Celebrating the history of the Arena Football League

Cleveland's Steve Thonn out of hospital after pre-game irregular heartbeat

Adam Markowitz
Saturday April 9, 2016


Prior to Saturday night's game between the Cleveland Gladiators and Tampa Bay Storm, Gladiators coach Steve Thonn was sent to the hospital with an irregular heartbeat. Sources have confirmed to ArenaFan that Thonn is out of the hospital and has recovered.

Thonn was rushed to the hospital just an hour before kickoff on Saturday. Ron Selesky, the Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014, filled as admirably as the head coach, calling both the offense and the defense. He also had to overcome the team using Dennis Havrilla at quarterback. Havrilla replaced the injured Chris Dieker, who was placed on IR earlier in the week. Last week at this time, Havrilla was a free agent.

The Gladiators beat the Storm 41-29 in a game which came right down to the wire and was decided when Joe Powell picked off Jonathan Bane with just seconds remaining and returned it for a touchdown.


 
Adam Markowitz is an accountant living in Orlando. Adam is an old school AFLer, having followed the AFL since 1991. He attended or covered well over 200 games, including 17 ArenaBowls. Adam worked for the Arena Football League for two years as a columnist and historian before retiring in 2017 when the 50-yard indoor war left the Sunshine State. Adam still muses about the AFL on ArenaFan from time to time, and you can follow him on Twitter @adammarkowitzea.
The opinions expressed in the article above are only those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, opinions, or official stance of ArenaFan Online or its staff, or the Arena Football League, or any AFL or af2 teams.
Adam Markowitz Articles
Remembering the Founding Father of Officiating
5/21/2019
Remembering Tim Marcum
12/5/2018
An Homage to the Orlando Predators
10/12/2016
ArenaFan Staff Makes ArenaBowl XXIX Picks
8/26/2016
Super Soul Prove Doubters Wrong, Win ArenaBowl XXIX
8/26/2016
AFL could reach tipping point moment with ArenaBowl XXIX
8/25/2016
Physicality To Be Key in ArenaBowl XXIX
8/21/2016
The Greatest Game in Arena Football League History
8/6/2016
AFL Power Rankings through Week 18
8/4/2016
AFL Power Rankings through Week 16
7/21/2016
View all articles