Predators to honor Papasedero
Published on November 9, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
Former Head Coach Fran Papasedero heads a list of three former Predators that will be inducted into the team's "Ring of Honor" during the 2005 season, Managing General Partner Brett Bouchy announced today.
Papasedero will be joined by former quarterback Ben Bennett and defensive specialist Durwood Roquemore in the class of 2005. The three were voted in by the "Ring of Honor" committee as well as a vote of Predators fans. They will join former Head Coach Perry Moss, OS Herkie Walls and FB/LB Paul McGowan as the six members of the Ring of Honor.
Papasedero was the Predators assistant head coach and line coach from 1998-2001. He became head coach when Jay Gruden decided to return to the playing field for the 2002 season. In two seasons as head coach, Papasedero averaged 11 wins per season and led the Predators to a pair of semifinal appearances. As an assistant, the Predators played in three ArenaBowls and won a pair of championships. He was credited with signing and molding several outstanding linemen, including rising AFL star EJ Burt. Papasedero passed away in a tragic automobile accident in June, 2003.
Bennett played quarterback for the Predators for five seasons and led his team to a pair of ArenaBowl championship games. He still holds several team passing records. Bennett is currently head coach of the Florida Firecats of the "arenafootball2" league and guided that team to the 2004 "af2" championship.
Roquemore was the Arena Football League's all-time leader in interceptions with 50, before Predators DS Kenny McEntyre broke that record this season. He was also in the top three in career tackles.
Bennett and Roquemore each spent parts of their careers with teams other than Orlando. Both are already in the AFL Hall of Fame.
"The Ring of Honor is a relatively new tradition established to recognize outstanding achievement within the Predators organization," Managing General Partner Brett Bouchy said. "It would be tough to select three more deserving individuals."
A maximum number of three players, coaches or administrators can be inducted into the Predators Ring of Honor each season, but there is no minimum number. In order to be considered for induction, players must be retired. For the first time, fans were given an opportunity to vote on the award. Casting ballots on www.orlandopredators.com, fans were given one collective vote on the committee. Papasedero led the fan balloting, followed by lineman Webbie Burnett and Bennett. Each fan could vote only once and close to 600 individual ballots were cast.
Here are the bios of this year's inductees:
FRAN PAPASEDERO
Head Coach of Orlando Predators for two seasons (2002-03), recording 22-13-0 record...Ranks in top 10 in career winning percentage all-time for AFL head coaches with .629 winning percentage...assistant head coach 1999-01, assistant coach 1998...in six seasons of coaching with Predators, team won two AFL championships, appeared in one other ArenaBowl and advanced to semifinals twice.
BEN BENNETT
Predators quarterback 1991-95...ranks 2nd or 3rd on practically every career passing list, including 2nd in yards (8,469), 2nd in passing touchdowns (162) and second in passes completed (624)...Led Predators to two ArenaBowl appearances, back-up on 1995 ArenaBowl team...first team All-Arena, 1994...three-time team MVP...AFL Hall of Fame member (2000).
DURWOOD ROQUEMORE
Defensive specialist with Predators, 1991-96...elected to AFL Hall of Fame in 1999...first team All-Arena with Predators three times (1992-93-94)...member AFL All-Decade team (selected in 1999)...led team in tackles three times...ranks 4th on Predators career list for tackles (311.5), 2nd in interceptions (30),and 2nd in pass defenses (66).
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