Reggie Gray Receives AFL Award for Week 19
July 17, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Chicago Rush News Release
CHICAGO, Illinois - Chicago Rush wide receiver Reggie Gray completed a well-rounded game on the field to raise awareness off the field for his Ironman of the Year campaign. By totaling 251 yards and scoring five touchdowns in a victory over Milwaukee, the Arena Football League awarded him the J. Lewis Small Ironman of the Week.
"When the (AFL) didn't give me Ironman watch it made me a little upset. Last year I was disrespected and didn't get rookie of the year and now when they said I wasn't even an option for Ironman of the Year it was really disrespectful. I wanted to come and show the league wrong (tonight) to be honest," stated Reggie Gray after the win over the Mustangs.
Making a statement didn't take very long as Chicago's primary target caught 8 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone. Regardless of the output, the Rush still found themselves down 34-21 at the break to Milwaukee and in need of another spark.
Not resting on his first half performance Gray opened up the second half with a 54-yard kickoff return for a score that turned the game in Chicago's favor. It was the seventh time in two years he's returned a kick for a touchdown and the score marked his 101st overall touchdown for his 35-game AFL career.
"It felt great," Reggie Gray said of the touchdown return to begin the half. "I think it really motivated our team to say that we do have a fighting chance (in the game) and to go out there and have fun."
Receiving the J. Lewis Small Ironman of the Week for the second time this season helps build steam for his claim to the overall award for the year. Fans can help Reggie get the title by logging onto the Arena Football League website (arenafootball.com) tomorrow at NOON. The poll is open for twenty-four hours and fans can vote an unlimited number of times.
For the season Reggie Gray has 136 catches, 1,854 yards, 49 total touchdowns. He enters the last game of the season against Cleveland on pace to break his record-setting rookie campaign from 2011.
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Arena Football League Stories from July 17, 2012
- Grady, Mace Earn Weekly Honors - Utah Blaze
- Reggie Gray Receives AFL Award for Week 19 - Chicago Rush
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