Nighthawks' Clarke Earns Week 13 Award
June 19, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Norfolk Nighthawks News Release
Norfolk, VA (June 19, 2002) - The league office of arenafootball2 announced yesterday that Nighthawks wide receiver/linebacker Jay Clarke was named the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week for his performance during Norfolk's 55-48 victory over Atlantic-Division leading Richmond (8-2).
While playing with two dislocated toes, Clarke recorded a team-high 6.5 tackles and was running down Speed players all night long with Clarke's biggest play coming towards the end of the first quarter. With his team down by two points, he chased down Richmond's Earl Hicks in the backfield and forced a fumble that teammate Desmond Washington returned 19 yards for a touchdown.
A three-year veteran of the Nighthawks (4-6), Clarke is the definition of hometown football. After attending I.C. Norcom in Portsmouth, Jay followed up with a stellar career at Hampton University. He has spent time in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League prior to coming home to play for af2's Nighthawks.
Clarke currently ranks as the Nighthawks all-time leader in tackles (117.0) and ranks second in interceptions (8). Thus far in 2002, Clarke has team-highs in both categories with 41.0 tackles and five interceptions. The latter is unofficially the most in af2 for a player at his WR/LB position. Many of the league leaders are defensive backs, but Clarke has learned to master the art of playing defense "inside the box" of arena football.
This is the first weekly award for Clarke in his af2 career. The Built Ford Tough Award recognizes the player demonstrating toughness and determination in a particular game.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from June 19, 2002
- Pioneers Dance Team To Hold Clinic - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
- Stealth Put Corse On Injured Reserve - Wichita Stealth
- 'NYS Lottery af2 Cup' on the Line - Rochester Brigade
- Rampage, Force Battle for Playoffs - af2
- Nighthawks' Clarke Earns Week 13 Award - Norfolk Nighthawks
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.
