Soul sign two from Sunday's Open Tryout

Monday January 23, 2017

 Soul Welcome Sheehy and Kling to 2017 Roster

PHILADELPHIA – The 2016 ArenaBowl Champion Philadelphia Soul today announced that John Sheehy (6’5, 260, Western Texas A&M) and John Kling (6’8, 320, Buffalo) have joined the 2017 roster. This will be both Sheehy and Kling’s first season with the Soul and first in the Arena Football League.

Every year, the Soul have selected players from open tryouts to join the training camp roster. Sheehy and Kling join a group of notable players, including WRs Ryan McDaniel and Harvey Binford as well as K Tommy Frevert, who have proven their talents amongst hundreds of other hopeful athletes.

“Open tryouts are a great chance to find potential star athletes,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. “Finding guys like John (Sheehy) is what makes hosting these tryouts well worth the effort. Getting to the quarterback has to be a priority in arena football and I believe John has the skillset to be a great AFL pass rusher.”

Sheehy played defensive tackles and defensive end at Blinn College before transferring to Western Texas A&M. In his first season with the Buffalos (2013), he played in 13 games with two starts at defensive end and recorded 16.0 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss of 16 yards, one quarterback hurry and 1.5 sacks. After redshirting the 2014 season due to injury, Sheehy returned for the 2015 season and tallied 25.0 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss of 10 yards, nine quarterback hurries and one sack.

“With the addition of John (Kling) to our offensive line, we will be able to continue our success of leading the league in fewest quarterback sacks,” said Dolezel. “Each year we produce at least one All-Arena offensive lineman and I believe John has the qualities to reach that caliber.”

Kling played in 34 games with the Bulls and started as right tackle for both the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He started in six of 10 games in the 2013 season and helped pave the way for the fifth ranked rush offense and fourth ranked pass offense in the MAC.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA SOUL

The 2016 World Champion Philadelphia Soul are entering their 12th season in the Arena Football League. In the first 11 seasons, the Soul have won four Division Championships, four Conference Championships and two World Championships. Since the inaugural season in 2004, the Soul are the winningest professional sports team in Philadelphia. Season memberships and Group tickets for the Soul’s upcoming 2017 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Soul sales department at (215) 253-4900 ext. 3, or request contact from a Soul representative by filling out the form on www.philadelphiasoul.com. Follow the Soul on Facebook at facebook.com/soul and Twitter at twitter.com/soulfootball.