AFL offers second chance for stardom
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
The 19-team league that plays on a 50-yard field has become a practical alternative for players that for one reason or another don't make in the National Football League.
Currently, the defending Arena Bowl
champion Tampa Bay Storm leads the way with six former
black college players. The Orlando Predators and
Philadelphia Soul each has six from black colleges.
Many of the players had short stints in the NFL and have found homes in the AFL.
One former black college AFL standout, Dwaine Carpenter, formerly of the Buffalo Destroyers, went the other way using his sound play in the AFL as a springboard to a roster spot with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers last year.
So it can go both ways.
Among those currently plying their trade in the AFL, Philadelphia Soul fullback/linebacker Chris "Soul Train: Ryan was named last week as the AFL's U. S. Army Ironman of the Week for his all-around performance in his team's 47-31 win over the Dallas Desperados.
Ryan, who bounced around the camps of several NFL teams before settling for an AFL career, was a star running back at Clark Atlanta. He is in his fifth year in the AFL.
Last week Ryan had five carries for four yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He also had one reception for eight yards and a touchdown. He also excelled on defense and special teams with three solo tackles including two for a loss, two sacks and one pass defended. He also blocked a point-after-attempt by Dallas kicker Jason Wells.
This is the first time that Ryan has received an AFL weekly award.
For the season, Ryan is leading the Soul in rushing with 33 carries for 95 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 11 touchdowns on the ground place him third in the AFL in that category. He has also blocked four kicks (3 field goals, 1 PAT).
San Jose Saber Cats wide receiver/linebacker James Roe out of Norfolk State was recently named a Co-Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week.
Roe, who is in his fifth AFL season, earned the honor by helping San Jose to a 62-55 victory over the defending champion Tampa Bay Storm last Sunday. The All-Ironman performer hauled in 11 receptions for 158 yards and a league record-tying seven touchdowns. The performance set new franchise records in receiving touchdowns and points (42). This marks the third time and second consecutive week that the former Spartan has earned an AFL weekly honor.
Former South Carolina State wide receiver Freddie Solomon is nearly mirroring Roe's output for the Tampa Bay Storm. Solomon has caught 48 passes for 19 TDs so far this season for the Storm. Roe has 58 receptions and 19 TDs.
Among others are players like former North Carolina A&T standout Troy Pelshak who signed as a free agent with St. Louis in 1999 and went on to win a Super Bowl ring as an outside linebacker with the Rams. He is in his first season as an offensive and defensive lineman with the Carolina Cobras.
Another NC A&T product, wide receiver Henry Douglas, spent four years in the NFL, three with the Detroit Lions, before coming to the AFL this season with the Los Angeles Avengers. Douglas is a wide receiver/defensive back in the AFL's two-way designation. He has caught 23 passes for seven touchdowns so far for the 5-4 Avengers.
Among other black college standouts with NFL experience now playing in the AFL are former Tennessee State QB Leon Murray, now with the Georgia Force. Murray was an AFL all-Rookie selection last season.
Former Livingstone and CIAA standout running back Wilmont Perry, who spent two seasons (1998-99) with the New Orleans Saints, is in his first AFL season with the Columbus Destroyers. Perry spent two outstanding seasons (2002-03) with the AFL2 Cape Fear Wildcats before joining the Destroyers.
© 2004 Azeez Communications, Inc.