'The Hammer' Back with Steamwheelers
Published on February 10, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â The Quad City Steamwheelers announced today that veteran wide receiver/linebacker Danny Thomas has been assigned to the team by the arenafootball2 league office. Thomas, who has a strong football résumé, returns to the Quad Cities after finishing out the 2003 season with the team.
"The thing that I like about Danny, is that he brings a lot to the table," Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold said. "He is physical and best of all, he is a bully.
"Whenever Danny is on defense and an opposing player catches a ball in his area, that guy is going to get beat up and that is what we like from him â good, physical football."
The 6' 200 lbs. Thomas, who has been nicknamed the "Hammer" by Defensive Backs coach Ed Langford for his style of play, joined the Steamwheelers on June 23 and played in five regular season games as well as the playoff tilt against the Arkansas Twisters. Thomas had an instant impact on the team's performance.
In the five regular season games, Thomas caught four passes for 52 yards and had two kickoff returns. On defense, Thomas was a force with 21 tackles (12 solo) as well as three interceptions and six pass deflections. Thomas added a fumble recovery as well.
Thomas helped the Steamwheelers complete a 14-game winning streak, which catapulted them into the playoffs. The Steamwheelers finished the regular season with a 14-2 record, the best of the 27 teams in the af2.
After earning a first round bye, the Steamwheelers lost on a last-second heartbreaker to the Twisters in the 2003 ArenaCup Quarterfinals. In the 53-52 setback, Thomas had three catches for 27 yards and 4.5 tackles.
Thomas' résumé includes attending pre-season training camp with the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL in 1998. Later that fall he made it on the practice squad with the CFL's Edmonton Eskimoes.
Prior to joining the Steamwheelers, Thomas spent time in the Arena Football League with Ingold and the then New Jersey Gladiators. The Gladiators have since moved to Las Vegas. He also saw time with the Dallas Desperados that same year.
In 2000 and 2001, Thomas played in nine games with the Steamwheelers archrival, the Tennessee Valley Vipers. In those games, he rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown, and hauled in 21 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown.
He returned seven kicks for an average of 27.7 yards two for touchdowns. On defense, he had 27 tackles (13 solo), two interceptions, forced two fumbles and recovered two as well. The Vipers had a combined record of 24-8 over the '00 and '01 season.
Thomas had a stellar career at Eastern Kentucky University. In 1997 he was named the teams Defensive Back of the Year. That season, Thomas was third on the team in interceptions (3) and tackles (82).
"I love to walk on the field knowing that Danny Thomas is on my team," Ingold added.
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 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.
Several players have moved on to the NFL from the af2 including the âWheelers standout defensive rush end in 2003, Asa Francis, who last month signed with the Buffalo Bills to play in NFL Europe this spring.
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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