Top 25 Players in AFL History: #21 Durwood Roquemore
Published on April 5, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - Continuing its countdown of the 25 Greatest Players in AFL History, the Silver Anniversary Committee has announced its selection for the 21st Greatest Player in AFL History: Durwood Roquemore.
A two-time All-American at Texas A&M-Kingsville, Roquemore was a sixth-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1982. He spent two seasons with the Chiefs and one with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL before Washington Redskin-great Darrell Green encouraged him to explore the newly-formed Arena Football League in 1987.
"Rock" signed a contract with the Chicago Bruisers to be a wide receiver and defensive back, but despite the unique opportunity to play both ways, the 6-foot-1, 190 pound Dallas-native quickly made an impact as a defensive specialist, earning First-Team All-Arena honors in 1988.
Roquemore spent one season with the Albany Firebirds in 1990 before joining the Orlando Predators in 1991. In six years with the team, Roquemore recorded 290 tackles and 30 interceptions before retiring after the 1996 season, a year in which he was also selected to the AFL's Tenth Anniversary Team.
A five-time First-Team All-Arena selection, Roquemore was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 1999. He made three ArenaBowl appearances in his career, but never came away with a win. He left the game in 1996 as its all-time leader in interceptions (50), tackles (503), assists (77) and passes defended (98). Perhaps more impressive than his stats, however, was the fact that Roquemore played his entire nine-year career in the same pair of shoes.
During the final years of his playing career, Roquemore was tasked with calling the plays on defense. In 1997, he took to the coaching ranks as the Defensive Coordinator of the Albany Firebirds and later the Houston Thunderbears - a quick transition due to his play calling experience as a player. In 1999, he was named Head Coach of the af2's Richmond Speed.
The League's Silver Anniversary Committee will continue to countdown its list of the 25 Greatest Players in AFL History each week throughout the 2012 regular season, with the announcements of the Top 5 during the postseason.
25 Greatest Players in AFL History
21. Durwood Roquemore
22. Chris Jackson
23. Ben Bennett
24. Clevan Thomas
25. Gary Mullen
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