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AFL Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Sign DB Clevan Thomas: Three Others

January 6, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


MESA, Ariz. - The Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football One signed DB CLEVAN THOMAS today, announced head coach Kevin Guy.

Thomas has played seven seasons in Arena Football, all with the San Jose SaberCats. He quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the league upon signing with San Jose in 2002, winning both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors en route to a league championship that season. Thomas, who was also part of the 1999 Florida State championship squad, also won the Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2003, and was a member of San Jose's 2004 and 2007 championship teams.

By joining Arizona, Thomas reunites with his former coach in Guy. Together, the pair led one of the league's great defensive units in 2007, finishing near the top of the league in virtually every statistical category en route to a league championship.

"This is a great addition for us," said Guy. "Clevan is one of the few players who actually changed Arena Football and he's also one of the great inspirational leaders in the game. I'm looking forward to coaching not only Clevan the football player, but also Clevan the human being. He's definitely a difference maker and he's one of my all-time favorites too."

For his career, Thomas has 105 pass breakups, 50 interceptions and eight defensive touchdowns while manning the all-important middle spot in the secondary. Thomas has won First Team All-Arena awards three times, been named to the second team twice and was even named to the All-Ironman squad one season as both a defensive back and kick returner. Thomas won all-league honors each of the two seasons he was coached by Guy.

In addition to Thomas, Guy announced the signings of three players: FB JOHNIE KIRTON, LB KELVIN MORRIS and DB TRAVIS ROLAND. Kirton was a member of the Spokane Shock for their 2009 arenafootball2 championship. He played fullback and defensive end and was named the JLS Ironman of the Game in the championship match. Morris played for the Utah Blaze in 2008 and was a force at the linebacker position, notching 51 tackles, 12 pass breakups and two interceptions. Roland finished the season with Arkansas in the af2, grabbing two interceptions and five pass-breakups in four games.



Arena Football League Stories from January 6, 2010


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