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AFL Arena Football League

Top 25 Ironmen in AFL History: No. 1-10

June 22, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


CHICAGO - Completing its countdown of the 25 Greatest Receivers in AFL History, the Silver Anniversary Committee has announced the five greatest receivers in Arena Football history. The Committee, which consists of longtime League executives, coaches, media members and former players, was asked to weigh in on which two-way players best displayed excellence on the field, showcased the highest level of talent in multiple areas of the game and meant the most to their teams.

1. Barry Wagner, WR/DB

There was little debate as to who the greatest Ironman of all-time would be. Barry Wagner won the Ironman of the Year award an unprecedented six consecutive years in a row. The eight-time All-Arena selection played 16 years of Arena Football and holds just about every record there is to own. As a rookie with the Orlando Predators in 1992, Wagner orchestrated what has become known as the "Miracle Minute," when he caught two touchdown passes and a game-winning two-point conversion, recovered an onside-kick and made the game-saving tackle, all in the final 60 seconds against the Detroit Drive. In 1993, he began a streak of seven consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards and 20 touchdown catches. A perennial playoff participant, Wagner caught more postseason passes (175) and recorded more receiving yards (2,228) than any player in AFL history. Defensively, he also forced more fumbles (28) than any player in AFL history. With seven ArenaBowl appearances to his name, Wagner also holds the AFL record for most championship game receptions in a career (33) and ArenaBowl interceptions in a career (4). He finished his career as the AFL's all-time leader in points (2,490) and touchdowns (410) and ranks second in AFL history in receiving yards (13,363). Wagner was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2011.

2. Hunkie Cooper, WR/LB

There may not be a player in AFL history more synonymous with a single franchise than Hunkie Cooper is with the Arizona Rattlers. Cooper made an immediate impact in the League, earning MVP honors as a rookie in 1993. A six-time All-Arena selection, Cooper was a fan favorite in Arizona for more than a decade. He still holds the franchise record for receptions in a single game with 19 against Tampa Bay in 1993. He was also a threat on defense and in the return game. Cooper ranks first in AFL history in combined kick return yards (11,499) and postseason all-purpose yards (3,768). Cooper finished his career in 2005 with nearly 9,000 receiving yards to go with 196 tackles and 15 interceptions - seven of which were returned for scores. He was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2011.

3. Will Pettis, WR/DB

An All-Ironman selection for five consecutive seasons from 2004-2008, Pettis was one of the original af2 success stories, making his Arena Football debut with the Pensacola Barracudas in 2002. The following year, he made the jump to the AFL and spent all seven years of his career in Dallas. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2003 and was selected Second-Team All-Arena in three consecutive seasons from 2003 to 2005. By 2006, Pettis owned every major receiving record in Desperados franchise history, but his best statistical season came in 2007, when he totaled 128 catches for 1,441 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also posted a career-best 56 tackles on defense. Pettis was named Ironman of the Year in 2007 and 2008 and finished his career in 2010 with more than 14,000 all-purpose yards and a total of 173 combined touchdowns.

4. Lawrence Samuels

Samuels spent 15 seasons in a Storm uniform and from 2003 to 2007, Samuels earned five straight Second-Team All-Arena selections as a receiver and linebacker. He was also a four-time All-Ironman selection. In the mid-2000s, Samuels strung together four consecutive seasons with triple-digit receptions, double-digit touchdowns and at least 1,110 receiving yards. He retired following the 2010 season with 11,820 career receiving yards and 1,035 career receptions, good for the fifth- and second-most totals in AFL history for categories, respectively, and 34 fumble recoveries - more than any player in League history. His number 22 jersey was retired by the Storm in 2012.

5. Greg Hopkins, WR/LB

The Ironman from Slippery Rock was as reliable as they come. Though often overshadowed by teammate "Touchdown" Eddie Brown, Hopkins put together a stellar 11-year career in the AFL. His first taste of Arena Football action came in 1996 with the Albany Firebirds, but Hopkins really began to hit his stride in 1999, when he became a key player on the Firebirds ArenaBowl XIII championship team. In 2000, he tallied 111 catches for 1,295 yards and 30 touchdowns and in 2002, he earned Ironman of the Year honors as a member of the Los Angeles Avengers. He finished the year with 102 catches for 1,185 yards and 29 touchdowns on offense to go with 31 tackles and five interceptions on defense, three of which were returned for scores. Hopkins ranks second in AFL history with 10 career touchdowns off interceptions. The Avengers retired his number 82 jersey in 2007. The AFL Historical Committee named him the 14th Greatest Player in AFL History in 2006, while the Silver Anniversary Committee selected him as the 15th Greatest Receiver in AFL History in 2012.

