Valor Today
July 1, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
Washington Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson
(Washington Valor)
Valor drop matchup with Blackjacks, 70-41
The Valor (5-5), were defeated by the Atlantic City Blackjacks (4-6), 70-41, Saturday night at Capital One Arena. Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson threw for 248 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers. Wideout Dezmon Epps caught one touchdown and scored another on a kickoff return in the first quarter.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OFF. PLAYER OF THE GAME DEF. PLAYER OF THE GAME
Blackjacks QB Warren Smith Jr. Blackjacks WR Antwane Grant Blackjacks DB Arthur Hobbs
22-28 passing, 209 passing yards and seven total TDs Eight receptions, 107 yards and four TDs Eight total tackles (all solo) and two pass break-ups
Rookie DB makes immediate impact
Valor defensive back Jabari Gorman, playing in his second Arena Football League game, set a Valor single-game season high with nine total tackles (all solo).
Nelson adds to league-leading rushing numbers
Against Atlantic City, Nelson registered his 15th rushing touchdown of the season, the most in the league by five scores, and has now scored at least one rushing touchdown in eight of Washington's 10 games this season.
Valor to host Norman Elite Skills Camp on July 21
The Valor announced last week that the team will host the Norman Elite Skills Camp on Sunday, July 21 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Capital One Arena. Brothers Marrio and Josh Norman will lead campers in a day filled with activities, including skills training and film study.
Campers must be between the ages of 8-16. All campers in attendance will receive a Norman Elite Skills Camp t-shirt and lunch, as well as photo and autograph opportunities with Marrio and Josh Norman.
Registration for the Norman Elite Skills Camp is open now through this LINK.
Next up
After a bye week next weekend, the Valor return to action on July 13 at 7 p.m., taking on the Baltimore Brigade at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Md. The season series between the team is tied 1-1 with each team winning on their home turf.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Army veteran Bill Downing visits Washington Valor at Military Appreciation Game
Decorated veteran and longtime AFL fan Bill Downing visited the Washington Valor as a special guest for their Military Appreciation Game last weekend against the Atlantic City Blackjacks. Prior to the game, Downing served as co-captain and participated in the night's pregame ceremonies.
Downing, 49, began his 13-year Army career in 1988 and served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and was part of the team that provided relief support following Hurricane Katrina. During those years, Downing earned numerous service and achievement medals, including four Army accommodation medals, two Army achievement medals, The Humanitarian Medal, four Army good conduct medals, and Army combat patch and more. Downing retired to his home in Bradenton, Florida in 1997. After over a decade of struggles with post-traumatic stress, Downing attended his first Arena Football League game in 2013.
"The game saved my life," Downing said. "I felt comfortable and safe because I believe in close brotherhood and the bond of a uniform. I always wore a uniform. They truly accepted me."
"It was a pretty cool moment (pregame)," Valor Head Coach Benji McDowell said. "I met him back in 2016 and he told me a story about how he dealt with his PTSD and how arena football got him out of that and gave him something to do. We decided to invite him up here and hopefully lift his spirits. To see somebody go through something like that and to see someone enjoy what we do that much that it keeps them out of depression means a lot. I know he enjoyed it."
TICKETS:
Full season ticket memberships are currently on sale for the 2019 season and start as low as $15 per game. For additional information about joining the Gridiron 365 full season ticket membership club, as well as other group and all-inclusive ticket packages, please call the Valor Ticket Sales office at 202-661-5005 or e-mail ticketsales@washvalor.com.
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 Washington Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson |
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