06/26/2012 4:26 PM - CHICAGO – Utah Blaze QB TOMMY GRADY has been awarded the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Jacksonville SharksDB LaROCHE JACKSON has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Chicago Rush WR REGGIE GRAY has been named JLS Ironman of the Week for Week 16 of the 2012 AFL season. Gray was also awarded the Cutters Catch of the Week. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Spalding Highlight of the Week, and the AFL Playmaker of the Week. The AFL Playmaker of the Week is Spokane Shock QB KYLE ROWLEY and the Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Cleveland Gladiators WR MAURICE WILLIAMS.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Grady (6-7, 250, Utah) broke the single-season AFL passing touchdown record in Week 16 by tossing his 118th score of the year in the team’s 61-38 victory over the Georgia Force. Grady completed an AFL season-high 83.9 percent of his passes in the win. He also eclipsed the 5,000-yard mark, reaching the milestone faster than any player in AFL history. His 5,104 yards leads the AFL.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jackson (5-11, 190, Clark Atlanta) recorded a team-high 10.5 tackles to go with two interceptions, 3 pass breakups and a forced fumble in the Sharks’ 56-42 victory over the Cleveland Gladiators in Week 16. Jackson has four interceptions over the last four games.
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Gray (5-10, 175, Western Illinois) scored five times in Chicago’s 59-41 road win over the Kansas City Command in Week 16. Gray caught a Rush season-high 13 passes for 127 yards and four touchdowns through the air, but also shined as a kick returner, fielding four kicks for 101 yards, including a 56-yard kickoff return touchdown. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by JLS for his efforts.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Gray also earned Cutters Catch of the Week honors for his acrobatic 16-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter of the team’s Week 16 victory. Gray made a leaping grab into the wall in the back of the end zone for an early Rush score. He will be awarded a Cutters hat and shirt for his efforts.
AFL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Rowley (6-1, 205, Brown) set a new single-game AFL record with 12 touchdown passes in the team’s 90-63 rout of the San Jose SaberCats in Week 16. Rowley finished the game 30-of-37 for 392 yards. He is the fourth West Division quarterback to pass for at least 10 touchdowns in a game this season.
SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Williams (6-1, 195, Pittsburgh) returned a kickoff 53 yards just before the end of the first quarter. The touchdown came in just his second kick return of the year.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Nick Davila, Chicago’s Russ Michna, Jacksonville’s Bernard Morris, Orlando’s Glen Fox, Philadelphia’s Tiger Jones, Spokane’s Kyle Rowley and Tampa Bay’s Nick Hill.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Virgil Gray, Chicago’s Jorrick Calvin, Orlando’s Kenny McEntyre, Philadelphia’s Rayshaun Kizer, Spokane’s Paul Stephens, Tampa Bay’s Steve Octavien and Utah’s Mike Lewis.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Jacksonville’s Terrance Smith, Kansas City’s Jackie Chambers, Milwaukee’s Marcus Everett, Orlando’s Chris Jamison, Philadelphia’s Jeff Hughley, San Antonio’s Jamar Ransom, San Jose’s Huey Whittaker and Utah’s Shaun Kauleinamoku.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the National Guard MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include San Jose QB Mark Grieb, Spokane QB Kyle Rowley and Utah QB Tommy Grady. Fans will have 24 hours to vote beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27. The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 28.
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