Allen, TX: The Allen Wranglers announced today the release of Terrell Owens, the most highly anticipated player in IFL history. This decision comes as the team enters the late portion of the season with aspirations of earning a spot in the playoffs and making a solid run for the United Bowl. Owens joined the team in February and recently made it clear that he had no intentions of playing in the team’s upcoming crucial away games in Nebraska and Everett.
Due to his high profile status and his accomplishments in the NFL, the Wranglers signed Owens with high expectations of positive things for the team, the league and the community.
Unfortunately, the team’s ownership does not believe that these expectations have been met . “It is difficult to look other players on this team in the eyes and tell them that being a team player is important…that giving it your all on the field every night is our expectation, when another member of this team is not operating by these standards”, stated team President and Co-Owner Tommy Benizio. ”The proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back for Mr. Owens was his no – show to a scheduled appearance at a local children’s hospital with other Wrangler players and coaches. It is not the desire of the Allen Wranglers’ organization to disappoint fans by having our most notable player miss a scheduled appearance.”
Team owner Jon Frankel said “Our fans are amongst the best in the league and it is impossible to maintain a player when even our fans notice and comment on a player’s lack of effort both on and off the field. We need to do what is best for this team, our fans and this community.”
Additionally, Owens will no longer participate as a team owner.
IFL Offensive Player of the Week: Chris Dixon (6’0,200, Humbolt St.) and the Sioux Falls Storm beat the Tri-Cities Fever 73-72 in an instant classic on Saturday night. Dixon completed 27 of 40 passes for 293 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had six rushing attempts for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Dixon additionally rushed for the game-winning touchdown in overtime to help the Storm move to 11-0 on the season. He accounted for 10 total touchdowns vs. the Fever. This is Dixon’s fourth Offensive Player of the Week award in the 2012 season.
IFL Defensive Player of the Week: Kendrick Harper (6’0,190, Kansas) has helped the Wild to a four game winning streak in part to his dominant performance against the Allen Wranglers. Harper had two interceptions, four tackles and a fumble recovery in the Wild’s 59-41 victory over the Wranglers. Harper also returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown. In addition, Harper and the Wild’s defensive backfield held the Wranglers to just 36 total passing yards. Harper is the first Wild player to win Defensive Player of the Week this season.
IFL Special Teams Player of the Week: Despite a 59-41 loss to Wichita, Allen Wranglers KR Ramonce Taylor (5’11,200 Texas) accumulated 208 kickoff return yards on just nine returns. In the middle of the third quarter Taylor also returned a Wild kickoff 50 yards for a Wranglers touchdown. Taylor averaged 23 yards per return and is the second Allen Player to be awarded IFL Special Teams Player of the Week this season. Frankie Solomon Jr. was also awarded the honor in Week 1.
IFL Offensive Player of the Week: Patterson (6’4, 240, Syracuse) helped Chicago get its fourth win in a row with an impressive performance against Reading last week. In a 67-50 Slaughter victory Patterson completed 19 of 29 passes for 288 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for six yards and another touchdown. Patterson is the second Chicago offensive player to win Offensive Player of the Week honors. RB Daniel Dufrene was awarded the honor in Week 3.
IFL Defensive Player of the Week: The Slaughter sweep both the Offensive and Defensive honors this week as DB Christopher Rodgers (5’10, 205, St. Xavier) takes home the Defensive honors. Rodgers snagged four interceptions vs. the Express in Chicago’s 67-50 victory. He is the second player in the IFL to grab four interceptions in one game this season. In addition, Rodgers also had four tackles and two pass breakups. Rodgers is Chicago’s all-time interceptions leader as he has collected 16 interceptions in three years.
IFL Special Teams Player of the Week: Omaha has won back-to-back games for the first time this season thanks to the accurate leg of K Gary Cismesia (6’0, 220, Florida St.). In the Beef’s 64-44 victory over Steelhawks last week, Cismesia made three Field Goals from distances of 24, 32 and 49 yards. He also was seven of eight on extra point attempts. Cismesia finished the game with 16 total points. Cismesia leads the IFL in field goal percentage as he has converted 65 percent of his attempts, min. 10 attempts.
