Preds McGriff Named AFL Rookie of the Year
May 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Orlando Predators News Release
Orlando, Fla. (May 28) -- Travis McGriff can now add "Rookie of the Year" to his long list of football accomplishments as the Arena Football League named him as its best first-year player on Wednesday.
McGriff, the former University of Florida All-American who spent three seasons with the Denver Broncos, also joined Orlando Predators teammates Thabiti Davis and EJ Burt on the league's All-Rookie Team, which was announced last week.
"When I first got to camp, it felt weird being called a rookie, but after I my first indoor game I realized how unique this sport is and how much I had to learn. It's a great honor, but I certainly would not have had a chance of winning this award if it wasn't for Jay and the rest of my teammates."
McGriff finished the season with 81 receptions for 1,216 yards and 25 touchdowns. Those totals ranked as the seventh, sixth, and eighth best totals in Orlando Predators history and were also team records for a first-year player. McGriff compiled these numbers despite missing two games because of injuries and playing opposite of another 1,000-yard receiver in Cory Fleming (96-1226-28).
"Travis is certainly deserving of this honor," Predators quarterback Jay Gruden said. "He put up huge numbers even though we spread the ball around a lot. When you consider Cory caught nearly 100 balls and Thabiti Davis had more than 60 (63-759-13), Travis' totals are really impressive. If we featured just one receiver like many teams do, Travis probably would have caught 130 or 140 balls."
In addition, McGriff compiled 2,247 all-purpose yards, the fourth best total in club history. He had 959 yards on 58 kickoff returns (16.5 average) and scored one touchdown. He returned seven missed field goals for 72 yards. Other players receiving votes for Rookie of the Year were McGriff 's teammate EJ Burt (OL/DL), Dallas star Will Pettis (WR/DB), Tampa's Al Lucas (OL/DL) and Los Angeles' defensive specialist Damen Wheeler.
His selection was not a total surprise, as he won two of the three "Rookie of the Month" honors handed out by the league during the regular season. McGriff and the rest of his Orlando Predators (12-4-0) teammates return to action on Sunday when they host the New York Dragons (9-8-0) in an AFL Quarterfinal Playoff game. Tickets, priced from $5-$40, are on sale now at the TD Waterhouse Box Office, all TICKETMASTER outlets or by calling the Predators at 407-44-PREDS. The game is being televised nationally on NBC Sports and will be seen in the vast majority of the country. Los Angeles (11-5-0) hosts Arizona (11-6-0) in the other Sunday match-up; while Tampa Bay (12-4-0) hosts Detroit (9-8-0) and San Jose (12-4-0) entertains Georgia (9-8-0) in Saturday afternoon games.
ALL-TIME ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WINNERS
2003 TRAVIS MCGRIFF, Orlando Predators
2002 Clevan Thomas, San Jose SaberCats
2001 R-Kal Truluck, Detroit Fury
2000 Chris Jackson, Los Angeles Avengers
1999 Charles Wilson, Tampa Bay Storm
1998 Oronde Gadsden, Portland Forest Dragons
1997 Cory Fleming, Nashville Kats
Arena Football League Stories from May 28, 2003
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- Preds McGriff Named AFL Rookie of the Year - Orlando Predators
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