L.A. Avengers trade for Jeroid Johnson
February 25, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Addressing a pressing need, the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League have acquired defensive specialist Jeroid Johnson from the Las Vegas Gladiators as part of a three-way deal that also includes the expansion Philadelphia Soul, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
The Avengers triggered the deal by sending offensive/defensive lineman Mike Ulufale to the Soul, who then shipped kicker Brian Gowins to the Gladiators.
In their last game, the Avengers played without both of the defensive specialists they began the season with. Damen Wheeler remains out of action for at least another week while on the injured reserve list with a hamstring pull and Cornelius Coe is no longer with the team after being indicted in federal court last week, in conjunction with an investigation in Michigan.
Johnson (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) had been with the Gladiator organization since 2000, when the team played in East Rutherford, N.J., and was known as the New Jersey Red Dogs. In his five seasons in the AFL, he has 208 tackles, 48 pass break-ups and 22 interceptions, including three that have been returned for touchdowns. Johnson also caught 36 passes for 320 yards during the first two years of his career and has returned 33 kickoffs for 471 yards.
Last season, Johnson was selected as Las Vegas' "Most Valuable Player" after setting a team record with eight interceptions and breaking up 17 passes (both marks ranked him at No. 5 in the AFL). He also finished third on the Gladiators with 56 tackles, despite missing three games with an injury.
During his collegiate career at Oklahoma State University, Johnson earned second team All-Big Eight honors and was a two-time "Big Eight Player of the Week." He was also an All-America sprinter on the Cowboy track & field team and once clocked a 4.27 in the 40-yard dash.
Born on March 20, 1974, Johnson graduated from Alfred Lawless High School in New Orleans, La. He enjoys listening to music and traveling. In the offseason he coaches and serves as a mentor to at-risk children.
Johnson will make his Avenger debut on Monday, March 1, when the Georgia Force pay a visit to STAPLES Center. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Net 2.
Season ticket packages and single-game seats can be purchased by calling 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 25, 2004
- Top guns battle in the Snakepit on NBC this Sunday - AFL I
- Philadelphia Soul acquire All-Arena OL/DL Mike Ulufale - Philadelphia Soul
- Gladiators acquire kicker Brian Gowins - Las Vegas Gladiators
- L.A. Avengers trade for Jeroid Johnson - Los Angeles Avengers
- New Orleans VooDoo Wednesday Notes - New Orleans VooDoo
- Gruden, Predators to host first partners meeting prior to Indiana game - Orlando Predators
- Indiana Firebirds game notes - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Heisman Trophy runner-up brought in by Rampage - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- Record returns for Rush to Read - Chicago Rush
- New Orleans VooDoo game notes - New Orleans VooDoo
- Cobras Team With Borders Books In Support Of CMS - Carolina Cobras
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
