FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
STORY URL: http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/072115aaa.html
AMOS, FONTENETTE, AND REID EARN WEEKLY HONORS
Gregory and Gray also awarded for weekend’s highlights
LAS VEGAS – Spokane Shock wide receiver Anthony Amos has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while San Jose SaberCats defensive back Ken Fontenette has been awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Week, and Jacksonville Sharks defensive back Greg Reid has been awarded J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 17 of the 2015 Arena Football League season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week and AFL Highlight of the Week. The Cutters Catch of the Week has been awarded to Tampa Bay Storm wide receiver Julius Gregory, while the AFL Highlight of the Week has been awarded to San Jose SaberCats wide receiver Reggie Gray.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Amos (6-0, 185, Middle Tennessee State) set career-highs with 13 receptions for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Spokane’s 52-45 upset win over the Arizona Rattlers in Week 17. The first-year wideout leads all rookie receivers with 94 receptions for 1,038 yards this season.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fontenette (5-11, 190, Houston) followed up his AFL-record 17.5-tackle performance in Week 16 with an even more impressive showing in Week 17, tallying 17 tackles and a pair of interceptions in the SaberCats’ 55-49 overtime victory against the Portland Thunder. The League’s leading tackler now has 138.5 tackles on the season, the second-highest single-season total in AFL history.
J LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Reid (5-10, 190, Florida State) logged five tackles, three pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions – one of which was returned for a touchdown – in the Sharks’ 74-67 victory over the Philadelphia Soul in Week 17. The rookie defensive back leads the team with seven interceptions and has recorded nine takeaways in as many games this season.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Gregory (6-4, 225, Shaw) made a diving catch for a 41-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage in Tampa Bay’s 53-65 loss to the New Orleans VooDoo in Week 17. Gregory has caught a touchdown pass in 10 straight games and leads all AFL rookies with 23 receiving touchdowns on the year. This is his third Cutters Catch of Week award this season. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the reception.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Gray (5-10, 185, Western Illinois) made San Jose history in Week 17, becoming the franchise’s new single-season record holder for both receptions (147) and receiving touchdowns (42) in the SaberCats’ 55-49 overtime victory against the Portland Thunder. The League’s leading scorer in 2015 broke James Roe’s touchdown record on a 10-yard scoring strike early in the fourth quarter, helping him finish the game with 14 receptions for 130 yards and four touchdowns.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Jacksonville’s Tommy Grady, LA’s Danny Southwick, New Orleans’ Roger Jackson, Orlando’s Randy Hippeard, and San Jose’s Reggie Gray.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Cleveland’s Devon Dace, Jacksonville’s Greg Reid, LA’s Rayshaun Kizer, New Orleans’ Cortez Stubbs, and Spokane’s Mike McMillan.
J Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Cleveland’s Collin Taylor, LA’s DeMarco Sampson, New Orleans’ Adam Kennedy, San Jose’s Reggie Gray, and Spokane’s Arvell Nelson.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include LA KISS defensive back Rayshaun Kizer, New Orleans VooDoo defensive back Cortez Stubbs, and Spokane Shock defensive back Mike McMillan. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 22. The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 23.
About the AFL
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. The ESPN family of networks and CBS Sports Network will nationally broadcast AFL games each week for the entire 2015 season. This season will also be the first with Scott C. Butera leading the way as Commissioner. The AFL schedule culminates with ArenaBowl XXVIII Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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