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AFL Arizona Rattlers

Randy Gatewood Named AFL Ironman of the Year

June 4, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


Phoenix, AZ - The Arena Football League named Arizona Rattlers WR/DB Randy Gatewood the Ironman of the Year today. The award, given to the best two-way player in the league, is voted on by the 16 head coaches. Ironman of the Year is considered the most prestigious of the AFL's postseason awards.

Gatewood, in his eighth season out of UNLV, had maybe his finest season, catching a career high 69 passes for 779 yards and a career high 32 touchdowns. His nine interceptions set a team record, and his 24 career interceptions are also a team record.

"There's no question, he was the best two-way guy in the league. This award just confirms what we've known all season long," said Rattlers Vice President of Operations Gene Nudo. "He made some big catches for us all year, and he was probably our most consistent defensive guy. The nine interceptions show that."

Gatewood was named the Arena Football League's Ironman of the Month for May, and also was named a member of the All-Ironman team.

Gatewood was named to the Arena Football League's First Team All-AFL list in May, joining teammate Sherdrick Bonner. He has been named to the All-Ironman team two years in a row, and has been named All-Arena First Team twice and Second Team three times. This is the first time he has been named Ironman of the Year.

The Rattlers continue their Drive for ArenaBowl XVII Sunday afternoon, when they take on top seeded San Jose at 2:30 PM. The game will be shown on the home of the AFL, NBC.

2003 IRONMAN OF THE YEAR VOTING
PLAYER, TEAM VOTES
*RANDY GATEWOOD, ARIZONA RATTLERS 6
Greg Hopkins, Los Angeles Avengers 3
Hunkie Cooper, Arizona Rattlers 2
Lawrence Samuels, Tampa Bay Storm 2
Barry Wagner, San Jose SaberCats 1
Evan Hlavacek, Indiana Firebirds 1
Darryl Hammond, Georgia Force 1
**Will Pettis, Dallas Desperados 1
* Includes fan vote conducted on arenafootball.com
** Rookie season

ALL-TIME IRONMAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS
SEASON PLAYER, TEAM
2003 RANDY GATEWOOD, ARIZONA RATTLERS
2002 Greg Hopkins, Los Angeles Avengers
2001 Dameon Porter, Chicago Rush
2000 Hunkie Cooper, Arizona Rattlers
1999 Hunkie Cooper, Arizona Rattlers
1998 Chad Dukes, Albany Firebirds
1997 Barry Wagner, Orlando Predators
1996 Barry Wagner, Orlando Predators
1995 Barry Wagner, Orlando Predators
1994 Barry Wagner, Orlando Predators
1993 Barry Wagner, Orlando Predators
1992 *Barry Wagner, Orlando Predators
1991 *Milton Barney, New Orleans Night
1990 Thomas Monroe, Pittsburgh Gladiators
1989 Carl Aikens, Chicago Bruisers
1988 Dwayne Dixon, Detroit Drive
1987 *Billy Stone, Chicago Bruisers
* Rookie season



Arena Football League Stories from June 4, 2003


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