Sonny Cumbie signs contract extension with L.A. Avengers
August 14, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Quarterback Sonny Cumbie, one of the Arena Football League's top young quarterbacks, has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Cumbie, who recently completed his second year with the Avengers, was eligible to become a free agent later this week. His new deal will keep him in Los Angeles through the 2010 season.
"We are really excited to get Sonny signed back up," said Hodgkiss, who signed a five-year contract extension of his own last month. "That was probably our No. 1 priority before getting into the free agency period. Sonny took us to our first playoff win in franchise history and we look forward to going even further with him next year."
Cumbie (6-4, 225, Texas Tech) started all 16 regular-season games last season for the Avengers and set a team record with 4,370 passing yards. He also threw 83 touchdown passes in 2007, against only 13 interceptions, and led the AFL in third-down passing efficiency (114.4 rating).
"I'm very excited to be continuing my Arena Football League career in Los Angeles for the next three years," said Cumbie, who also owns single-game team records for completion percentage (80 percent, 24-of-30) and passing attempts (51). "I'm really looking forward to the 2008 season and taking it to the next level, building on what we accomplished this past year. Also, I'd like to thank Coach Hodgkiss for his belief in me as the quarterback who will lead this franchise to bigger and better things."
After entering the 2006 campaign as the third-stringer, Cumbie started the final 12 games and passed for 3,241 yards and 59 touchdowns (with only 10 interceptions), on his way to earning AFL "All-Rookie" honors. In 2006, he also set an Avenger team record by throwing 212 consecutive passes without an interception.
At Texas Tech, Cumbie led the NCAA in passing during the 2004 season, throwing for 4,742 yards (No. 7 all-time in NCAA Division I-A history) and 32 touchdowns. He passed for at least 300 yards in the first nine games and topped the 400-yard mark six times in 2004. Cumbie closed his senior season by throwing for a career-high 520 yards, leading the Red Raiders past Cal in the 2004 Holiday Bowl.
Cumbie is currently preparing for his third season as a color commentator for the Texas Tech football radio network.
Avenger 2008 season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com.
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