Rowley AF2’s top offensive player
Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Arkansas Twisters quarterback Kyle Rowley was named the Arena Football 2 Offensive Player of the Year on Monday.
Rowley said the award helped temper his disappointment from the Twisters’ firstround loss in the AF 2 playoffs.
“Not that it takes the sting away, but it does give me something to take away from the season,” Rowley said.
Rowley passed for 4, 393 yards and 89 touchdowns during the regular season. He ranked second in AF 2 in both categories. He led AF 2 in passer rating and was third in rushing touchdowns with 16.
Arkansas finished the regular season 11-5 but lost 68-55 to the Central Valley Coyotes in the playoffs Aug. 3.
This season was the first at Arkansas for Rowley and Coach Chris Siegfried. Rowley played under Siegfried in 2006 and led the Spokane Shock to the AF 2 championship.
“I honestly believe I owe everything I’ve done in my career to Coach Siegfried,” Rowley said. “He was the first coach who didn’t judge me by my size or stature [6-0, 205 pounds ]. He based what he thought about me on what he saw in practice, and that was an invaluable asset. I owe this to him as much as I do to my teammates.
“ The reason I play football is because it’s such a team sport. If one person doesn’t do his job on any assignment, 90 percent of the time the play won’t work. It would be ridiculous to think I did any of this on my own. In fact, I consider this an award the team received.” Rowley said he hopes the award will help give him a chance to play in the Arena Football League. He will attend the AF 2 championship game between Spokane and Tennessee Valley in Spokane, Wash., on Monday.
“Coaches are going to want to see game film and some kind of highlight tape, so I’ve been gathering those things,” Rowley said. “There will be AF 1 [Arena Football League ] coaches at the [AF 2 championship game ], and it will give me a chance to talk to some of them and kind of feel them out.” Rowley said he could not predict whether he would return to the Twisters if he plays in AF 2 next season.
“It’s hard to say something like that, but if I had any coach to choose to play for, it would be Coach Siegfried every time,” Rowley said. “But I expect to be in AF 1 next season, and I think he should be there as well.”
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