Rush names 2005 team award winners
June 8, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Chicago Rush WR/LB Etu Molden, lineman John Moyer, WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo, OS C. J. Johnson and FB/LB Bob McMillen were named winners of the 2005 Rush team awards today at the team's season-ending banquet.
Molden was voted the team's MVP and Ironman of the Year; Moyer was voted Lineman of the Year for the fourth-consecutive season; Alfonzo was named Special Teams Player of the Year; and Johnson was voted the team's Rookie of the Year. In addition, McMillen, again, was named the winner of the team's Walter Payton Award for community service.
A member of the AFL's All-Ironman team and a finalist for AFL Ironman of the Year, Molden led the Rush in receiving for a second-straight season, catching 96 passes for 1,158 yards and scoring 30 touchdowns (25 receiving, four rushing and one return). On defense Molden recorded 28 tackles and tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
Moyer again led all Rush linemen in tackles (27.5) and sacks (6). In addition, the Second Team All-Arena selection blocked four kicks, recovered three fumbles and forced two. Offensively, Moyer caught eight passes for 38 yards and six touchdowns, while allowing only one sack all season.
Alfonzo assumed the duties this season as the team's holder for all extra points and field goals. In addition, he was one of the team's best on kickoff coverage, helping lead a kick-coverage unit that led the AFL, holding opponents to a league-best average starting position just shy of the 11-yard line.
After only playing in one of the team's first 12 games, Johnson worked his way into the lineup in each of Chicago's final four regular season games. He finished the regular season with 26 receptions for 390 yards and nine touchdowns, and also added a rushing touchdown and 17 kick returns for 285 yards. In the playoffs, Johnson was fantastic, catching 19 passes for 272 yards and six touchdowns in two games.
McMillen earned his second-consecutive Walter Payton Award for his outstanding work in the Chicagoland community. From reading to Chicagoland students as part of the team's "Rush to Read" program, to becoming the spokesperson for Chicago's Little City Foundation, McMillen embodies the team's community relations' efforts and the spirit of Walter Payton.
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