AFL Awards Week 5 Players of the Week

Wednesday May 16, 2018

 Jones and Sykes help the Empire get back-to-back wins over the Valor

LAS VEGAS – The Arena Football League has announced that Albany Empire’s wide receiver Malachi Jones and defensive lineman Joe Sykes have been named as the offensive and defensive players of the week for Week 5, respectively.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Jones (6’3, 215, Appalachian State) had an impressive game in Albany’s 53-42 win over the Valor this past Friday. The rookie hauled in six receptions for 120 yards and three touchdowns along with six rushing yards and a touchdown. He currently leads the League in reception yards with 346.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Sykes (6’4, 285, Southern) got one step closer to becoming the AFL all-time sacks leader on Friday. For the third straight game, Sykes recorded two sacks giving him a career total of 59.5, one behind AFL Hall of Famer Sam Hernandez (60.5). On the season, the three-time 1st Team All-Arena selection has 10.5 total tackles and three forced fumbles to go along with his six sacks.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

WEEK 1 – Baltimore’s Randy Hippeard (Offensive) and Philadelphia’s Torez Jones (Defensive)

WEEK 2 – Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Offensive) and Philadelphia’s James Romain (Defensive)

WEEK 3 – Albany’s Joe Hills (Offensive) and Baltimore’s Virgil Gray (Defensive)

WEEK 4 – Albany’s Tommy Grady (Offensive) and Albany’s Marrio Norman (Defensive)

ABOUT THE AFL

The Arena Football League will enter its 31st Season in 2018. 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. Teams slated for 2018 include: Albany, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Washington D.C. CBS Sports Network nationally broadcasts AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl. The AFL launched AFLNow, the League’s streaming “Over-the-Top” network to give fans even more access to the League on arenafootball.com. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).