San Diego Adds Two More to Roster
January 4, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
SAN DIEGOâ The Riptide were re-assigned FB/LB Takamasa Suzuki, assigned former and rookie WR/DB Stephen Ratliff by the af2 league office. Suzuki became the first international player to sport the Riptide blue and silver when he suited up against the Hawaiian Islanders during the 2004 season. Ratliff enters training camp as a wide receiver out of St. Mary's (CA).
Suzuki played in three games with the Riptide, recording four rushing attempts for six yards and a touchdown. On defense, he also recorded two tackles. Prior to his move to San Diego, he spent time on the international training squads of the af2's Hawaiian Islanders and Albany Conquest. Suzuki spent eight years in the Japan X League, the highest level of football in Japan and was also a member of the Tokyo Super Bowl Champion, Seagulls.
This is Ratliff's first exposure to arena football rules, but he has been accustomed to change and adjustment. He began his career as a highly sought after junior college quarterback from Medesto. He then transferred to Michigan State where he was a two-time MSU scout-team Player of the Week and ended the season listed on the roster as a safety. After his season at MSU, he opted to transfer back to his home in California to attend St. Mary's. During his first season with St. Mary's, he completed 88-of-196 passes for 1,289 yards with four touchdowns and nine interceptions before moving to the receiver position in 2003. The adjustment translated well and Ratliff led the team with 32 receptions for 239 yards.
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