LAS VEGAS (June 21, 2016) – The Arena Football League has announced that Cleveland’s Arvell Nelson, Arizona’s Jeremy Kellem and Orlando’s Greg Carr have been named as the Under Armour Offensive Player, Riddell Defensive Player and AFL Playmaker of the Week for Week 12, respectively. In addition to these awards, the AFL has awarded Arizona’s Maurice Purify the Cutters Catch of the Week, while the AFL Highlight of the Week was awarded to Jacksonville’s Joe Hills. Those clips can be found by following the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).
UNDER ARMOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nelson (6’5, 225, Texas Southern) connected on 21-of-35 passes for 249 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Cleveland Gladiators to a 58-49 victory over the Portland Steel at the Moda Center this past weekend. He also added 16 rushing yards. The third-year veteran has connected on 172-of-296 passes (58.1%) for 2,232 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2016. Nelson and the Gladiators (6-6) will travel to Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena to play the Jacksonville Sharks (5-6) on Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kellem (5’10, 195, Middle Tennessee State) led the Rattlers (9-3) defense as they defeated the Philadelphia Soul, 80-63, this past weekend at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 2015 Defensive Back of the Year had 9.0 total tackles, one pass breakup and a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown that helped seal the victory. In two games since returning to Arizona, Kellem has 16.0 total tackles, one interception and three pass breakups for the National Conference leaders. Kellem and the Rattlers will travel to Honda Center to play the rival Los Angeles KISS (5-6) on Sunday, June 26 at 6 p.m. ET on WatchESPN.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK: Carr (6’6, 230, Florida State) helped lead the American Conference-leading Orlando Predators to a 44-34 victory over the Jacksonville Sharks (5-6) at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena this past weekend. The two-year veteran hauled in four receptions for 75 yards and four touchdowns. The former Seminole is No. 2 on the Predators (10-2) with 70 receptions for 990 receiving yards, 23 receiving touchdowns and 138 points in 2016. Carr and the Predators will host long-time rival, Tampa Bay Storm at Amway Center on Friday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK: Purify (6’4, 225, Nebraska) kept his eye on a ball that was tipped by two Philadelphia Soul defensive players to make an excellent touchdown catch in Arizona’s 80-63 win over the Soul. The former Cornhusker hauled in four receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns. In nine games this season, Purify has caught 54 passes for 678 yards and 22 touchdowns.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: Hills (6’4, 220, Tennessee State) didn’t let an Orlando Predator defensive player and the wall keep him from making a phenomenal touchdown grab in the fourth quarter. The catch is not only this week’s Highlight, but was No. 9 on SportsCenter Top 10 plays on Saturday night. Hills pulled down 11 receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns.
Under Armour Offensive Player candidates included: Arizona’s Chase Deadder, Orlando’s Greg Carr and Los Angeles’ Pete Thomas.
Riddell Defensive Player candidates included: Arizona’s Arkeith Brown, Cleveland’s Marvin Ross, Jacksonville’s LaRoche Jackson and Los Angeles’ Josh Victorian.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker candidates included: Arizona’s Dan Buckner, Cleveland’s Quentin Sims, Los Angeles’ Rory Nixon and Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins.
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
WEEK 1: Orlando’s Randy Hippeard (Offensive), Arizona’s Damien Borel and Luis Vazquez (Co-Defensive), Philadelphia’s Shaun Kauleinamoku (Playmaker), Los Angeles’ Donovan Morgan (Catch), and Cleveland’s Joe Powell (Highlight).
WEEK 2: Jacksonville’s Joe Hills (Offensive), Cleveland’s Joe Powell (Defensive), Arizona’s Rod Windsor (Playmaker), Tampa Bay’s Philip Barnett (Catch), and Orlando’s Kent Richardson (Highlight).
WEEK 3: Arizona’s Nick Davila (Offensive), Los Angeles’ Rayshaun Kizer (Defensive), Philadelphia’s Teddy Jennings (Playmaker), Cleveland’s Brandon Stephens (Catch), and Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins (Highlight).
