Storm sign three, including FB/LB Umar Muhammad

Published on October 20, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA, FL -- The Tampa Bay Storm re-signed fullback/linebacker Umar Muhammad and also added wide receiver/defensive back Lawrence Richardson and lineman Jerry Johnson to the roster, head coach Tim Marcum announced.

Muhammad (5-11, 260, North Texas) returns to the Storm for his first full season after joining the club for the final seven games of the 2004 campaign. In the 2004 regular season Muhammad rushed 18 times for 27 yards and a career high five touchdowns. He also added two receptions for 27 yards. Both of his catches went for touchdowns. Defensively the five-year AFL veteran recorded 12.5 tackles.

Muhammad began his AFL career with the Albany Firebirds in 2000. He later joined the Grand Rapids Rampage for the 2003 season before originally signing with the Storm on April 8, 2004.

Considered one of the top cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference last season, Richardson (5-10, 195, Arkansas) starred for the Arkansas Razorbacks before spending the 2004 NFL training camp with the Buffalo Bills. With the Razorbacks, Richardson started every game he played (34), recording 139 career tackles, seven interceptions, 38 pass breakups, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Richardson also excelled on the Razorbacks' track team, participating in the 60- and 200-meter indoor events and the 400-meters outdoors. Richardson was rated as the second-best cornerback prospect in the country coming out of Ball High School in Galveston, TX, where he clocked a 10.19 100-meter dash.

Johnson (6-0, 290, Florida St.) originally signed with the Storm prior to the 2004 season but spent the year on the team's Exempt List after electing to play in the Canadian Football League. Johnson was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft and played three seasons. He signed with the Orlando Predators in 2003 and played in four games, recording 3.5 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Johnson, a native of Ft. Pierce, Fla., was a three-year starter at Florida State University. He won a national championship with the Seminoles in 1999 and was a consensus All-American and All-ACC selection at defensive tackle. He began his FSU career at center before switching to defense as a redshirt freshman.

The five-time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm kick off the 2005 season in January at the St. Pete Times Forum. The Storm are looking to extend their league-record streak of postseason appearances to 15 seasons. Tampa Bay has never failed to advance to the AFL playoffs.

Season tickets for the 2005 season are on sale now at the St. Pete Times Forum Box Office. Storm season tickets may also be purchased by calling (813) 301-6600 or online at www.tampabaystorm.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 20, 2004


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