Rampage Add University of Colorado Standout DB Ben Kelly, Two Others

Published on November 1, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Rampage, who surrendered the fewest passing yards per game of any Arena Football League team last season, added to their secondary today, signing defensive back Ben Kelly (Mentor, Ohio). The University of Colorado standout and three-year NFL veteran looks to play his second year in the AFL, having spent one season (2004) with the Los Angeles Avengers.

Kelly began turning heads at Colorado following an impressive high school career at Lake Catholic (Ohio) High School where he garnered all-state honors in both his junior and senior seasons. The 5-9, 185-pound cornerback and kick returner made an immediate impact with Colorado, earning recognition as the Big Twelve Freshman of the Year in 1997. As a sophomore in 1998, Kelly received the Dave Jones Award as the Buffalos' best defensive player after breaking up a school record 22 passes.

While an impressive defender with the Buffalos (his 34 career pass breakups rank second in Colorado history), Kelly made his mark as a return specialist. An All-Big Twelve selection in each of his three seasons (1997-99) at Colorado, he set a school record with 1,798 career kickoff return yards, and his 28.1 yards per kickoff return rank second in NCAA Division I-A history. Kelly also displayed his speed as an all-American track and field star.

In 2000, the Miami Dolphins selected Kelly in the third round (84th overall) of the NFL draft. He went on to play three seasons (2000-02) with the Dolphins and New England Patriots, recording four tackles, five punt returns for 31 yards and seven kick returns for 123 yards. Kelly served as the primary kick returner for two games with the 2001 Super Bowl champion New England Patriots before being placed on injured reserve. He also took part in training camp with the Denver Broncos in 2003.

In 2004, Kelly played his first season in the AFL with the Los Angeles Avengers, recording 28 tackles and four pass breakups. He also spent one year (2005) in the Canadian Football League, notching 26 tackles in 12 games with the Calgary Stampeders.

"In my short time in the AFL, I learned a lot about the different routes run in the league and how to use the walls and angles to your advantage," said Kelly. "I shouldn't have much of a problem adjusting to the rules again, and I'm looking forward to getting to Grand Rapids and learning [Head Coach] Sparky [McEwen]'s defensive system."

Also signing with the Rampage were defensive lineman Julius Roberts (Los Angeles, Calif.) and offensive lineman Walter Wigfall (Katy, Texas). Roberts enters his second year in the AFL, having played two games with Grand Rapids last season. The 6-5, 255-pound Boise State University product lettered four years (2001-04) with the Broncos and was a First Team All-WAC selection in 2003.

Wigfall joins his first AFL team after participating in summer camp with the Chicago Bears and being assigned to NFL Europe's Cologne Centurions in 2005. The 6-6, 340-pound Texas A&M University-Kingsville product was a First Team All-Lone Star Conference South selection twice (2001-02) and was named the LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year following his senior season (2002).

"I'm happy to play for the Rampage and try to bring them a championship," said Wigfall. "I know the AFL will give me a chance to show off my pass blocking, which is my strength."

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 1, 2006


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