WEEK 4: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh (Offensive), Orlando’s Varmah Sonie (Defensive), Arizona’s Maurice Purify (Playmaker), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Catch), and Cleveland’s Marvin Ross (Highlight).
WEEK 5: Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins (Offensive), Arizona’s Dimetrio Tyson (Defensive), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Playmaker), Arizona’s Rod Windsor (Catch), and Tampa Bay’s Mike Washington (Highlight)
WEEK 6: Orlando’s Randy Hippeard (Offensive), Los Angeles’ Josh Victorian (Defensive), Cleveland’s Arvell Nelson (Playmaker), Cleveland’s Collin Taylor (Catch) and Philadelphia’s Dwayne Hollis (Highlight)
WEEK 7: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh (Offensive), Cleveland’s Marvin Ross (Defensive), Tampa Bay’s Jimmy Gordon (Playmaker), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Catch), and Orlando’s Greg Carr (Highlight).
WEEK 8: Jacksonville’s Tommy Grady (Offensive), Jacksonville’s Greg Reid (Defensive), Cleveland’s Collin Taylor (Playmaker), Arizona’s Joe Matthews (Catch) and Philadelphia’s LaRico Stevenson (Highlight).
WEEK 9: Jacksonville’s Joe Hills (Offensive), Cleveland’s Marvin Ross (Defensive), Los Angeles’ Donovan Morgan (Playmaker), Cleveland’s Quentin Sims (Catch) and Tampa Bay’s T.T. Toliver (Highlight).
WEEK 10: Arizona’s Nick Davila (Offensive), Portland’s Sergio Gilliam (Defensive), Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins (Playmaker), Orlando’s Varmah Sonie (Catch) and Jacksonville’s Reggie Gray (Highlight).
WEEK 11: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh (Offensive), Jacksonville’s Greg Reid (Defensive), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Playmaker), Orlando’s Greg Carr (Catch) and Tampa Bay’s T.T. Toliver (Highlight).
ABOUT THE AFL
The Arena Football League enters its 29th Season in 2016. 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 nationally broadcast AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl on ESPN. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League, follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).
UNDER ARMOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nelson (6’5, 225, Texas Southern) connected on 21-of-35 passes for 249 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Cleveland Gladiators to a 58-49 victory over the Portland Steel at the Moda Center this past weekend. He also added 16 rushing yards. The third-year veteran has connected on 172-of-296 passes (58.1%) for 2,232 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2016. Nelson and the Gladiators (6-6) will travel to Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena to play the Jacksonville Sharks (5-6) on Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kellem (5’10, 195, Middle Tennessee State) led the Rattlers (9-3) defense as they defeated the Philadelphia Soul, 80-63, this past weekend at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 2015 Defensive Back of the Year had 9.0 total tackles, one pass breakup and a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown that helped seal the victory. In two games since returning to Arizona, Kellem has 16.0 total tackles, one interception and three pass breakups for the National Conference leaders. Kellem and the Rattlers will travel to Honda Center to play the rival Los Angeles KISS (5-6) on Sunday, June 26 at 6 p.m. ET on WatchESPN.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK: Carr (6’6, 230, Florida State) helped lead the American Conference-leading Orlando Predators to a 44-34 victory over the Jacksonville Sharks (5-6) at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena this past weekend. The two-year veteran hauled in four receptions for 75 yards and four touchdowns. The former Seminole is No. 2 on the Predators (10-2) with 70 receptions for 990 receiving yards, 23 receiving touchdowns and 138 points in 2016. Carr and the Predators will host long-time rival, Tampa Bay Storm at Amway Center on Friday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK: Purify (6’4, 225, Nebraska) kept his eye on a ball that was tipped by two Philadelphia Soul defensive players to make an excellent touchdown catch in Arizona’s 80-63 win over the Soul. The former Cornhusker hauled in four receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns. In nine games this season, Purify has caught 54 passes for 678 yards and 22 touchdowns.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: Hills (6’4, 220, Tennessee State) didn’t let an Orlando Predator defensive player and the wall keep him from making a phenomenal touchdown grab in the fourth quarter. The catch is not only this week’s Highlight, but was No. 9 on SportsCenter Top 10 plays on Saturday night. Hills pulled down 11 receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns.
