AFL awards Week 7 Players of the Week
Tuesday May 17, 2016
Raudabaugh, Ross, Gordon Earn Weekly Honors With Standout Performances
LAS VEGAS (May 17, 2016) – The Arena Football League has announced that Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh, Cleveland’s Marvin Ross and Tampa Bay’s Jimmy Gordon have been named as the Under Armour Offensive Player, Riddell Defensive Player and AFL Playmaker of the Week for Week 7, respectively. In addition to these awards, the AFL has awarded Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds the Cutters Catch of the Week, while the AFL Highlight of the Week was awarded to Orlando’s Greg Carr. Those clips can be found by following the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).
UNDER ARMOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Raudabaugh (6’3, 225, Miami, OH) completed 14-of-23 passes for 223 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Philadelphia Soul to a 65-58 victory over the Arizona Rattlers (5-2) and earned Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game honors at Wells Fargo Center this past weekend. The 2015 AFL MVP has completed 144-of-211 passes (68.2%) for 1,734 yards, 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in guiding the Soul (6-1) this season. This is the second time that Raudabaugh has earned this award this season.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ross (5’11, 180, Florida A&M) played a key role in securing the Gladiators’ 55-48 overtime victory over the Portland Steel on Monday night at Quicken Loans Arena. The rookie defensive back recorded a game-high 13.5 total tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception in the end zone that sealed the victory in overtime. Ross is No. 2 on Cleveland (3-4) with 35.0 total tackles and has added two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 14 passes defended in 2016.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK: Gordon (6’2, 275, Buffalo) put up an Ironman performance in hard-fought loss to the undefeated Orlando Predators (7-0) this weekend. The second-year veteran recorded 2.0 sacks on defense and a rushing touchdown on offense in the Storm’s 42-40 loss to rival Orlando at Amway Center on Friday night. Gordon has 10.5 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.0 tackles for loss and a pass deflection in 2016.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK: Reynolds (6’2, 210, Iowa State) caught eight passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns including hauling in an impressive 5-yard, one-handed touchdown catch to help seal the Soul’s 65-58 win over the Arizona Rattlers (5-2) at Wells Fargo Center. The former Cyclone is tied for No. 4 in the League in receptions (51), reception yards (614), and reception touchdowns (15).
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: Carr (6’6, 230, Florida State) hauled in eight passes for 116 yards and found the end zone twice in Friday’s 42-40 win over the Storm (0-6). The 2014 Rookie of the Year made a 45-yard grab that earned him Highlight of the Week honors while helping the Predators keep their undefeated season going. The former Seminole is No. 3 in the League in reception yards at 631.
Under Armour Offensive Player candidates included: Cleveland’s Arvell Nelson, Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds and Tampa Bay’s T.T. Toliver.
Riddell Defensive Player candidates included: Cleveland’s Demarcus Robinson, Tampa Bay’s James Harrell and Philadelphia’s Tracy Belton.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker candidates included: Cleveland’s Collin Taylor, Orlando’s Greg Carr and Philadelphia’s Shaun Kaulienamoku.
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
WEEK 1: Orlando’s Randy Hippeard (Offensive), Arizona’s Damien Borel and Luis Vazquez (Co-Defensive), Philadelphia’s Shaun Kauleinamoku (Playmaker), Los Angeles’ Donovan Morgan (Catch), and Cleveland’s Joe Powell (Highlight).
WEEK 2: Jacksonville’s Joe Hills (Offensive), Cleveland’s Joe Powell (Defensive), Arizona’s Rod Windsor (Playmaker), Tampa Bay’s Philip Barnett (Catch), and Orlando’s Kent Richardson (Highlight).
WEEK 3: Arizona’s Nick Davila (Offensive), Los Angeles’ Rayshaun Kizer (Defensive), Philadelphia’s Teddy Jennings (Playmaker), Cleveland’s Brandon Stephens (Catch), and Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins (Highlight).
WEEK 4: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh (Offensive), Orlando’s Varmah Sonie (Defensive), Arizona’s Maurice Purify (Playmaker), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Catch), and Cleveland’s Marvin Ross (Highlight).
WEEK 5: Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins (Offensive), Arizona’s Dimetrio Tyson (Defensive), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Playmaker), Arizona’s Rod Windsor (Catch), and Tampa Bay’s Mike Washington (Highlight)
WEEK 6: Orlando’s Randy Hippeard (Offensive), Los Angeles’ Josh Victorian (Defensive), Cleveland’s Arvell Nelson (Playmaker), Cleveland’s Collin Taylor (Catch) and Philadelphia’s Dwayne Hollis (Highlight)
ABOUT THE AFL
The Arena Football League enters its 29th Season in 2016. 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 nationally broadcast AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl on ESPN. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League, follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).