Rush All-Arena LB DeJuan Alfonzo lost for season

Thursday June 12, 2008

June 12, 2008 – The Chicago Rush got some disappointing news this week when the team learned that its All-Arena linebacker, DeJuan Alfonzo, would be lost for the season with a ruptured right biceps tendon.

“It’s a tremendous loss for the team,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “And I know nobody is more upset right now than ‘Zo. He is a great competitor and no one in the league plays the Jack linebacker position the way he does. However, we believe we have enough talent and depth to overcome his loss and make a run at another championship.”

Alfonzo suffered the injury while making a tackle in last week’s game at Cleveland. He will undergo surgery – performed by doctors Chris Giannoulias and Kevin Tu – at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital next week.

“Approximately six weeks after his surgery, DeJuan will begin a rehabilitation program to get ready for next season,” said Rush physician Raj Khanna, M.D. “His total recovery, including rehab, will take about six to eight months, but we fully expect DeJuan will be healthy and ready to play in time for the start of the 2009 season.”

One of the keys to the Rush defense that has been ranked atop the AFL for the last two seasons, Alfonzo recorded 80.0 tackles, three interceptions, four passes broken up and recovered four fumbles in 14 games this season.

Alfonzo was a First Team All-Arena selection at Jack linebacker in 2007, recording a career-high 93 tackles, six interceptions, six fumbles recovered and four fumbles forced. He set an AFL record by scoring five defensive touchdowns – three via interceptions and two via fumble recoveries – and tied an AFL record by recovering six fumbles.