Under Armour Offensive Player candidates included: Arizona’s Chase Deadder, Orlando’s Greg Carr and Los Angeles’ Pete Thomas.
Riddell Defensive Player candidates included: Arizona’s Arkeith Brown, Cleveland’s Marvin Ross, Jacksonville’s LaRoche Jackson and Los Angeles’ Josh Victorian.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker candidates included: Arizona’s Dan Buckner, Cleveland’s Quentin Sims, Los Angeles’ Rory Nixon and Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins.
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
WEEK 1: Orlando’s Randy Hippeard (Offensive), Arizona’s Damien Borel and Luis Vazquez (Co-Defensive), Philadelphia’s Shaun Kauleinamoku (Playmaker), Los Angeles’ Donovan Morgan (Catch), and Cleveland’s Joe Powell (Highlight).
WEEK 2: Jacksonville’s Joe Hills (Offensive), Cleveland’s Joe Powell (Defensive), Arizona’s Rod Windsor (Playmaker), Tampa Bay’s Philip Barnett (Catch), and Orlando’s Kent Richardson (Highlight).
WEEK 3: Arizona’s Nick Davila (Offensive), Los Angeles’ Rayshaun Kizer (Defensive), Philadelphia’s Teddy Jennings (Playmaker), Cleveland’s Brandon Stephens (Catch), and Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins (Highlight).
WEEK 4: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh (Offensive), Orlando’s Varmah Sonie (Defensive), Arizona’s Maurice Purify (Playmaker), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Catch), and Cleveland’s Marvin Ross (Highlight).
WEEK 5: Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins (Offensive), Arizona’s Dimetrio Tyson (Defensive), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Playmaker), Arizona’s Rod Windsor (Catch), and Tampa Bay’s Mike Washington (Highlight)
WEEK 6: Orlando’s Randy Hippeard (Offensive), Los Angeles’ Josh Victorian (Defensive), Cleveland’s Arvell Nelson (Playmaker), Cleveland’s Collin Taylor (Catch) and Philadelphia’s Dwayne Hollis (Highlight)
WEEK 7: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh (Offensive), Cleveland’s Marvin Ross (Defensive), Tampa Bay’s Jimmy Gordon (Playmaker), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Catch), and Orlando’s Greg Carr (Highlight).
WEEK 8: Jacksonville’s Tommy Grady (Offensive), Jacksonville’s Greg Reid (Defensive), Cleveland’s Collin Taylor (Playmaker), Arizona’s Joe Matthews (Catch) and Philadelphia’s LaRico Stevenson (Highlight).
WEEK 9: Jacksonville’s Joe Hills (Offensive), Cleveland’s Marvin Ross (Defensive), Los Angeles’ Donovan Morgan (Playmaker), Cleveland’s Quentin Sims (Catch) and Tampa Bay’s T.T. Toliver (Highlight).
WEEK 10: Arizona’s Nick Davila (Offensive), Portland’s Sergio Gilliam (Defensive), Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins (Playmaker), Orlando’s Varmah Sonie (Catch) and Jacksonville’s Reggie Gray (Highlight).
WEEK 11: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh (Offensive), Jacksonville’s Greg Reid (Defensive), Philadelphia’s Darius Reynolds (Playmaker), Orlando’s Greg Carr (Catch) and Tampa Bay’s T.T. Toliver (Highlight).
ABOUT THE AFL
The Arena Football League enters its 29th Season in 2016. 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 nationally broadcast AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl on ESPN. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League, follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).