scores; and three fumble returns, all for touchdowns, covering 24 yards.
Having played the wide receiver/defensive back position in recent seasons, Derricks also has 34 receptions for 376 yards and two touchdowns in his AFL career.
He played for current Avenger defensive coordinator Mike Wilpolt when they were both with the Indiana Firebirds in 2004. Derricks finished that campaign with 93 tackles and 19 pass breakups, which were both career highs.
Last season, he played in 14 games for the Tampa Bay Storm, finishing with 25.5 tackles (fourth on the team), six pass breakups and two interceptions.
Born on Dec. 17, 1976, Derricks was a four-year letterman at Mississippi State University. As a junior in 1997, he returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown against Auburn.
While attending Forest (Miss.) High School, Derricks was a member of the football, basketball, baseball and track & field teams. His cousin and high school teammate, Todd Pinkston, is currently in his sixth season as a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles (currently on injured reserve). During the offseason, Derricks still resides in Forest, Miss., with his 11-year-old daughter Antia.
Season ticket packages for the upcoming 2006 campaign are on sale now. Please call 1-888-AVENGERS for more information or visit the team's official Website at www.laavengers.com.
The Avengers averaged 12,165 fans at STAPLES Center for eight regular-season home games during the 2005 season.
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