Wild Acquire Former League MVP Quarterback

March 25, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Wichita Wild News Release


The Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League (IFL) has found a new quarterback to lead the team. In a trade that was completed late on Thursday night with the Chicago Slaughter, the Wild has acquired Ben Sankey. The Wild will send future considerations at a later date to the Slaughter. Sankey led the IFL in TD passes in 2010 with 63 as a member of the Omaha Beef and was named the IFL's Offensive Player of the Year.

Because of the timing of the trade, it is unclear whether or not Sankey will play in the Wild's home game on Saturday night.

Sankey started his professional career in the CFL in 2000. He spent the season as a back-up with the Calgary Stampeders. In 2001 Sankey earned the starting spot for Calgary, but saw his season cut short due to injury. He passed for 1,255 yards and 14 TD's.

After recovering from the injury, Sankey was signed to a contract by the Houston Texans in the summer of 2002. Sankey was released midway through the NFL season and did not see any playing time. He rejoined the Stampeders for their final seven games of the 2002 season. Sankey was again signed to a contract with the Texans in the summer of 2003. He spent the entire season on the practice squad.

In 2004 Sankey was back in the CFL, this time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a back-up. Sankey made his indoor football debut in 2005 with the Tennessee Valley Raptors. The 2006 season was Sankey's breakout year in the indoor game. He led the Rockford Raptors to the Central Division title and a 12-5 record. Sankey was named league MVP after throwing for 2,136 yards and 46 touchdowns.

Sankey returned to the CFL in 2007 with the BC Lions and was placed on the practice squad. Sankey returned to Calgary during the season and started three games for the Stampeders. He threw for 818 yards and five TD's. In 2008 Sankey was brought back to Calgary to compete for the starting job, but was sidelined due to injury. Upon recovery he was a back-up for the season.

Sankey made his return to the indoor game in 2009 as a member of the RiverCity Rage. Sankey earned the starting job, but was injured in the second game of the season. He returned to start all four post season games for the Rage leading them to IFL Championship game. Sankey threw three touchdowns in the Conference Championship vs. Wichita. In total he threw for 699 yards and 21 touchdowns in four post season games.

Sankey joined the Omaha Beef for the 2010 season playing in all 14 games and leading the Beef to a 9-5 record. Sankey threw for 2,775 yards to go with the 63 touchdown passes.

The Chicago native played college football at Wake Forest from 1996-1999. He earned the Alamo Bowl MVP award as a senior after leading the Demon Deacons to a 23-3 victory over Arizona State and an 8-5 overall record.

The Wild will take on the Sioux Falls Storm at Hartman Arena on Saturday night. The game kicks off at 7:05 PM with doors opening to the Arena at 6:00 PM. To purchase tickets to the game, call the Hartman Arena Box Office at 316-927-3999, visit www.stage1tickets.com or stop by the Hartman Arena Box Office in Park City.



Indoor Football League Stories from March 25, 2011


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