Lightning Welcomes Veteran Quarterback Chad Elliott

Published on February 8, 2008 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league have been assigned veteran free-agent QB Chad Elliott by the af2 league office, Lightning head coach Doug Murray announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Chad is undoubtedly one of our biggest signings in franchise history," said Murray. He brings legitimate arena and overall football experience to our team. He is a leader and well-respected throughout the league and its sparked excitement throughout our team with his addition. We're excited about the tools he brings to make a great impact in the postseason."

Elliott, a native of Grass Valley, Calif. will be entering his seventh season of professional football after a heralded career at local-area Sacramento Grant (Calif.) High, where he threw 48 touchdown passes and just two interceptions as a 1996 senior before launching his pro career with the Bakersfield Blitz and the Macon Knights.

The 6-foot-2, 208-pound signal-caller has played in 76 career professional games and has completed 1,491 pass attempts for 17,066 career yards, ranking second best in af2 history for both categories. He has thrown for 315 touchdown passes - fourth best on the af2 career charts - while only throwing 72 interceptions. Elliott's successes have led to a career passer rating of 102.89.

Last season, Elliott became only the second player in the history of the af2 to throw for over 16,000 career yards. He also joined the exclusive 300 touchdown pass club, which only has four other members.

Elliott appeared in 11 games with Bakersfield last season where he completed 181 of 288 pass attempts for 38 touchdowns, including a long of 45 yards. Additionally, Elliott threw for an average of 172.5 yards per game en route to 103.31 passer rating.

Elliott's finest professional season came in his 2002 rookie season with the Bakersfield Blitz as he played in fifteen of the teams sixteen games, completing 323 of 510 passes while throwing a career-best 70 touchdown tosses. Additionally, he ranked fifth in the af2 with 3,725 passing yards while averaging a career best 248.3 yards per game. His 323 completions ranked second in the league and his 70 touchdown passes ranked him fourth. Elliott's 109.8 pass rating and his 3,748 total offensive yards were both fifth-best in the league.

"It's really exciting to come back, close to home nearby Grass Valley and Grant High - it will be fun to come back and play in front of the home crowd that grew up watching me play," said Elliott. "Coach Murray was a huge influence in convincing me about the benefits in playing here. It was a no-brainer when you consider how close it was to home. Our relationship started last year and when the time came to make my playing decision, Stockton was the best choice out of anybody in the af2."

Elliott began his college career at Arizona State University (NCAA) before transferring to American River Junior College in Sacramento and finally ending up at Syracuse University (NCAA) in 2000. While attending Arizona State, Elliott appeared in nine games which included one start, completing 39 passes for 365 yards and one touchdown for the Sun Devils.

In the 1999 season at American River Junior College, Elliott completed 168 passes for 2,483 yards and nine touchdowns while also rushing for 186 yards and three scores.

The Lightning returns to play for the third season in Stockton beginning March 28, taking the road against the Tri-Cities Fever. The 2008 Lightning home opener is Saturday, April 12 against the Boise Burn, beginning at 7:00 p.m. from Stockton Arena.

Season tickets for the 2008 Lightning regular season are on sale now. For more information on season tickets, merchandise, or other information, please call the Lightning at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonlightning.com.

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