Rampage DB Martin, DL/LB McFadden named to AFL All-Rookie team

Tuesday June 24, 2008

Only Second Pair of Grand Rapids Players to Earn Honor in Same Season

GRAND RAPIDS – Following the end of the regular season, the Arena Football League named Grand Rapids Rampage defensive back Chris Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and defensive lineman/linebacker Michael McFadden (Saginaw, Mich.) to its 2008 All-Rookie Team. The defensive duo became the first pair of Rampage players to make the squad in the same season since Corey Mayfield and Buster Stanley earned the honor in 1999.

Martin finished second on Grand Rapids with 85 tackles, broke up five passes, recovered four fumbles and logged two interceptions in 15 games played this year. His 82 kickoff returns and 1,663 kickoff return yards set AFL rookie records, while his six kickoff returns for touchdowns led the league and tied a team single-season mark.

McFadden paced all Rampage players with four sacks this season, including a team record-tying three sack performance against the Kansas City Brigade on April 25. Despite beginning the season on the team’s injured reserve list, he led Grand Rapids with five tackles for loss, totaled 20 tackles overall and added a forced fumble in nine games.

Grand Rapids will make its return to the AFL playoffs this Monday when it travels to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Rattlers at 9:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN2.

The Grand Rapids Rampage are celebrating their 11th season in the Arena Football League. The Rampage, ArenaBowl XV champions, compete in the league’s American Conference, and play their games at Centennial Wireless Field in Van Andel Arena.

The Arena Football League, in its 22nd season, was dubbed the fifth major-league sport by ESPN the Magazine in 2004. The league consists of 17 teams split into two conferences and four divisions.

For the latest team news, visit RampageFootball.com.