Toliver, Thomas Setup for Hall of Fame Matchup
Published on June 17, 2016 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
LAS VEGAS - One man is the AFL's all-time leader in receiving yards. The other has the second most interceptions in League history and has already been elected to the Hall of Fame (but is currently not inducted.)
There aren't all that many playing in the Arena Football League today who you can say are surefire Hall of Famers. Clevan Thomas was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012 and will surely take his rightful place amongst the game's greats when he finally hangs it up. T.T. Toliver just became the League's all-time leading receiver and is on the verge of becoming the top all-purpose yardage man in AFL history. The two vets have only met on the field just once since 2007 and four times in their careers, but when the Tampa Bay Storm face off with the LA KISS on Saturday, AFL fans will be given a treat as two of the greats of all-time square off in a head-to-head duel which could ultimately decide this game.
T.T. Toliver vs. Clevan Thomas Head-to-Head Statistics (4 Games)
T.T Toliver 21 receptions 323 yards 5 TDs 1-3 record
Clevan Thomas 13 tackles 1 INT 9 PBUs 3-1 record
Toliver has never really had all that much in the way of success against Thomas in his career. He is averaging just 5.25 reception and 80.75 yards per game versus Thomas and his fellow defensive backs, but more important is his 1-3 record. The only time Toliver beat Thomas in his career was in 2005 when he was a member of the Nashville Kats.
However, Toliver is playing some of the best ball of his career at the ripe age of 39. In his last five games, Toliver has amassed 50 receptions, 719 yards and 12 touchdowns, one of the best stretches he has ever had. In each of these five games, Toliver has at least eight catches, at least 100 receiving yards and at least two trips to the end zone. The last time Toliver had a stretch like this was in 2013 when he put up career-highs in catches and yards.
Thomas has 80 interceptions for his career, two of which have come this season. Thanks in part to Thomas' presence, the KISS rank No. 3 in the League in scoring defense at 48.1 points per game allowed, and they've conceded just 48 passing touchdowns, second fewest to Jacksonville.
"He's a tough man-to-man guy," said Toliver of this matchup with Thomas and the KISS. "I know I'm going to have my work cut out for me, so I'm looking forward to this week. You know, just getting back to us two old guys playing against each other. Gonna be good."
T.T. Toliver vs. Clevan Thomas Career Tale of the Tape
T.T. Toliver Clevan Thomas
15,232 Receiving Yards (No. 1) 80 Interceptions (No. 2)
1,160 Receptions (No. 2) 1,026 INT Return Yards (No. 2)
20,881 All-Purpose Yards (No. 2) 15 INT Return TDs (No. 2)
294 Receiving TDs (No. 4) 632 Tackles (No. 8)
14 AFL Seasons (No. 1) 11 AFL Seasons (No. 2)
Toliver has a legitimate chance this week to become the all-time League leader in receptions (needs five to pass Damian Harrell) and all-purpose yards (needs 162 yards to pass Barry Wagner).
On top of being historically dominant, these two players' records are unmatched by anyone at their position. With the exception of Thomas' tackles, these two men are the active League leaders in each category listed above, and no one is even remotely close to them in any of the stats. Thomas will become the active leader in tackles with just two on Saturday, surpassing the injured Marquis Floyd.
On top of everything else, Toliver and Thomas are two of the oldest players in the League. Toliver is 39 and is the oldest in the AFL. Thomas is the fifth-oldest player in the League at 37. These two men also have the most seasons played amongst active players in the AFL. Toliver is in his 14th career season. Thomas is in his 11th. No other man in the AFL has more than eight years of service.
The respect level between these two players is through the roof. The matchup is going to be one of the best in the AFL this year and should not be missed.
"Sometimes he wins, sometimes I win," said Toliver of his career matchups with his fellow future Hall of Famer. "But at the end of the day, I want to win them all."
Arena Football League Stories from June 17, 2016
- LA KISS vs. Tampa Bay Storm: 4 Things to Watch - Los Angeles KISS
- Sixth-Year Player to Make Mid-Season Impact - Los Angeles KISS
- Shark Tales: Intrastate Rivalry between Jacksonville and Orlando, a necessary step in the healing pr - Jacksonville Sharks
- Sharks vs Predators - What You Need to Know - Jacksonville Sharks
- Toliver, Thomas Setup for Hall of Fame Matchup - AFL
- Michael Lindsey Returns to Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay Storm
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.
