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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Wrong call made on "Greatest Player"

by David Harwood
January 19, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)


Just like the Troy Polamalu's interception on Sunday in Indianapolis, someone on the AFL's "20th Season Historical Committee" missed the call on Wednesday as it was Eddie Brown, not Barry Wagner winning the AFL's Greatest Player of All Time.

Eddie Brown narrowly defeated Barry Wagner 136 votes to 135, with George LaFrance, Jay Gruden and Hernandez "Hunkie" Cooper rounding out the top five. Interesting in the voting as Brown earned no first place votes, while Wagner earned three. 

#. Player, Pos          Votes (1st)
=================================== 
1. Eddie Brown, OS      136   (0)    
2. Barry Wagner, WR/DB  135   (3)    
3. George LaFrance, OS  126   (1)    
4. Jay Gruden, QB       122   (2)    
5. Hunkie Cooper, WR/LB 113   (1)

What is the big deal is probably what some people are asking? Wagner finished a close second, right? Here is the problem. Eddie Brown is clearly a top-5 player in AFL history, however was a one dimensional player at Offensive Specialist. If this was the NFL, great, Brown was probably one of the best WR's in the league and may deserve this award then, ala Jerry Rice, however this is not the NFL.

The AFL stands out to everyone as being the game where players play both sides of the ball, and are true "Ironman". Not the NFL, CFL or even the other Indoor leagues do you see players perform at the same intensity. Heck, even NFL fans get excited when players like Antwaan Randle El throw a pass or LB Mike Vrabel catches a pass.

If being a true Ironman wasn't enough, let's look at the hardware and records.

Eddie Brown won league MVP in 1994, earned two Offensive Player of the Year awards in 1996 and 1999, and was named to the All-Arena team four times. Brown was named Arena Bowl MVP in his one trip in 1999. "Touchdown" Eddie Brown holds the single-game record for most touchdowns in a game with nine, while being ranked second all-time in receptions (950), receiving yardage (12,736), scoring with 2,064 points, receptions with 950, and total TDs with 344. Brown is ranked first all-time in receiving touchdowns (303).

Barry Wagner won six consecutive Ironman of the Year awards from 1992 to 1997, and was named to the All-Arena team eight times. Wagner made seven trips to the Arena Bowl, earning three rings (1998, 2002 and 2004) and earned Arena-Bowl Ironman of the game four times. "Wags" (also known as "The Michael Jordan of Arena Football") is first all-time in receptions (962), receiving yardage (13,089) and rushing touchdowns (125). He is currently second all-time in receiving touchdowns (263) and in all-purpose yards, 165 behind former Arizona Rattler Hunkie Cooper for the all-time lead. If his offensive numbers were not enough, Wagner is also ranked first all-time in tackles (645), forced fumbles (26), and 3rd in interceptions (46).

Mike Hohensee said it best, as he was quoted saying about Wagner in yesterdays AFL release "The best two-way player that played the game" and "He is the prototypical Arena Football player".

We commend the AFL on putting together this list for all AFL fans and the advances they have made the past 20 seasons. We look forward to the 20 greatest games, the 20 greatest moments and 20 greatest teams as well, and with top-20 lists... there is always room for opinion. Who knows, this might be great ammo for in your debate at the water cooler with your co-worker.

*Statistics courtesy of ArenaFan.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 19, 2006


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