Player Spotlights: EJ Underwood & Mike Tatum
March 31, 2014 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Marion Blue Racers News Release
EJ Underwood, Defensive Back 6'-1" 185 lbs
2014 is EJ's first season with the Blue Racers but he is an arena/indoor football veteran. To start off, after six games with Central Ohio's ONLY Pro Football Team, Underwood has recorded fifteen total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and one recovered fumble. He is also a team captain and plays a key role as a part of the tough defensive back group for the Blue Racers. Historically, EJ is well known for being a member of the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes National Championship Football Team.
After a few opportunities with NFL teams, EJ joined the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League in 2008. In 2009, he signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. 2010 marked Underwood's first season in the Continental Indoor Football League where he joined the Cincinnati Commandos in their CIFL Championship season. During that same season, he was named to All CIFL First Team as a defensive back. EJ then rejoined the Commandos in the 2012 Season where they won the 2012 Ultimate Indoor Football League Championship. Just last season, he played in the Indoor Football League with the Texas Revolution.
Mike Tatum, Quarterback/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver 5'-10" 170 lbs
Mike Tatum aka "The Weapon" is a longtime fan favorite in Marion, but has made his way around the indoor football world. Tatum began his indoor football career with the Marion Mayhem in 2009 but played for both the Mayhem and Fort Wayne Firehawks in the 2010 CIFL season. He was awarded 2010 CIFL Special Teams Player of the Year and named to the 2010 All CIFL First Team.
Mike joined the Blue Racers in the inaugural 2011 season and again won CIFL Special Teams Player of the Year honors while helping the team make it the 2011 CIFL Championship Game where they lost to the 2-time CIFL Champion Cincinnati Commandos. He led the team with 26 receptions for 310 yards and 11 touchdowns, 23 kickoff returns for 568 yards and two touchdowns, and accounted for two rushing and one passing touchdown.
These accomplishments were enough to earn him an opportunity to play in the Indoor Football League in 2012 where he played for the Everett Raptors in Washington State. In his first IFL season, he earned 1st Team ALL-IFL honors as a kick returner and was named 2012 IFL Special Teams Player of the Year. At the end of the 2012 IFL Season, he was second in the league in all purpose yards with 1478 yards and 11 total touchdowns. In 2013, Tatum played for the Sioux Falls Storm and helped them to win the 2013 Indoor Football League Championship.
Now in 2014, Tatum is back with the Blue Racers and has been an important part of the team's offense. In their most recent contest against the Bluegrass Warhorses on March 22nd, Tatum was the starting quarterback. He racked up six of nine completions for 155 yards and 5 passing touchdowns. Also on the ground he had 30 yards and one touchdown helping lead the team to a 52-28 victory.
Don't miss the Blue Racers' star studded roster which includes many indoor/arena veterans such as QB Chris Wallace, KR/WR/QB Mike Tatum, former Ohio State Buckeye and National Champion EJ Underwood, and Marion's hometown favorite Thomas McKenzie as they go to Dayton, OH to take on the Dayton Sharks this Saturday, April 5th at Hara Arena. Kickoff starts at 7:30pm.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from March 31, 2014
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