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Pair of AFL veterans added to Destroyers roster

October 25, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers have signed Arena Football League veterans, fullback/linebackers Leroy Thompson and Chris Browning team president David Paitson announced today. The additions of Thompson and Browning are the 19th and 20th free-agent signings by the team.

Thompson (6-2, 270, Delaware State) has been in the AFL since 1996 when he began his career with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds. He spent nine seasons with the team, until the team ceased operations in 2004. He is the Firebirds all-time leader in rushing yards (913) and rushing touchdowns (54).

Along with veteran service in the league, Thompson also has an ArenaBowl championship to his name as he helped the Firebirds to a 59-48 victory over Orlando in ArenaBowl XIII in 1999. The following season, Thompson was second in the league in rushing (190) and tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (14), but missed the final two games due to injury. In 2002 he was named the AFL's "Built Ford Tough" Man of the Year.

Thompson spent time with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1994 and was invited to attend mini-camp with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996. In college, Thompson was a two-time all-Mid Eastern Athletic Conference selection and was named to the Associated Press and Kodak Division I-AA All-American Second Team.

Browning (6-2, 255, Western Michigan) will continue to be teammates with Thompson after spending the 2005 season with him in New Orleans. In three AFL seasons, Browning has rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. On defense he has recorded 6.5 tackles (3UT-7AT).

At Western Michigan, he was a four-year letter winner at defensive end where he played in 46 games and started in 28 of them. He had 167 career tackles, including 31 for a loss, and 14.5 sacks. He was named to the all-Mid-American Conference list twice, including first team honors in 2002.

Entering its fourth season in 2006, NBC will continue to broadcast the non-stop excitement of Arena Football each Sunday throughout the season. Check your local listings for the game in your area beginning on Sunday, Jan. 29 on the AFL on NBC.

Auditions for the Bombshells, the Destroyers' official dance team will begin 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Nationwide Arena. Columbus Destroyers season tickets for the 2006 season are now available by calling (614) 246-HITS or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com.

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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.

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