McEntyre traded to Kansas City
Published on June 28, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
Orlando, Fla. (June 28, 2006) -- The Kenny McEntyre chapter in Orlando Predators history ended on Wednesday when the team traded the former three-time "Defensive Player of the Year" to the Kansas City Brigade for future considerations. The trade will be completed pending final approval from the Arena Football League.
McEntyre leaves the Predators as the team's all-time leader in games played (138), consecutive games played (117), career tackles (525.5), interceptions (63) and pass defenses (134). His interception and pass defense totals are also Arena Football League career records.
He came to the Orlando Predators in Week 13 of the 1998 season and had an immediate impact on the team. Inserted into the starting line-up during the final week of the regular season, McEntyre came alive in the playoffs - knocking down six passes and grabbing three interceptions in three games to lead the Predators to their first ArenaBowl championship.
It was the first of three consecutive trips to the ArenaBowl for the Predators, who picked up a second world championship in 2000. The 2000 season also marked the first year McEntyre was named to the first unit of the All-Arena team. He had a league-leading 11 interceptions and 16 pass defenses during the regular season and added three more interceptions in the post-season. It also marked the first of three "ADT Defensive Player of the Year" awards for McEntyre.
In all, McEntyre would be named to the first unit of the All-Arena team six consecutive years (2000-05), be named to the All-Arena 15-Year team, and would win six AFL "Defensive Player of the Week" awards.
Nicknamed "The Glove" for his tight man-to-man coverages, McEntyre had a penchant for delivering the big play. Although he played defensive specialist his entire career, McEntyre still managed to score 15 career touchdowns-the most ever by a pure AFL defensive specialist. Twelve of the touchdowns came on interception returns. Orlando was 12-2 in games where McEntyre scored a touchdown.
McEntyre was well-known in the Orlando community. Prior to the 2006 season, he created and ran a golf tournament for Hurricane Katrina relief, spearheaded a Christmas drive to collect money, toys and supplies for the Salvation Army's Home for Women and Children, participated in a school supply drive for disadvantaged children, worked with the Children's Miracle Network and participated in an education and teamwork initiative called "US Army Boot Camp" at area high schools. Those and other works earned McEntyre the prestigious "Al Lucas Hero Award," which recognizes one Arena Football League player annually for excellence both on the field and inside his community. McEntyre was the league's first recipient of the award, which is presented each year at the ArenaBowl Awards Ceremony.
The trade was precipitated by salary cap issues the Predators were facing for the 2007 season. "All good things have to come to an end, but this was an extremely difficult decision by our organization," Predators head coach Jay Gruden said. "It is sad to see Kenny go. He played a huge role in both of our ArenaBowl wins and the success we have enjoyed over the last nine seasons. He is probably the best defensive back ever to play Arena Football. We certainly thank him for all his contributions to this franchise and we wish him well."
"Football is a business and this was basically a business decision," McEntyre added. "I will always consider Orlando my home and want to thank the Predators organization and especially their fans for a great nine-year run."
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 28, 2006
- Force Bolster Roster for 2007 - Georgia Force
- Brigade makes splash with first move of offseason - Kansas City Brigade
- McEntyre traded to Kansas City - Orlando Predators
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