Will Pettis returns to the AFL as a Vigilante

Tuesday June 1, 2010

DALLAS, Texas – Coming off of a tough stretch of games that saw the Dallas Vigilantes battle three teams listed in the Top 5 of the latest Arena Football League Coaches' Poll, the struggling Vigilantes received a dose of good news on Tuesday with the activation of the two-time Ironman of the Year and former Dallas Desperados wide receiver/defensive back Will Pettis.

The Vigilantes also completed a trade at the league's trade deadline, acquiring quarterback Steve Wasil from the Alabama Vipers in exchange for future considerations, and placed fullback Josh White on team suspension.

Pettis is expected to make his Vigilantes debut on Saturday night when the Vigilantes host the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings at 7:30 p.m. at the American Airlines Center.

"We’re very happy to have Will Pettis back in the family,” Dallas Vigilantes interim head coach James Fuller said. “He’s done a lot in this community, both on and off the football field, and he’s meant a lot to the Dallas area. Hopefully he can come in and be the same player for the Vigilantes that he was with the Desperados.”

While it remains to be seen how Pettis will fit in immediately with one of the league’s most talented receiving corps, Fuller knows all too well what Pettis can bring to the table.

"He can do it all,” Fuller said. “His role right now will be a multi-guy. We’ll play him both on offense and defense and figure out a more prominent role as the season unfolds.”

One of the Arena Football League’s premier players, Pettis made his mark in the league as a triple threat on offense, defense, and special teams. In six seasons with the Desperados, Pettis compiled 566 receptions (23rd all-time) for 6,526 yards (26th all-time) and 142 touchdowns (22nd all-time). He has also rushed for 121 yards on 48 carries and 14 touchdowns.

The Hinesville, Ga., native also was a standout in the secondary where he totaled 223 tackles and made 20 interceptions. Pettis also excelled on special teams with 387 returns (6th all-time) for 7,502 yards (8th all-time) and 15 career touchdowns (10th all-time).

Along with being named Ironman of the Year twice in his career, Pettis was selected to the All-Ironman Team as a WR/DB all six years of his career. From 2003-05 he was named to the Second Team All-Arena as a WR/DB.

Wasil comes to the Vigilantes after serving as a back-up quarterback for much of the season with the Alabama Vipers, though he did start one game for the Vipers. Wasil also has af2 playing experience with the Albany Firebirds and was the team MVP of the Muskegon Thunder of the CIFL in 2007.