Q&A with Tommy Johnson and Shinzo Yamada
Published on March 19, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
An historic evening is on tap this Sunday when the Louisville Fire host a team of Japanese All-Stars in a preseason game at Louisville's Freedom Hall at 6:00 p.m. ET. This game marks the first time in history that a Japanese All-Star team has traveled to the United States to play a professional team.
Louisville's Tommy Johnson, 31, is in his second season as head coach for the Fire. A former Arena Football player with the Albany Firebirds and Carolina Cobras, Johnson still holds the AFL record for longest interception return for a touchdown (53 yards). Johnson began his Fire coaching career in 2001 as a defensive coordinator.
Japan's Shinzo Yamada, 30, is a modern-day football legend in Japan. An All-Star linebacker in college and in the X-League (the highest level league in Japan), Yamada became the first Japanese player to ever play in a North American football league when he played in the XFL in 2001. He also played for Amsterdam in NFL Europe and spent time in training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last summer. The 2001 Tokyo Super Bowl MVP (X-League's National Championship) is one of the most accomplished football players in Japanese history.
Q&A with Tommy Johnson
Q: What does it mean to you and your players to play in the game on Sunday?
Tommy Johnson: An opportunity to be part of a historic sporting event and a chance to represent the league and the country.
Q: Talk about the importance of this game for the international development of Arena Football.
TJ: Very important, this game will give the Japanese culture to view the game of arena football. This is a good way to make a stronger bond between the two countries. Every country loves to support sporting events.
Q: Why should fans out to Freedom Hall for the game on Sunday?
TJ: To see a face paced hard-hitting game. To be a part of history. Enjoy seeing the Fire score some points.
Q: The game gives your team a chance to play against live competition before the season opener. Talk about how it will benefit your players, specifically new quarterback Matt Sauk.
TJ: Matt knows the game as well as most coaches; this game will give him a chance to work on his timing with the receivers. We will stick to the basics for this game because we have only been in camp for a few days.
Q: Have you done any scouting of the Japanese team?
TJ: We haven't really had a chance to see any film on them. Looking at their roster we know they will put a competitive team on field.
Q: Think about when you began to learn the rules and strategies of Arena Football. Could you imagine doing that at the same time you are adjusting to a different culture and a huge time difference?
TJ: No. It would be extremely tough for me. I tip my hat to them for what they are doing.
Q: If you could take the Japanese players to one place in Louisville, where would you take them?
TJ: Ten Pin Bowling Alley in St. Matthew's.
Q: What's the one piece of advice you are giving your players for this game?
TJ: Remember that they are representing their families, their country and the Louisville Fire.
Q&A with Shinzo Yamada
Q: How much do you know about the Louisville players?
Shinzo Yamada: I only know what I've seen from the Web site. I have heard they have a very good team.
Q: Talk about what it means to your players to make the trip to play in this game.
SY: I am sure it will be a totally fantastic experience for them because this will be the first time that the Japanese team will play a professional team in North America.
Q: What has been the biggest adjustment while learning Arena Football rules?
SY: Playing both ways and adjusting to the smaller field.
Q: Talk about your starting quarterback and his keys to success in the game.
SY: Kenta Yagi who has played for two years in Albany is our starter. His experiences with af2 have helped us a lot. The key is to let him have the time to throw.
Q: What are your impressions of the city of Louisville and how have you been treated here?
SY: Absolutely great. The city is clean and people here treat us very nice.
Q: Have any family, friends, or fans made the trip with the team to attend the game?
SY: Several guys have brought their families and friends that live in the United States.
Q: Besides a victory, what do you want to take most from this game?
SY: To make an impact and have the players experience true professional football.
Q: What's the best piece of advice you've given your players this week?
SY: To be aggressive and never hesitate.
About af2
Entering its fifth anniversary season in late March, af2 serves as a grassroots, developmental arena football league for players, coaches and officials with 25 teams in small- to mid-size markets throughout the United States. af2 operates under the same Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights as the AFL. Several former af2 coaches have joined AFL teams and more than 175 players have advanced to the AFL over the past four years.
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