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'Leaping Legend' to Join the Command - WR Keith Eloi Headed to KC

April 19, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - The Kansas City Command added rookie wide receiver Keith Eloi (5-10, 190, Nebraska-Omaha) to the roster, the team announced Thursday. Elio (pron. EE-loy) was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft and most recently played for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League. Eloi is also a YouTube sensation for his vertical leaping skills, and has been referred to as the 'leaping legend'.

"We obviously knew he was an unbelievable athlete," coach Danton Barto said. "But we have found out he is a very good football player. He runs good routes, has good hands and really good speed. He's got all the tools you look for in a wide receiver. We expect big things from him."

Eloi earned a starting spot at the University of Nebraska-Omaha during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. His best game in 2007 was a seven-catch, 123-yard performance at Minnesota-Duluth that included a 32-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter. He also led the team with a 29-yard average on kickoff returns, including an 80-yarder for a score at Central Washington.

Originally from Naples, Florida, Eloi was a two-time junior college All-American at William Rainey Harper College in the Chicago area. He had 79 catches for 1,001 yards and nine TDs as a freshman and 44 catches for 655 yards and 10 TDs as a sophomore in 2005 under coach John Eliasik. He was on two national title teams and earned all-conference, all-region and all-american honors both years.

With just a few days of practice with the Command, Eloi is not expected to play against San Jose Saturday but will be available going forward.

"We're probably going to give him a week then I think he'll be ready," Barto said.

His YouTube fame is based on his vertical jumping skills. Over 350,000 people have viewed him jumping into the back of a pickup with the tailgate up and leaping backwards out of a pool in three-feet-deep water.

Truck video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?vYGwFCMPO29s

Pool video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?vw9P4r_E1jXY&featurerelated

The Command are coming off a bye week and will play at San Jose this Saturday, April 21 at 9:30pm CDT. The game will air on KSMO-TV 62 Sunday at 1pm and live on Sports Radio 810 WHB.

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