AFL: Ironman and Lineman Give Team Lowdown
For many who are now coming to realize that the NFL season is over and need to fill that avoid, there is a place to turn. The Arena Football League (AFL), running strong for the 20th season, with teams from the West Coast to East Coast and from the Southeast to Northeast.
The LA Avengers have been part of the AFL since the 2000 season. For the last four season they have gone into the playoffs and last season they picked up their first Western Division Championship. One of the key players for the Avengers is six year AFL Veteran, WR/DB Kevin Ingram. The Avengers really count of Ingram on the field and in the locker room, which he fully recognizes, “I worked hard in the off-season, and I knew we had some changes coming with newer and younger guys. Our main goal is to get back to the playoffs and win the first round. On the field, I need to play consistently on both sides of the ball, off the field it is about lifting, eating right and keeping your body in shape,” said Ingram about how he perceives his role on the team.
Part of being a great teammate and a leader, is knowing what you need to do as far as your own performance, “I got off to a slow start last season, this season, I wanted to get off to a good start and preform in every game. I knew guys would be keying on me more since I got the Iron Man Of The Year Award last season, but that isn’t something I think about.” said Ingram when asked about goals for the first half of the season.
In the AFL, a high powered offense is a must and Brian Mann continues to grow as the Avengers Quarterback, “He improved during camp this season, and every game he gets better and better, we as a team need to protect him which will help him become more comfortable,” said Ingram about Mann.
One aspect of the AFL is the fact that it really is “Iron Man Football.” This can be paretically rough on the big men up front who have to play OL/DL. Luckily, the Avengers have many guys who can handle the pressure of this very important position. One of these guys is Shawn McNamara. He entered his 5th season this year and has been a key staple up front, “I need to be a good leader, step up and help the younger guys on this team,” said McNamara.
Being able to breakdown a season and look at each part separate is key in sports, “Coach says that there are 4mini seasons, and each 4 games is a mini season which will get us to where to the playoffs and closer to the ultimate goal,” said McNamara about the season.
Community and fans are an important part of AFL and Avengers as they are with any professional sports league and team, “Every week we are doing something like visiting hospitals, schools, or working with our A.C.H.I.E.V.E Program,” said Ingram. The A.C.H.I.E.V.E Program stands for Academics, Courage, Honesty, Involvement, Enthusiasm, Values, and Excellence. Complete details of currently scheduled community events from Job Shadowing Programs to Football Camps can be found at:Avengers Community events Calendar. Ingram also took time to share a personal message for the community and fans, “Continue to support us, we need a crowd at the home games making noise. I know we are 1-2, but the season just began. It’s a long season and our goal is to win.”
On the league level, officials are certainly noticing Ingrams work with fans, “Kevin Ingram is the epitome of what Arena Football is all about,” said David Haney, SVP Marketing and Fan Development. Haney went on to say, “He is a true ‘Iron Man’ and proves that every week. What is even more impressive about Kevin is his performances after the games when he stays as long as he can to make our fans feel appreciated by signing an endless numb of autographs.”
The Avengers are a team like many right now in the AFL getting off to a rough start. This is also a team of HEART, PASSION, AND WILL. Having said that, I look for them to rebound as they enter the 2nd mini season.
SIDE NOTES
* Ingram said that he was able to finally pickup a copy of the AFL video game on February 16th, due to it being sold-out everywhere.
* McNamara played college ball at Pittsburg State University (KS). He also, coached the OL while Aaron McConnell who now plays with the Nashville Kats was playing for the PSU Gorillas.
* As of Press Time, the Avengers are 1-3 after falling Saturday night to the Chicago Rush.
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