SaberCats Johnson to play for World Bowl title
Published on June 10, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 9, 2005) â Fullback BRIAN JOHNSON, who won an ArenaBowl title with the San Jose SaberCats last year, will be participating in World Bowl, NFL Europe's championship game, this weekend as a member of the league-leading Berlin Thunder.
Signed by the SaberCats as a lineman prior to the 2003 season, Johnson (6-3, 275, New Mexico State) was converted to fullback/linebacker last season and finished the year with 16 rushes for 33 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.
Johnson's solid play with the SaberCats caught the eye of the San Francisco 49ers, who signed him in August 2004. The NFL club released him two weeks later but re-signed Johnson in January and allocated him to NFL Europe, where he was selected in the 17th round of the NFL Allocated Player Draft by the Thunder.
Johnson appeared in all 10 games for the Thunder making nine starts at fullback. He ran for 38 yards on three carries and caught 13 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Berlin clinched a spot in World Bowl with a league-best 7-3 record and has the opportunity to cement its status as a dynasty with a win against the Amsterdam Admirals on June 11. The Thunder won NFLE titles in 2001, 2002 and 2004. A World Bowl victory in NFL Europe would make it two consecutive seasons on a championship team for Johnson, who would be one of only a handful of players with an AFL and NFL Europe title.
After signing with San Francisco, the SaberCats placed Johnson on its exempt list, meaning the team would retain his rights should he return to the AFL.
The Arena Football League will crown a new champion on Sunday, June 12, when the Georgia Force (13-5) battle the Colorado Crush (12-5) in ArenaBowl XIX in Las Vegas live on NBC Sports at noon PT
The SaberCats are now taking deposits for 2006 season and group tickets. Contact a sales representative at (408) 573-5577 for more information. Check out the SaberCats official website www.sanjosesabercats.com for the latest team-related information.
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