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Newcomers Headline 2002 Rampage Award Winners

July 22, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


Grand Rapids, MI - The ArenaBowl XV Champion Grand Rapids Rampage on Monday announced their fifth annual player awards. Each season, Rampage players cast their votes for the team's Most Valuable Player, along with the Ironman and Lineman of the Year, while the Rampage staff bestows its Coaches' Award.

Offensive specialist Steve Smith (5-8, 183, Utah State) was named the team's MVP. The former Utah State Aggie burst onto to the AFL scene by catching 72 balls for 872 yards and a team-high 26 touchdowns in only 10 games. Smith helped the Rampage to a 4-1 record during the month of May by catching 52 passes for 648 yards and a team record 20 touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named the AFL's Co-Offensive Player of the Month. He was also named game MVP on three different occasions, and is a nominee for AFL Offensive Player of the Year, Don't Blink! Player of the Year, Breakout Player of the Year, and All-Arena.

"Steve Smith has made a great impact on our team this year," said Michael Trigg, Rampage head coach and director of football operations. "When healthy, he can score at any moment the ball is in his hands. He is a necessary ingredient in our pursuit of a second championship. What a great honor bestowed on a man who has missed almost half the season due to injury. His teammates think that much of him."

Fullback/linebacker Travis McDonald (6-3, 250, Missouri) was chosen as the team's Ironman of the Year. With Michael Baker, three-time Ironman award winner, out much of the season due to injury, the fifth-year player out of Missouri quickly stepped in as one of the team's best two-way players. McDonald, who played in all 14 regular season games, ran for 109 yards and four touchdowns on offense, while adding 18 tackles and a new team record 5.5 sacks. He also garnered Ironman of the Game honors three times, and is a candidate for AFL Ironman of the Year, and the All-Arena and All-Ironman Teams.

"Travis McDonald has been a great free agent acquisition that has made great plays on both sides of the ball all year long. Having to play fullback/linebacker is the toughest position on the field and to stay healthy and make plays for fourteen weeks says a great deal," said Trigg. "Travis has the ability to play down at defensive end and up at the linebacker spot equally well and poses a constant threat every snap. Couple this ability to run the football and block, and Travis completes the package."

Lineman Corey Mayfield (6-3, 331, Oklahoma) was chosen as the team's Lineman of the Year. This marks the second time in Mayfield's Rampage career that he has been bestowed this award (1999). Despite suffering a broken bone in his hand late in the season, the former Sooner amassed 13.5 tackles, 5.5 for loss, seven quarterback hurries and three sacks (T-2nd on team). The 31-year-old Texas native is a candidate for AFL Lineman of the Year and the All-Arena Team.

"Corey Mayfield, a great pass protector and rusher, has been the heartbeat of the Rampage line for four years," Trigg said. "His intensity is matched only by his toughness. His willingness to play with a broken hand and refusing to miss a game speaks volumes about the commitment and desire this man has to winning and repeating as a champion."

Finally, fullback/linebacker Chris Ryan (6-2, 300, Clark-Atlanta) received the Rampage Coaches' Award, which honors a player for his performance both on and off the field. Ryan earned the prestigious Coaches' Award after completing his most successful season as a professional. The former Clark University standout broke his own team records in rushing yards (133) and touchdowns (12). He also broke Basil Proctor's four-year old attempts record (49). On the defensive side of the ball, Ryan chipped in 25 tackles, six quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack. Ryan, 29, is a candidate for AFL Ironman of the Year, and All-Arena and All-Ironman Teams.

"Chris Ryan is one of the most unheralded players in the AFL, who produces consistent, All-Arena production year in and year out," said Trigg. "Chris, a hard worker and one of the most popular players with his teammates, is naturally gifted with his size and speed to dominate opponents when he carries the ball and rushes the passer. He is nearly unstoppable in a one-on-one situation around the goal line. As coaches, Chris embodies the toughness, strength, speed, and desire we look for. We salute his effort with us for the past four seasons as our choice for player of the year."



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 22, 2002


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