6. Randy Gatewood, WR/DB

With six All-Arena and three All-Ironman selections to his name, Randy Gatewood solidified himself as one of the all-time greats in Arena Football history. Gatewood was named Ironman of the Year twice, first receiving the honor in 2003. That year, he caught 68 passes for 774 yards and 31 touchdowns on offense and recorded 36 tackles and nine interceptions on defense. In 2006, he again won the award, topping his previous stat line by registering career-highs in every major receiving category with 89 catches for 1,175 yards and 35 touchdowns. He added three interceptions and 59 tackles - another career-best - on defense. The AFL Historical Committee selected Gatewood as the 17th Greatest Player in AFL History in 2006, while the Silver Anniversary Committee dubbed him the 11th Greatest Receiver in AFL History in 2012.

7. Sylvester Bembery, OL/DL

One of the most dominant players in AFL history, Bembery was an immediate force on both sides of the line throughout his entire career in the League. As a rookie in 1988, Bembery recorded 8.5 sacks for the New England Steamrollers. A five-time All-Arena selection, Bembery earned two ArenaBowl championships with the Tampa Bay Storm in 1995 and 1996. He retired following the 2001 season as the League's all-time leader in sacks with 43 to his name. The 13-year veteran was selected to both the AFL's 10th and 15th Anniversary Teams and his number 78 jersey was retired by the Storm in 2002. In 2006, the AFL Historical Committee selected him as the Seventh Greatest Player in AFL History, while the Silver Anniversary Committee named him No. 11 on its list of the 25 Greatest Players in AFL History in 2012. Bembery was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2011.

8. Darryl Hammond, WR/LB

One of the game's great Ironmen, Hammond made his Arena Football debut with the Albany Firebirds in 1991. The transition to "Ironman Football" was made to look easy for Hammond, who played both receiver and strong safety in college. As a rookie, he recorded five interceptions - good for the second-highest total in the AFL in 1991 - and ranked second on the team with 48 tackles on defense and 27 receptions for 254 yards and seven touchdowns on offense. As a member of the Nashville Kats in 2000, Hammond was selected to the first of four All-Ironman teams in his career and paced the Kats to their first trip the ArenaBowl. He retired in 2006 after 16 years of service and 186 games played.

9. DeJuan Alfonzo, WR/LB

A four-time All-Ironman selection, "Zo" got his first taste of Arena Football action with the Indiana Firebirds in 2002. Alfonzo played defensive back in college, but slowly transitioned into a two-way player after joining the Chicago Rush in 2003. By 2006, Alfonzo began starring as both a receiver and linebacker and played a key role in the team's run to ArenaBowl XX. He was named First-Team All-Arena in 2006 and 2007 and earned JLS Ironman of the Year honors in 2010. He retired in 2011 after nine years in the League.

10. Sam Hernandez, OL/DL

The AFL's all-time sack leader was as much of an asset on the offensive line as on the defensive line throughout his 13 year AFL career. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound big man even tallied seven offensive scores during his time in the League. Defensively, he was a monster, recording 154 career tackles and an AFL-record 59 sacks. He was named the AFL's Lineman of the Year in 2000 and was selected by the AFL Historical Committee as the 13th Greatest Player in AFL History in 2006. He was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2011.

25 Greatest Ironmen in Arena Football History

1. Barry Wagner

2. Hunkie Cooper

3. Will Pettis

4. Lawrence Samuels

5. Greg Hopkins

6. Randy Gatewood

7. Sylvester Bembery

8. Darryl Hammond

9. DeJuan Alfonso

10. Sam Hernandez

11. Chad Dukes

12. Andre Bowden

13. Kevin Ingram

14. Cory Fleming

15. Bob McMillen

16. John Moyer

17. James Roe

18. B.J. Cohen

19. Dwayne Dixon

20. Kyle Moore-Brown

21. Rashied Davis

22. Gary Mullen

23. Gary Compton

24. Jermaine Smith

25. Jarrick Hillery

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