Howard, Phinisee, and Young earn weekly homors

Tuesday April 7, 2015

White also awarded for weekend’s highlights

CHICAGO – Portland Thunder wide receiver Jamar Howard has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Cleveland Gladiators Jack linebacker Joe Phinisee has been awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Las Vegas Outlaws wide receiver Gerald Young has been awarded J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 2 of the 2015 Arena Football League season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week and AFL Highlight of the Week. The Cutters Catch of the Week has been awarded to Arizona Rattlers wide receiver Markee White, while the AFL Highlight of the Week has been awarded to Young.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Howard (6-4, 215, Central Missouri) set single-game Portland Thunder records with 15 receptions and 221 yards to go along with four touchdowns in the team’s 48-54 loss to the Tampa Bay Storm in Week 2. Through two weeks, Howard – who has caught a touchdown pass in each of his last six games – is the League’s leading receiver with 23 catches for 335 yards and seven scores.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Phinisee (5-10, 190, Walsh) earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week after collecting five tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception returned for a touchdown in the Gladiators 70-42 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo in Week 2. He has recovered a League-high three fumbles and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns through the first two weeks of the season.

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Young (5-10, 170, Charleston Southern) set an AFL record with two missed field goal returns for touchdowns in the Outlaws’ 70-53 victory over the Arizona Rattlers in Week 2. He finished the game with 209 combined kick return yards and now ranks second in AFL history with three missed field goal returns for touchdowns in his career.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
White (6-7, 215, Texas State) led the Rattlers with 10 receptions for 107 yards and five touchdowns in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Outlaws; however, his most impressive grab came with just less than four minutes to play in the second quarter, as he flew over the wall in the back of the end zone for a two-yard score. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Young (5-10, 170, Charleston Southern) turned the tide in the Outlaws’ 70-53 victory over the Arizona Rattlers in Week 2 with two missed field goal returns for touchdowns. The first – a 52-yard run back – came as time expired in the first half to give the Outlaws a 35-34 lead heading into the locker room. As Arizona prepared to take the lead back early in the fourth, Young capitalized again with a 54-yard return, swinging the momentum all the way back to Las Vegas to help secure the first win in franchise history.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Cleveland’s Shane Austin, Jacksonville’s Anthony Jones, Arizona’s Markee White, Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh, and San Jose’s Erik Meyer.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Las Vegas’ Terrance Carter, Orlando’s O’Hara Fluellen, San Jose’s Luis Vasquez, Spokane’s Devon Dace, and Tampa Bay’s James Harrell.

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: New Orleans’ Marcus Smith, Orlando’s Bernard Morris, Philadelphia’s Marco Thomas, and San Jose’s David Hyland.

The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Las Vegas Outlaws wide receiver Gerald Young, Orlando Predators quarterback Bernard Morris and San Jose SaberCats defensive back David Hyland. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 8. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 9.

About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The ESPN family of networks and CBS Sports Network will nationally broadcast AFL games each week for the entire 2015 season. This season will also be the first with Scott C. Butera leading the way as Commissioner. The AFL schedule culminates with ArenaBowl XXVIII Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.