Horn Back for More in 2003
Patrick Daly
Thursday January 30, 2003
While some may call the touchdown play that vaulted Arizona past Carolina in the 2002 playoffs a lucky throw and catch, Horn put himself in the right place at the right time to catch the rebound off of the net on a throw from quarterback Sherdrick Bonner. The ability for a player to put himself in the right place comes with practice, hard work and through developing an understanding of the game of Arena Football.
Unfortunately, the following week, in a semifinal game against the visiting Chicago Rush, Horn injured his knee while making a catch against the boards. Despite his efforts to get back on the field in time to play in ArenaBowl XVI, Horn was forced to watch the game from the sidelines.
“That was one of life’s great challenges, standing there and watching that,” Horn said. “It’s what we worked all year to get to and to not be able to play in the game was tough.
“The day before the ArenaBowl we taped up my knee and I tried it in practice. We started off with some light cutting and moving. Then I tried to go at full speed, but the first plant I made my knee was unstable; it wasn’t ready. That was the final decision.”
Without Horn, and with an injury that knocked Stacy Evans out of the game, the Rattlers got off to the worst start in ArenaBowl history and succumbed to the San Jose SaberCats, 52-14. The game itself is history, although no player easily forgets that type of loss, especially against a bitter rival. However, that was last year.
“I think this team is made up of a lot of veterans, and with that comes a lot of experience about the game and how to approach the game and how to prepare for the game,” Horn said. “And I think that everyone understands that it is a new year. Is it in the back of people’s minds? I’d be lying if I said, ‘no.’ It’s definitely there, but it’s a new season.”
Horn returned home to Idaho in the offseason, where he rehabilitated his knee and prepared for the new season. With a focus on getting even quicker, Horn worked through an acceleration program and built up stamina by playing some basketball.
“I’ve been doing an acceleration program back in Idaho,” Horn said. “It’s actually the same program that Cris Carter uses. A lot of NFL teams use it. That’s what I’ve been doing, that and playing a lot of basketball.
“Basketball is really good because it allows you to build up your cardio doing something constructive. For me, I don’t enjoy running just for the sake of running.”
In addition to preparing for 2003 and working to complete a Masters degree in Sports Management, Horn spent time with his family, which included watching his twin sisters Jennifer and Kimberly play volleyball for a nearby community college in Oregon. Horn also spent time at Boise State games where his younger brother Jarret plays football.
In his two seasons as a Rattler, Horn has been a student of the game, learning under strong leaders like Hunkie Cooper and Sherdrick Bonner. Last season, Horn led the team with 101 catches, 1324 yards receiving and 30 touchdowns. Now in his third season, Horn sees himself continuing to become one of the team leaders.
“I think this year I can take more of a leadership role,” Horn said. “The first couple of years here I’ve kind of sat back and left the majority of the leadership to the great veterans that we have. It’s because they’re such great leaders. I’m not going to step on their toes, by any means, but I suppose that I could take more of a leadership role.”
With NBC now on board as the major broadcasting partner, players like Horn will have an opportunity to become more visible across the nation. For Rattler fans, Horn has become a household name, but this may be a chance to play in front of a new group of fans across the country. Although, along with the opportunity Horn understands the responsibility that each player continues to have when it comes to selling Arena Football.
“I think we have a responsibility, especially this year with the NBC putting our games out to the nation,” Horn said. “There are a lot of people out there that don’t a lot about Arena Football and we’re one of the great franchises in the league. I think we can help to sell this league in a positive way to the rest of the country.”
For those that are interested, Horn has one remaining paper to finish before completing his degree. Have no doubt that he will finish it and have no doubt that he’s back to help finish what the Rattlers started in 2002: an ArenaBowl title.
Patrick Daly has been an Arena Football League enthusiast since he first stumbled across the late-night ESPN broadcasts and has followed the Arizona Rattlers since their inaugural season in 1992. He graduated from Arizona State University with an engineering degree and is currently a member of a web development team for Direct Alliance in Tempe. Patrick currently resides in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Arizona with his beautiful wife, son and a very large football helmet collection.
