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Purify, Jones and Williams Earn Weekly Honors

July 31, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


CHICAGO - Arizona Rattlers WR MAURICE PURIFY has been awarded the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while San Jose SaberCats DB ANDRE JONES has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and San Jose SaberCats WR/KR FRED WILLIAMS has been named J. Lewis Small Ironman of the Week for the opening round of the 2012 AFL postseason. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the AFL Playmaker of the Week, Cutters Catch of the Week and Spalding Highlight of the Week. New Orleans VooDoo WR JOSH BUSH was awarded the AFL Playmaker of the Week, while San Jose SaberCats WR HUEY WHITTAKER earned the Cutters Catch of the Week. Jacksonville Sharks K MARCO CAPOZZOLI was awarded Spalding Highlight of the Week honors.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Purify (6-3, 225, Nebraska) caught 10 passes for 134 yards and four touchdowns in Arizona's 51-48 victory over the San Jose SaberCats in the AFL Quarterfinals. Purify has caught a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games and all but one contest this season.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jones (5-11, 195, Akron) collected two interceptions, returning one for a score, in San Jose's 48-51 loss to Arizona. Jones also tallied 3.5 tackles and a pass breakup in the game.

J. LEWIS SMALL IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Williams (6-0, 195, St. Cloud State) caught 10 balls for 90 yards and two touchdowns in San Jose's 48-51 loss to Arizona. He also notched 167 yards on six kick returns to finish the game with 257 all-purpose yards. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.

AFL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK

Bush (5-9, 170, Western Michigan) hauled in eight catches for 96 yards and five touchdowns in New Orleans' 53-66 loss to Philadelphia in the AFL Quarterfinals. Bush finished the season on a 12-game streak of recording a touchdown reception and triple-digit all-purpose yards.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Whittaker (6-5, 215, South Florida) went over the wall on a 30-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter of San Jose's 48-51 loss to Arizona. Whittaker will receive a Cutters hat and shirt for his efforts.

SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Capozzoli (6-1, 210, Montclair State) connected on a 51-yard field goal as time expired to give the Sharks a 58-56 victory over the Georgia Force in the AFL Quarterfinals. The field goal was the longest in Jacksonville franchise history and of the 2012 AFL season.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Georgia's Darnell Kennedy, Philadelphia's Donovan Morgan and Utah's Aaron Lesue.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Virgil Gray, Jacksonville's Jason Holman and Philadelphia's Rayshaun Kizer.

J. Lewis Small Ironman of the Week candidates included: Georgia's C.J. Johnson, Philadelphia's Jeff Hughley and San Antonio's Jomo Wilson.

The Arena Football League is also awarding the National Guard MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Jacksonville Sharks K MARCO CAPOZZOLI, Philadelphia Soul QB DAN RAUDABAUGH and Utah Blaze QB TOMMY GRADY. Fans will have 24 hours to vote beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 1. The winner will be announced on Thursday, August 2.

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