Magic Benton Returns To Florida Firecats
June 27, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
Estero, FL - The "Magic" is coming back to Germain Arena. The Florida Firecats have been assigned the rights to Magic Benton, the team announced today.
Benton, who will become the only player to play for the Firecats during all eight years of the team's existence, currently holds a number of team records including career points (1,020), receptions (584), receiving yards (7,698) and receiving touchdowns (165). Magic remains the af2's career leader in receiving touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. Since he retired, George Williams who played with the Boise Burn earlier this season passed Benton on the league's all time scoring (1,084-1,020) and touchdowns list (179-167).
Benton should provide a boost to a Firecats offense that's currently ranked 25th in the league in total offense (230.5 yds/g) and 18th in scoring offense (45.6 points per game).
"I'm very excited to be rejoining the Firecats," Benton said. "I've been itching for it for a little while and finally that day will be here on Saturday. I'm ready to go."
"Getting Magic back is big for our team offensively," Firecats Head Coach Kevin Bouis said. "He will step right in as if he had never left."
Also today, the Firecats announced they had been assigned the rights to offensive linemen Tony Tella and Chad Motte.
Tella, a 6'4" 300 pound lineman, played college football at the University of Miami where he started 23 games during his junior and senior seasons. He was named an All Atlantic Coast Conference Honorable Mention after his senior season. In 2006, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants. Tella has also spent time with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League.
"It is great to get a player of Tony's caliber," Bouis said. "He is a former Hurricane who spent some time with Giants. He will help solidify our offensive line."
As will Motte, a 6'4" 300 pound lineman out of Georgia Southern. Motte played ten games with the Tennessee Valley Vipers during the 2007 season and was named a Division I-AA All-American in 2006.
To make room for the new additions, the Firecats placed quarterback David Malino, offensive lineman Thomas Bell and defensive back Greg Golden on recallable re-assignment.
Benton, Tella and Motte are all expected to be in uniform when the Firecats return to Germain Arena this Saturday, June 28th to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT. Call (239) 390-CATS (2287) today to reserve your seats! Visit the team online at www.FloridaFirecats.com.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from June 27, 2008
- Lightning strikes the Vipers 47-41 in OT - Alabama Vipers
- Thunder put out Fire - Mahoning Valley Thunder
- Week 14 Saturday Night Matchups - af2
- Magic Benton Returns To Florida Firecats - Florida Firecats
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.
