L.A. Avengers sign Curtis Marsh and Jermaine Benoit
March 18, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Curtis Marsh, who played three seasons in the National Football League, and Jermaine Benoit have signed with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
In other transactions, defensive specialist Wasswa Serwanga (hamstring) and wide receiver/defensive back Russell Shaw (ankle) were placed on the injured reserve list. In addition, offensive/defensive lineman Kyle Benn was signed to the practice squad.
Marsh (6-foot-2, 205 pounds), who will be a wide receiver/linebacker with the Avengers, played two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-96) and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1997). In his NFL career, he caught nine passes for 141 yards, returned 15 kickoffs for 323 yards, and made two tackles on special teams. Marsh was selected by Jacksonville in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL Draft (219th overall pick).
In 2000, Marsh made his Canadian Football League debut with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and had an outstanding season, catching 102 passes for 1,506 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games of action. He also rushed for a touchdown, made four tackles on special teams and was selected to the CFL All-Star team. In 2001, Marsh played in only 10 games, but still finished with 39 catches for 605 yards and a team-high five touchdowns.
After graduating from Simi Valley (Calif.) High School, Marsh split his collegiate career between the University of Utah and Moorpark (Calif.) Community College. As a senior in 1994, he led the Utes with 61 receptions for 859 yards and 11 touchdowns (the third most in school history). At Moorpark, Marsh was an honorable mention All-America selection in 1991, grabbing 47 passes for 1,011 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Benoit (6-3, 255), who will be a fullback/linebacker with the Avengers, spent the 1999 and 2000 seasons as a defensive lineman with the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe. Prior to going overseas, he spent the 1999 preseason with the Detroit Lions. After his return, Benoit participated in training camp with the St. Louis Rams.
He got a small taste of the AFL last season, signing with the Tampa Bay Storm on Aug. 1, 2002. Benoit was on the 24-man roster for the Storm's playoff game versus the San Jose SaberCats two days later, but he was not activated.
Benoit was a collegiate teammate of Avenger wide receiver/defensive back Siaha Burley at the University of Central Florida (Orlando, Fla.), where he played both defensive end and linebacker. As a senior in 1998, Benoit finished with 70 tackles and 10.5 sacks. In his four-year career with the Golden Knights, he had 159 tackles and 20.5 sacks.
Born in Croydon, England, Benoit and his family immigrated to he United States when he was 16-years old.
The Avengers (5-2) host the Grand Rapids Rampage on Sunday, March 23, at STAPLES Center. The game kicks off at noon (Pacific) and will be televised on Fox Sports Net 2.
For Avenger ticket information, please call 1-888-AVENGERS or log on to www.laavengers.com.
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