Warner Not The Only ArenaBall Success Story
October 14, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
For the past four seasons, St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner has become the proverbial poster boy for Arena Football, but he is not the only former indoor football player to find success in the larger outdoor game. On Sunday, many former Arena players led their respective NFL teams to wins.
In the spring of 2000, Tommy Maddox and Michael Lewis were both on the New Jersey Red Dogs roster with San Diego Riptide GM George LaFrance. On Sunday, Maddox and Lewis' Arena Football experience helped their new teams to victories.
Against the Redskins, Lewis became the seventh player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in the New Orleans Saints 43-27 win over Washington. In all, Lewis tallied 356 all-purpose yards (70 receiving, 83 punt returns, 203 kickoff returns) on just seven touches for an amazing 50.9 yards per touch.
Lewis, like many ArenaBall players, was discovered in an open-player tryout similar to what the Riptide will be holding on Saturday, November 16 at Scripps Ranch High School. Click here for more details.
Maddox started his second game for Pittsburgh, completing 16-of-25 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown in a 34-7 win over Cincinnati. In his three appearances this season, Maddox has tossed five scores and the Steelers are 2-1.
In Indianapolis, former Minnesota Fighting Pike (1996) kicker Mike Vanderjagt connected on all five of his field goal attempts (39, 50, 43, 25, 38), including the game-winning 38-yard kick with just four seconds left as the Colts beat Baltimore 22-20. He scored 16 of the Colts 22 points. Vanderjagt, who has 42 points on the year, is well on his way to his fifth straight 100-point scoring season.
Miami receiver Oronde Gadsden (1998 Portland Forrest Dragons) nabbed five balls for 77 yards, including an 18-yarder on third and eleven, then a 29-yarder a play later to set up Ricky Williams 10-yard gallop in the second quarter in the Dolphins 24-22 win over Denver. The 1998 AFL Rookie of the Year is in his fifth season with the Dolphins.
Atlanta kicker Jay Feely (1999 Florida Bobcats, 2000 Tampa Bay Storm) kicked a 31-yard field goal and two PATs as the Falcons beat the New York Giants 17-10. Last season, Feely led all NFL rookies in scoring and is on his way to his second 100-point season.
Dallas returner Reggie Swinton (2001 Arkansas Twisters af2) had one rush for 23 yards and eight total returns in the Cowboys 14-13 win over Carolina. On the year, Swinton is averaging 28.4 yards per kickoff return, which ranks fifth in the NFL and has a 100-yard return for a score.
In a losing effort, New England receiver David Patten (1996 Albany Firebirds) caught two passes for 18 yards. On the year, he has two 100-yard performances and in the Super Bowl scored the Patriots lone offensive touchdown.
2003 Riptide season tickets begin at just $56 for eight exciting high scoring, helmet popping, action packed home games at the Sports Arena. Call the Riptide offices during Monday through Friday from 9-5pm toll-free at 866-RIPTIDE or log onto sandiegoriptide.com.
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