T.T. Toliver passes Harrell, claims top spot in AFL receiving history
Adam Markowitz
Saturday June 11, 2016
TAMPA -- When Damian Harrell retired from the Arena Football League in 2011, he held the record for the most all-time receiving yards by a country mile, nearly 2,000 beyond Chris Jackson and Barry Wagner. His record stood for over six years. On Saturday night, Tampa Bay Storm WR TT Toliver etched his name in League history by breaking Harrell's record of 15,134 receiving yards for his career.
Most Receiving Yards in AFL History
T.T. Toliver – 15,232
Damian Harrell – 15,134
Tiger Jones – 13,954
Chris Jackson – 13,382
Barry Wagner – 13,363
Eddie Brown – 12,726
Donovan Morgan – 12,078
Unlike Harrell and virtually every football player we've ever seen at any level, Toliver just continues to get stronger with each passing year. He'll reach the 1,000-yard mark in just 10 games this season, and he's on a pace to set a career high for 100+ yard receiving games as well. He's 39-years old and is still going strong, entering this week ranked No. 8 in the AFL in receptions, No. 4 in receiving yards and No. 11 in receiving TDs.
Though making his way up to the No. 1 spot in receiving yards in plenty of history for one night, Toliver might not be finished there. Entering Saturday night, he needed just 12 receptions to run down Harrell for the most catches in AFL history as well.
Most Receptions in AFL History
Damian Harrell – 1,164
T.T. Toliver – 1,160
Lawrence Samuels – 1,030
Tiger Jones – 1,006
Chris Jackson – 1,004
What has set Toliver apart from the rest of the field is his ability to adapt and play different positions for his team. The game of arena football isn't what it used to be when Toliver entered the league and most players were forced to play offense, defense and special teams, but that doesn't mean he can't be valuable on both sides of the ball. Toliver, who started his career as a defensive specialist in 2002, is one of the best kick returners in the history of the AFL. Though this current crop of excellent wide outs will surely surpass his receiving yards total at some point down the line, Toliver's soon-to-be record for all-purpose yards in a career – another mark he could conceivably reach on Saturday night – is one which won't be touched for quite a while.
Most All-Purpose Yards in AFL History
Barry Wagner – 21,042
T.T. Toliver – 20,956
Hunkie Cooper – 20,586
George LaFrance – 20,436
Chris Jackson – 16,654
Siaha Burley – 16,541
Sedrick Robinson – 16,313
Eddie Brown – 15,482
Damian Harrell – 15,478
Alvin Ashley – 15,400
Tyronne Jones – 14,703
Willis Marshall – 14,184
Will Pettis – 14,086
Tiger Jones – 14,035
Statistics current through 9:00 p.m. ET
