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The Last of the Mohicans: Josh Bush and Ironman Football

June 8, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release


NEW ORLEANS (June 8, 2012) - If a guy was hurt, he couldn't be hurt. He had to go out and play. New Orleans VooDoo wide receiver Josh Bush talks about ironman football.

Can you imagine if football players today had to keep playing even though they were hurt? These are the conditions of what an arena football player had to experience back when arena football first started.

Prior to 2006, arena football was known as ironman ball. The offensive side consisted of a quarterback and an offensive specialist, who was mostly a wide receiver. The defensive side consisted of two defensive specialists, who were mostly defensive backs. All the other players played ironman substitution rules and played on both sides of the ball.

"Some players were just good on both sides of the ball and didn't have to focus on one position," VooDoo General Manager Jon Norris said, who played and coached in the ironman era. "Those were the good old days when the game was like that."

The substitution rule stated that if a player starts the game then gets substituted he may go back into the game, unlike a player that does not start the game and substitutes someone then taken out he is "dead" till the end of that quarter.

"The substitution rules were a huge strategy for teams back when arena football was known as ironman," Norris said. "Coaches had to develop substitution plans around players' weaknesses and toward their strengths."

But, not all arena football players today can say they've experienced the true ironman league. In 2006, the league decided to revamp the substitution rule allowing players to focus on one position rather than two completely different positions. The most noteworthy change was the introduction of free substitution, which became known as the "Elway Rule", leaving behind the limit to one substitution per position per quarter.

Of all current active AFL players, on 5 percent are carry overs from the ironman era, pre-2007. VooDoo wide receiver Josh Bush is among that handful of players that have evolved into the modern game of arena football.

"It was more difficult learning how to play wide receiver than defensive back because of the angles of the game. It was also difficult to learn how to slow down my speed."

Some believe the rule changes were the beginning of the removal of the "Ironman" (two-way offense and defense) style of play of arena football that the league that had actively promoted for 20 seasons and that removing the "Ironman" style of play takes away a key component of what makes arena football a distinctive sport over other versions of football.

"Ironman brought a great dimension to the game," Bush said. "You were able to play both ways and be good at it. I loved it and miss it."

While Bush may be a natural wide receiver, playing in the ironman league allowed him to grow to like defense, which shows his toughness as a defensive back, even though other teams had bigger players on the other side of the line.

"When you go on defense, the guy on the other side underestimates you and might sleep on you a bit," Bush said. "The defensive side gives you the competitive nature to be a great football player."

Back when Bush played in the ironman era on the defensive side in 2004, 2005 and 2006, he had a total of 80 tackles before the rules changed for arena football. As of today, Bush has a total of 141 total tackles, 10 with the VooDoo.

"Playing ironman ball showed that players were tough and had dedication for the game. It also allowed for players to showcase their versatility and athleticism," added Bush.

Although Bush has enjoyed his other stops in his AFL career, he has grown to love the city of New Orleans and the VooDoo team.

"I love the atmosphere of the New Orleans," Bush said. "People here love football and their city of New Orleans. The fans get behind you and support you no matter what."

Bush is an 8-year AFL veteran, and is one of the leaders on this year's team. Before coming to the New Orleans VooDoo, Bush played two years for the Orlando Predators under Head Coach Pat O'Hara.

When asked if it was easier to come with Coach O'Hara by his side Bush said, "No doubt because it was hard to come back and play football, but it was down to the wire to play in New Orleans. Pat had a lot to do with my decision, knowing what type of coach and person he is, made the transition easy."

In what could be Bush's swan song to his AFL years, he currently is enjoying the best statistical season of his career with 995 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns - both new personal highs. If Bush chooses to close the chapter on his AFL playing days, it will give him more time to spend with his biggest fan: Jayla, his daughter.

"I love to sit around the house and watch her play," Bush said. "I don't like to do too much outside of the house because it doesn't give me the opportunity to watch her grow. She is my everything."

Bush and the VooDoo welcome the San Antonio Talons (8-3) to The Graveyard on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.



Arena Football League Stories from June 8, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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