Speed Land Four All-af2 Honorees, Most In League
August 23, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Richmond Speed News Release
Richmond, Va - Four Richmond Speed players have been named to the All-arenafootball2 team â a franchise record. The selections were announced at the af2 awards ceremony Thursday night in Peoria, Illinois. Kicker Geoff Groshelle, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Kevin Harvey, Defensive Specialist Tyrone Laster, and Fullback/Linebacker Rodney Sledge received the league's highest designation following the Speed's second straight season of 12 or more wins. Richmond's four honorees were an af2-best, with only Tulsa receiving as many as 3 selections among the 33 other franchises in the league.
Groshelle and Sledge are both first-time honorees. Groshelle wrapped up a fantastic all-around year as af2's most consistent kicker in statistical categories across the board. During the previous off-season, he earned a workout with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys â turning down an opportunity to kick in NFL Europe in order to return to the Speed for a second season. Sledge enjoyed his most productive season as a professional, leading the team in tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles. Rodney is an intense student of the game, spending by far the most hours of any player breaking down film during his personal time. A quick study and a loyal soldier, "The Hammer" was an integral part of the team's success over the past two seasons.
For Harvey and Laster, this marks their second straight selection to the all-af2 team. Harvey has proven himself to be a modern-day gladiator, sacrificing his body on both sides of the ball for Speed victories. This caps a banner year for the Temple graduate, having already secured back-to-back af2 Ironman of the Year honors. The Ironman is given to the af2 player whose level of play in all facets of the game â offense, defense, and special teams â exceeds all others. He led the Speed in receptions, rushing yards, rushing TDs, and solo tackles. Laster played with three different Defensive Specialist partners throughout the season, yet his play continued at an uninterrupted elite level. "The Stinger" ravaged opponents with hard hits, timely deflections, and air-tight coverage.
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