Lewis Named First-Team All-Arena
Published on August 1, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Blaze defensive end Michael Lewis has been named to the 2012 First-team All-Arena defensive squad, the Arena Football League Announced today. The honor marks the second-straight season in which Lewis has been recognized as an All-Arena performer, as he was also awarded second-team accolades in 2011.
Now in his third AFL season, Lewis (6-2, 250, Adrian) emerged as one of the League's premier defensive players in 2012. A tone setter for Utah's defense, Lewis set single-season franchise records by recording 12.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss, finishing third in the AFL in both categories. He paced a Blaze defensive line that racked up the third-highest sack total in the AFL with 33 on the season.
Lewis expressed his excitement while also citing a 2011 labrum injury in his shoulder that served as motivation throughout the season.
"This really means a lot to me," said Lewis. "Last year at this time, I was in a shoulder sling. I couldn't even brush my teeth. I wanted to come back strong and I really felt like I had something to prove. It's an unbelievable honor and I'm really thankful of my teammates, Coach [Ron] James, and everyone associated with the Blaze organization."
The sensational individual season by Lewis was highlighted by a Week 2 victory over the Iowa Barnstormers in which the Blaze defensive line set an Arena Football League record with 10 total sacks. In that contest, Lewis tied a single-game franchise mark with 3.0 sacks of his own.
In 2012, Lewis totaled 30.0 tackles with 12.5 sacks for minus 49 yards and 13.0 stops for losses totaling 51 yards. He added four quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, one interception, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. Lewis ranks second on the Utah Blaze all-time record list with 21.0 career sacks.
Arena Football League Stories from August 1, 2012
- DL Joe Sykes and LB Francis Maka Earn All-Arena Honors - San Jose SaberCats
- Lewis Named First-Team All-Arena - Utah Blaze
- Barnstormers' Simpson Named to All-AFL First Team - Iowa Barnstormers
- Jackson and Kellem Land on All-Arena Defensive Teams - New Orleans VooDoo
- Richardson, Robinson Named to All-Arena Team - Philadelphia Soul
- 2012 AFL All-Arena Defense Announced - Spokane Shock
- AFL Announces All-Arena Defensive Teams - AFL
- Sharks' Robbins, Berry Earn All-Arena Nods - Jacksonville Sharks
- Official Watch Parties to be Held at Two Hooters Locations on Friday - Jacksonville Sharks
- Team Vick Foundation Donates Soul Tickets to Police Athletic League - Philadelphia Soul
- Blaze vs Rattlers to be Televised on KMYU - Utah Blaze
- VooDoo Notch Record-Setting Season in 2012 - New Orleans VooDoo
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.
