L.A. Avengers sign wide receiver Chris Cole
November 15, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Wide receiver Chris Cole has signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Cole (6-foot-1, 200 pounds), who spent four seasons with the Denver Broncos, inked a one-year deal that will keep him in Los Angeles through the upcoming 2007 season.
"With his combination of speed, strength and body control, Chris has the potential to be a very good receiver in our league," said Hodgkiss, who has guided the Avengers into the playoffs in four of his five seasons at the helm. "In addition, he has a lot of experience on kick returns in the NFL and we are always looking at that since it's such an important factor in our league."
Cole's most productive season with the Broncos occurred in 2001, when he played in all 16 games and finished with nine receptions for 128 yards. He also tied an all-time single-season Broncos record with 48 kickoff returns and ranked third in the AFC with a 23.5-yard average.
In his 35-game NFL career, Cole started two games, caught 12 passes for 164 yards, returned 89 kickoffs for 2,105 yards and made 17 tackles on special teams.
Cole was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft (70th overall pick).
On April 7, 2004, Cole signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders, but did not make the team's regular-season roster. In 2005, he spent the offseason and preseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cole was a four-year letterman (1996-99) at Texas A&M University. He caught 89 passes for 1,383 yards and eight touchdowns during his time in College Station, which included three bowl games. Cole's 89 career receptions still rank at No. 10 on the school's all-time list. As a junior in 1998, he led the Aggies in catches (38), receiving yards (667) and touchdowns (five).
Born on Nov. 12, 1977, Cole attended West Orange-Stark High School (Orange, Texas), where he caught 53 passes for 860 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, leading his team the Class 4A state semifinals. He also was a member of the Mustang track & field team and qualified to compete in the Texas State Championships in the long jump and triple jump.
The Avengers' 2007 schedule is expected to be announced shortly.
Fifty dollar deposits for Avenger season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center, are now being accepted at 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
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