Nighthawks Sign June
September 9, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Omaha Nighthawks News Release
OMAHA, NE - Thursday, September 9 - On Wednesday, the day before the Omaha Nighthawks were required to have their roster cut down to 52, the team made some last-minute acquisitions to bolster their lineup to be as strong as possible for the fast-approaching season opener on Sept. 24 against the Hartford Colonials.
Headlining the group of three new players is former Super Bowl winning Pro Bowler Cato June. The linebacker was the leading tackler on the Indianapolis Colts' 2006-07 Super Bowl championship team. A sixth-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Michigan, June recorded 498 tackles and 12 interceptions in his seven-year NFL career. In addition to the Colts, June spent time recently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans and Chicago Bears.
The Nighthawks also bolstered their offense by adding two fresh faces on that side of the ball. Wide receiver Devard Darling was an eighth round selection of the Nighthawks in the 2010 UFL Draft. After a standout career at Washington State, Darling was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Darling snagged 20 catches for 331 yards and three touchdowns in his Ravens' career. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Up front, the Nighthawks added talented center Donovan Raiola to the mix. The former Wisconsin Badger is the younger brother of former Nebraska Cornhusker and current Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola. Donovan Raiola, at 6-2, 293, has been a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his five NFL years.
More roster additions are expected to be announced today in addition to the mandatory cuts to get the roster down to 52 players. Nighthawks' General Manager Rick Mueller has made it clear through his transactions throughout camp that bringing anything less than a UFL Championship to Omaha is underachieving.
The Nighthawks' season kicks off at home against the Hartford Colonials on Friday, Sept. 24 at Rosenblatt Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CST, live on HDNet. Season tickets are available from UFL-Football.com and by calling (402) 403-3776.
United Football League Stories from September 9, 2010
- UFL Rosters Cut to 52 Players - UFL 1
- Hartford Colonials Release 12 Players - Hartford Colonials
- Tuskers Release 14 to Get Down to UFL 52-Man Roster - Florida Tuskers
- UFL Transactions - UFL 1
- Omaha Nighthawks Announce 52-Man Roster - Omaha Nighthawks
- Nighthawks Sign June - Omaha Nighthawks
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