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Preds place four on AFL's 20 Greatest Players list

January 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. (January 17, 2006) -- Four players who spent at least part of their careers with the Orlando Predators have been named to the list of the Arena Football League's "20 Greatest Players." The list was developed by a special blue ribbon panel to recognize the AFL's greatest players during the league's season-long celebration of its 20th season of competition.

Heading the list of Orlando players selected included Barry Wagner and Jay Gruden. Wagner, who played with the Predators from 1992-99, was named the second greatest player in league history - finishing one point behind former Albany superstar Eddie Brown

Now in his 15th season and currently playing for the San Jose SaberCats, Wagner enters the season as the AFL's all-time leader in receptions (962), receiving yards (13,089), and total touchdowns scored. A holder of multiple AFL records, he is also the league's all-time leader in scoring, tackles, and rushing touchdowns.

In eight years with the Predators, he was named first-team All-Arena a total of six times and won an unprecedented six consecutive (1992-97) "Ironman of the Year" awards given to the game's best two-way player. He had seven consecutive seasons of 1000+ receiving yards with the Predators and won three scoring titles. Six years after leaving the Predators via free agency, Wagner still holds more than 50 Orlando career, season and single game records.

Gruden, who played two seasons with the Predators, was named the fourth greatest player in AFL history. He led the Tampa Bay Storm to four championships in six seasons before leaving the game to become offensive coordinator for the Nashville Kats in 1997. One year later, he became the youngest head coach in the AFL when he took over the Predators. Under Gruden, the Predators made three consecutive ArenaBowl appearances and won their first two championships.

Five years after playing his last game, Gruden returned to the playing field and led the Predators a pair of appearances in the AFL semifinals. In two seasons, he threw for 5,955 yards and 117 touchdowns. His final season with the Predators was perhaps his finest year. Despite missing six games with a serious ankle injury, Gruden went 10-0 in the regular season as a starter, throwing 49 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. He was later learned that he played the final six games of the regular season on a broken leg and fractured ankle. The injury required extensive surgery after the 2004 season and resulted in Gruden returning to his post as head coach of the Predators.

For his eight-year playing career, Gruden threw for more than 21,000 yards and 397 regular season touchdown passes. In the post-season, Gruden compiled a gaudy 15-4 record as a starting quarterback, throwing for 77 touchdowns in winning four ArenaBowl championship games.

Also making the list was wide receiver/linebacker Cory Fleming. A nine-year veteran currently playing for the Nashville Kats, Fleming played three years with the Predators from 2002-2005, catching 332 passes for 3,939 yards and 94 touchdowns. A two-time member of the first unit of the All-Arena team with the Predators, Fleming was named "AFL Ironman of the Year" for the 2004 season when he broke Predators single season records for receptions (131), yards (1,620) and touchdowns (33).

Despite missing the majority of two seasons with injuries, Fleming has caught 795 passes for 9,626 yards and 228 touchdowns in his career.

The final Predator named to the list was wide receiver/linebacker Stevie Thomas, who spent the majority of his 11-year AFL career with the Tampa Bay Storm. The Predators signed Thomas at the mid-way point of the 2000 season and he helped the team down the stretch to an ArenaBowl championship.

Surprisingly absent from the list was current Orlando Predators defensive specialist Kenny McEntyre. A six-time, first-team All-Arena selection, McEntyre is the league's all-time leader in interceptions (59) and pass break-ups (117) and was selected "Defensive Player of the Year" three different times.

"It is an honor to be included in the top five players in league history and I am grateful," Gruden said. "But with any list like this, there is going to be some controversy. In my opinion, Barry Wagner is without question the greatest Arena Football League player ever. I also believe that Kenny McEntyre deserves a spot in the top twenty."

McEntyre headed a list of other former Predators receiving votes. Listed in alphabetical order, those former Predators players receiving consideration included Ben Bennett, BJ Cohen, Johnnie Harris, McEntyre, Durwood Roquemore, Jermaine Smith and Herkie Walls.

The Top 20 Players were selected by the AFL's Historical Committee, consisting of a diverse mix of AFL personalities all with a strong knowledge of the league and its history. The members are: Howard Balzer, a journalist who has covered the AFL since its inception; Hunkie Cooper, a former player and current assistant coach who holds the record for career all-purpose yards; Darryl Hammond, an active player who will begin his 16th season this year; Mike Hohensee, head coach of the Chicago Rush and the first player to throw an AFL touchdown; Joe Kauffman, the president of ArenaFan Online; George LaFrance, a former player who won five ArenaBowl championships; Bill Niro, an AFL founder; and Gene Nudo, head coach of the Arizona Rattlers, whose career has spanned 19 of the AFL's 20 seasons.

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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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