SaberCats Sign Reese and Hernandez
December 8, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2003) â A couple of veteran Arena Football League players will be returning to the San Jose SaberCats for the 2004 season. Lineman Sam Hernandez, the league's career leader in quarterback sacks, signed a two-year deal, and receiver/linebacker Jerry Reese, who ranks in the top five in several team career categories, inked a deal for one year, announced General Manager Terry Malley.
A San Jose native, Hernandez will be entering his 12th season in the AFL and seventh with the SaberCats in 2004. He became the league's career leader in sacks during the 2001 campaign and last year topped the 50-sack mark by raising his all-time total to 54.0
One of the most consistent linemen in league history, Hernandez's play on the offensive side of the ball has often been overshadowed by his defensive dominance. Named an All-Arena League performer five times over the course of his career, Hernandez was bestowed the ultimate compliment for a lineman when he was tabbed the league's âLineman of the Year' following the 2000 season.
And the 34-year-old Hernandez has shown no signs of slowing down. Last season he tallied a team leading five sacks becoming the first player in league history to have five or more sacks in six different seasons.
Reese will have the opportunity to add to his staggering career numbers as he is set to return for his eighth season with the SaberCats in 2004. He originally joined the team as a free agent in 1995, the franchise's inaugural season.
Hampered by injuries that have limited him to just 11 games over the last two seasons, Reese has still managed to catch 240 passes for 3,455 yards and 76 touchdowns in his career. Numbers that rank him second all-time in yards and touchdowns and third in receptions. He also ranks in the top five in eight other team career categories.
The SaberCats open their 10th season in the Arena Football League in February. A network-TV sport, the AFL will celebrate its second season on NBC in 2004 with the SaberCats scheduled to be broadcast a total of seven times (six road, one home). Season and group tickets for the 2004 season are available by contacting a sales representative at (408) 573-5577. Individual game tickets will go on sale starting December 10 and can be purchased through any Northern California TicketMaster outlet or the HP Pavilion box office. More information is also available at www.sanjosesabercats.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from December 8, 2003
- SaberCats Sign Reese and Hernandez - San Jose SaberCats
- Dallas Cowboys Receiver Joey Galloway Joins Columbus Destroyers Ownership Group - AFL I
- Aaron's Returns as National AFL Partner - AFL I
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
