Steamwheelers Ink Local Talent
February 3, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â Quad City Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold did not have to venture far from the Steamwheelers office in Davenport, Iowa to find his most recent recruit. All he had to do was make a short trip up Brady Street hill to Brady Street Stadium, home of the St. Ambrose (NAIA) Fighting Bees.
That is where Ingold discovered Fighting Bees senior All-American defensive end Brandon Graves. After watching Graves and the Fighting Bees finish the 2003 season with their fourth consecutive Mid-States Football Association Midwest Division championship and a run to the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs, Ingold felt that Graves had an opportunity to extend his football career.
"He is a guy that had a very productive career at St. Ambrose," Ingold said. "He is a big guy who is defensive by nature and is enthusiastic to get a chance to play."
With that, the Steamwheelers announced on Tuesday that Graves has been assigned to the team by the arenafootball2 league office. Graves is the 23rd player to be officially assigned to the Steamwheelers 2004 training camp roster. All teams in the af2 may bring 35 players into training camp, which opens March 18.
"It's great to have the opportunity to play again," Graves said. "It's good to have the chance, it's a big thing to me.
"Davenport has kind of become my new hometown, I have adapted to it and now I get to play for a great team and highly respected pro football organization."
Graves' career at St. Ambrose began in 1999 and ran through the 2003 season. Over that span, he accumulated 134 tackles (43 solo), 16.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups, a QB hurry and a fumble recovery.
In 2003, Graves was a member of the Fighting Bees defense that ranked first in the NAIA in pass defense. The Bees only allowed 112.6 passing yards per game. Graves was also named All-American Honorable Mention this past fall.
Graves began his Fighting Bees career and saw limited action his freshman season. A few months later, in spring drills, Graves suffered a hip flexor.
This kept Graves out until the following fall when the team returned for practice. It was only four days later when Graves re-injured his hip, forcing him to sit out the 2000 season.
A healthy Graves returned in 2001 to spark a solid final three years at St. Ambrose. During Graves' time at St. Ambrose, the Fighting Bees won four consecutive MSFA Midwest titles and qualified for the 16-team field NAIA playoffs, all four times. The Bees advanced as far as the quarterfinals, twice, once in 2000 (Graves' red shirt season) and just this past fall.
Graves graduated from Metamora (Ill.) High School and was an all-Mid Illini Conference player as both a member of the offensive line and defensive line.
"This is an ideal situation for him," Ingold added. "It's good that he has the opportunity to extend his professional career in football in front of the same fans he played in front of at St. Ambrose."
"I am just happy to play football again," Graves added. "I'd play for free just to have this chance."
The arenafootball2 league is in its Fifth Anniversary season and serves as the AFL's developmental league. The arenafootball2 (af2) league consists of 25 teams in small- to medium-sized markets with the purpose of training players, coaches and officials for higher levels of football. Several former af2 coaches have joined AFL teams and more than 175 players have advanced to the AFL over the past three years.
The Steamwheelers are gearing up for their Fifth Anniversary season as one of the charter members of the league. Season tickets are currently on sale starting as low as $54. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets may contact Steamwheelers Director of Ticket Sales Brian Forth at 563-324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX. For all the up to the minute Steamwheelers news, visit www.steamwheelers.com.
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