Samuels continues assault on record books

Tuesday May 13, 2008

Lawrence Samuels set AFL mark for consecutive games with a catch

TAMPA – Ironman Lawrence Samuels set a new Arena Football League mark this past weekend as he caught a pass in his 129th consecutive game surpassing the record set by Cory Fleming (128).  Samuels’ streak of consecutive games with a catch extends back to the first game in the 2000 season.

The streak began April 15, 2000 at home against the New England Sea Wolves with a modest three receptions for 26 yards.  May 9, 2008 versus the New Orleans VooDoo, Samuels caught a touchdown in the first quarter to set the new and current mark at 129 games.  However, a more impressive milestone is in his sights: 1,000 receptions.

Samuels currently has 971 receptions which is 20 shy of Barry Wagner’s AFL leading 991 career receptions.  Yet more impressive is the fact that he only needs 29 more to become the sixth player in all of professional football to accumulate 1,000 career receptions.

With 29 receptions he would become the first player in the AFL to reach the 1,000 reception milestone joining NFL receivers Jerry Rice, Chris Carter, Tim Brown, and Marvin Harrison, as well as the CFL’s Terry Vaughn.

Career Reception Leaders

Player                          League               Receptions
Jerry Rice                     NFL                     1,549
Chris Carter                  NFL                     1,101
Tim Brown                    NFL                     1,094
Marvin Harrison             NFL                     1,042*
Terry Vaughn               CFL                     1,006
Darren Flutie                 CFL                     972
Lawrence Samuels        AFL                      971*
Allen Pitts                      CFL                     966
Damien Harrell              AFL                      958*
Andre Reed                  NFL                     951
* active

The 2008 Storm Season, presented by Champs Sports, Where Sport Lives, returns to the St. Pete Times Forum Friday, May 23rd as the Storm take on the Cleveland Gladiators at 7:30 p.m.  Single tickets and tailgate packages are on sale now at the McDonald’s Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum, ticketmaster.com and through Ticketmaster by phone at 813.287.8844 or 727.898.2100, or by calling 813.301-6600.  Tailgate packages are priced at $25 and include game ticket, barbecue from Shane’s Rib Shack, beer, wine and soda.  For dinner reservations at Medallions Restaurant on the day of the event please call 813.301.6926.