AFL Press ReleaseTop 25 players in AFL history: #20 Alvin Rettig
Thursday April 12, 2012
CHICAGO – Continuing its countdown of the 25 Greatest Players in AFL History, the Silver Anniversary Committee has announced its selection for the 20th Greatest Player in AFL History: Alvin Rettig.
Rettig has the unique distinction of making ArenaBowl appearances in all six of his Arena Football League seasons as a fullback and linebacker for the League’s first dynasty, the Detroit Drive. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound bruiser came away with championship rings in four of those six seasons.
Although he debuted in 1988 with three sacks and two fumble recoveries as a rookie, Rettig didn’t come into his own until 1990. That year, he earned Second-Team All-Arena honors and was named Ironman of the Game in ArenaBowl IV.
Rettig was selected Second-Team All-Arena again in 1991 after recording career highs in rushing yards (162) and touchdowns (8), but his best season came the following year. In 1992, Rettig led the League with 11 sacks, five of which were recorded in one game against the Cincinnati Rockers. That mark of five sacks in a single game remains a League record.
Following the 1993 season, Rettig called it a career, retiring with 556 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns to go with 20.5 sacks.
In 1998, Rettig was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame as a member of its inaugural class. When the AFL Historical Committee voted on the 20 Greatest Players in AFL History in 2006, Rettig came in at No. 16.
His six ArenaBowl appearances tie him with Flint Fleming and fellow Hall of Famer Stevie Thomas for the third-most in Arena Football history.
The League’s Silver Anniversary Committee will continue to countdown its list of the 25 Greatest Players in AFL History each week throughout the 2012 regular season, with the announcements of the Top 5 during the postseason.
25 Greatest Players in AFL History
20. Alvin Rettig
22. Chris Jackson
23. Ben Bennett
24. Clevan Thomas
25. Gary Mullen
