Thomas and Wagner Finalists for League Awards
May 30, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 30, 2003) - San Jose SaberCats defensive specialist Clevan Thomas and wide receiver/defensive back Barry Wagner have been named finalists for the Arena Football League's ADT Defensive Player of the Year and Ironman of the Year awards respectively.
Thomas (5-10, 195, Florida State), last year's Rookie and ADT Defensive Player of the Year, established a new league record with 13 interceptions in 2003 and topped the circuit with 35 passes defended. He began the season by intercepting a pass in each of the first seven games of the year to set another league mark and closed the year with a pick in each of the final four games.
Wagner (6-3, 218, Alabama A&M) was a workhorse for the SaberCats in 2003 on both sides of the ball. The six-time Ironman of the Year award winner topped the AFL with 18 rushing touchdowns, the fourth highest single-season total in league history, and placed second on the team in tackles (63.0), interceptions (4) and pass breakups (11) while finishing third in receptions (51), receiving yards (508) and rushing yards (76).
Other finalists for the ADT Defensive Player of the Year include: Dallas Desp erados OL/DL Tom Briggs; Orlando Predators DS Kenny McEntyre; Chicago Rush OL/DL John Moyer; Georgia Force OL/DL Jermaine Smith and Tampa Bay Storm DS Omarr Smith. The winner will be announced on Monday, June 1.
Finalists for the Ironman of the Year include: Arizona Rattlers WR/LB Hunkie Cooper and WR/DB Randy Gatewood; Los Angeles Avengers WR/LB Greg Hopkins and Tampa Bay Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 4.
Playoff tickets are available and can be purchased at any Northern California TicketMaster outlet or the HP Pavilion box office. Group tickets are available through the SaberCats' front office by calling (408) 573-5577.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 30, 2003
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