No Place Like Home for the "Nighthawk" Daniels
February 1, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (February 1, 2011) - Three-time Defensive MVP Damian ¬ÅNighthawk ¬Â Daniels of the defending SIFL Champion Columbus Lions has re-signed with his hometown club opting not to join the AFL's Cleveland Gladiators.
After grabbing championship glory in 2010, it was announced in early October that Damian Daniels (5'10 175, West Georgia) would be making the jump to the next level venturing into the AFL while leaving behind the indoor game that has witnessed him become its all-time interceptions leader with 55 (not including playoffs) along with the distinction of winning the Defensive MVP trophy in three different leagues (2007-WIFL, 2009-AIFA, 2010-SIFL).
But no one accounted for ¬ÅNighthawk ¬Â choosing an alternate route in achieving his personal goals, a goal in finishing his teaching degree. Already a varsity football and basketball assistant coach at Brookstone, Daniels was tasked with a similar decision at the start of last season but elected not to join the AFL's Orlando Predators.
The cornerstone of a defense that topped the SIFL in scoring defense (34 points/game), Damian led the Lions both in tackles (33.5) along with a league-leading 14 interceptions. ¬ÅNighthawk ¬Â brings much need veteran presence to a 2011 defense that right now only has two members returning from last year's league-leading squad.
¬ÅThe decision to stay home is definitely a self-less act on his part as Damian feels he has other goals in mind like becoming a coach, ¬Â says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. ¬ÅWe obviously take pride in our athletes making jumps to the next level, but it's an even bigger distinction when our players decide to become role models. ¬Â
In other club news, despite re-signing ¬ÅNighthawk ¬Â the Lions signed their ninth defensive back of the off-season in former Central Michigan standout Kirkston Edwards (6'1 195). Appearing in over 50 games, Edwards was known as a physical corner for the Chippewas grabbing 177 tackles (114 solo). At his Pro Day back in March of last year, Edwards ran the 40 yard dash in 4.37 to 4.42 seconds, the short shuttle 4.23 seconds, and the 3-cone drill in 6.62 seconds along with 16 reps of 225.
¬ÅI had a first-hand look at Kirkston at the Orlando Predators tryout and was impressed, ¬Â claims Coach Gibson. ¬ÅIt's rare to find a DB with his size and speed that is extremely physical, he has the potential to fit well into our system. ¬Â
The Columbus Lions will begin their 2011 title defense on Sunday March 20th when they visit their new division rivals in the Huntsville Hammers. The home fans won't have to wait long to watch ¬ÅNighthawk ¬Â soar again as the Lions home opener falls on the following Sunday on March 27th at 4 p.m. against the Richmond Raiders.
For more information, call the Lions front office at 706-322-3336 and be sure to stay tuned to www.columbuslions.net.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from February 1, 2011
- Tarpons announce the signing of ALL SIFL Kicker - Mobile Bay Tarpons
- Fayetteville Force Signs DBs JeRome Mann and DeLeon Raynor - Fayetteville Force
- No Place Like Home for the "Nighthawk" Daniels - Columbus Lions
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