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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Philadelphia's Mike Brown Named Al Lucas Hero Award Winner

July 17, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - Philadelphia Soul DB MIKE BROWN (6-0, 195, Charleston Southern) was selected as the Al Lucas Hero Award winner for 2008. Keeping in the spirit of fallen Arena Football League veteran AL LUCAS, Brown was chosen as the player who made the most significant contribution to his community and the game of Arena Football. The award was created in honor of Lucas, the late Los Angeles Avengers lineman, who believed in both giving back to his community and growing the AFL.

Brown has made an impact with the Philadelphia community both on and off the field in each of his three seasons with the Soul. Whether attending community events, donating jerseys and autographed items for fundraisers or visiting schools to speak with children, Brown was a role model.

This season, however, Brown stepped up his involvement and was an integral part of two significant campaigns. In 2008, the Soul formed a partnership with Smooth Jazz WJJZ 97.5 and the National Liberty Museum to help further a "Diversity and Inclusion" initiative. The Soul also launched a program called "P.E.A.C.E. Through Music," (Providing Educational Awareness to Communities Everywhere). The program is designed to promote diversity through education about conflict resolution and the understanding and acceptance of other cultures.

The "Diversity and Inclusion" initiative was spearheaded by Brown and WJJZ Program Director Mike Tozzi -- "Mike & Michael" -- and was comprised of four main components:

"Speak from your Soul" Essay Contest awarded two $1,000 academic scholarships for students in grades 4-8, based on the content and poignancy of essays and participation in the program; Educational forums at the National Liberty Museum with "Mike & Michael" interacting with students from area schools; Attendance by groups of "P.E.A.C.E. Through Music" students at Soul home games; A WJJZ on-air awareness campaign and online resource center (www.975wjjz.com) to promote all of the program's themes.

Mike & Michael spoke at local schools and visited groups attending the National Liberty Museum to speak about diversity and introduce the initiative. They joined together on the radio to speak about the program and hosted essay writers at Soul games. Hundreds of essays were submitted, and the two winners each received their scholarships at a Soul home game.

Brown led the Soul in kickoff returns (60), kickoff return yards (1,105) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (3) as Philadelphia posted a League-best 13-3 record.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 17, 2008


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