Chris Avery
Encyclopedia
Chris Avery is a professional arena football
fullback
/ linebacker
whom is a free agent
in the Arena Football League. He played college football at Kentucky State.
In his career, Avery has played for the Norfolk Nighthawks
, Dallas Cowboys
, Barcelona Dragons
, Grand Rapids Rampage
, and Kansas City Brigade
.
where was named a JUCO All-America
n in each of his two seasons before transferring to Kentucky State in 1999. He was named a Division II All-American and named to the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
team at Kentucky State in 1999 after recording 32 tackles
and four sacks
.
of af2
. He ranked as the teams second-leading rusher with 13 carries for 55 yards and two touchdown
s in eight games along with eight tackles, one sack, one blocked field goal attempt and two forced fumble
s.
. However did not make the team.
. However, he chose to play in the Arena Football League.
in 2001
, Avery played 11 games, including three starts (all postseason) for the Grand Rapids Rampage
, whom won ArenaBowl XV
that same season. He also scored a rushing touchdown in the ArenaBowl
. In 2002
, he played in just two games, recording two carries for one yard, and 2.5 tackles. In 2003
, he was named to the league's All-Ironman team for the first time. He led the team with 166 rushing yards, fifth in the league. He rushed for a season and career-high 71 yards against the Dallas Desperados
, and his 40-yard run was the longest of the season by any Grand Rapids player. He also recorded 26.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks on defense. And scored eight touchdowns. Then in 2004
, he recorded 195 rushing yards to lead the team. He also recorded 31 tackles
, and was named the team's Ironman of the Year. In 2005
He had one of the most dominant seasons by an AFL fullback
, he led all fullback / linebacker
s in 13 offensive, defensive and special teams categories. He earned a spot on the All-Ironman team for the second time after leading all fullback /linebacker’s in rushing yards with 251, yards per carry with 4.6, receptions
with 13, receiving yards with 195, receiving touchdowns with three, total points scored with 104, total touchdowns with 17, total offensive yards with 446, offensive touches with 67, yards per play with 6.7, total tackles with 55.5, special teams tackles with 18.0 and first downs gained with 30. His 13 rushing touchdowns and 251 yards rushing were both career highs in addition to leading all fullback /linebackers. He scored a career-high four rushing touchdowns in week 11 against the Las Vegas Gladiators
. Then in 2006
, he recorded a career-high 15 receptions and appeared in all 16 games to become the All-time franchise leader with 78 games played in, over six seasons. He moved into 13th place All-time in rushing yards during a game in Dallas on April 15, 2006 when he rushed for 12 yards to pass Lincoln Coleman
’s 736 yards. Avery became second in rush yards among active players, trailing only former teammate Chris Ryan
. Of Ryan’s 855 yards, 266 came as a member of the Philadelphia Soul
in 2004 and 2005, leaving Avery as the franchises All-time leading rusher with 744 yards with Grand Rapids. Avery missed the entire 2007 season
after suffering a knee
injury on the first day of training camp.
for the 2008 season
where he was the back-up fullback, starting Mac Linebacker and was the teams long snapper
. For the season, he recorded three carries for five yards, 31 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble
, and one fumble recovery. He was waived by the Brigade on September 15, 2008.
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
/ linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
whom is a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in the Arena Football League. He played college football at Kentucky State.
In his career, Avery has played for the Norfolk Nighthawks
Norfolk Nighthawks
The Norfolk Nighthawks are a now-defunct charter member of the AF2. They played their home games at The Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia...
, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, Barcelona Dragons
Barcelona Dragons
The Barcelona Dragons were a team originally in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. Their home field in Barcelona was the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic, the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and later the Mini Estadi. The Dragons were successful on the field, making it...
, Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
, and Kansas City Brigade
Kansas City Brigade
The Kansas City Command is a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. The team was founded before the 2006 season. Former Kansas City Chiefs Strong safety Kevin Porter served as head coach...
.
College career
Avery first attended Holmes Community CollegeHolmes Community College
Holmes Community College is a community college located in the state of Mississippi, headquartered in the Goodman Campus in Goodman.The system has three campuses in the cities of Grenada, Ridgeland, and Goodman, which is the location of the main or original campus. Holmes has satellite campuses in...
where was named a JUCO All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n in each of his two seasons before transferring to Kentucky State in 1999. He was named a Division II All-American and named to the All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is a College athletic conference consisting of historically black colleges and universities located in the southern United States. Formed in 1913, the SIAC is a member of the NCAA and participates in Division II athletics...
team at Kentucky State in 1999 after recording 32 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
and four sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
.
af2
Avery played one season with the Norfolk NighthawksNorfolk Nighthawks
The Norfolk Nighthawks are a now-defunct charter member of the AF2. They played their home games at The Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia...
of af2
Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
. He ranked as the teams second-leading rusher with 13 carries for 55 yards and two touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s in eight games along with eight tackles, one sack, one blocked field goal attempt and two forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s.
National Football League
Avery then attended training camp with the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. However did not make the team.
NFL Europa
The next year, Avery was selected in the eighth round (46th overall) of the 2001 NFL Europa draft by the Barcelona DragonsBarcelona Dragons
The Barcelona Dragons were a team originally in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. Their home field in Barcelona was the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic, the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and later the Mini Estadi. The Dragons were successful on the field, making it...
. However, he chose to play in the Arena Football League.
Grand Rapids Rampage
As a rookieRookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
in 2001
2001 Arena Football League season
The 2001 Arena Football League season was the 15th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Grand Rapids Rampage, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
, Avery played 11 games, including three starts (all postseason) for the Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
, whom won ArenaBowl XV
ArenaBowl XV
- Game summary :The Grand Rapids Rampage scored an ArenaBowl-record 64 points as they sent a sellout crowd home from Van Andel Arena happy with a 64-42 victory over the Nashville Kats to claim their first ArenaBowl title in team history....
that same season. He also scored a rushing touchdown in the ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
. In 2002
2002 Arena Football League season
The 2002 Arena Football League season was the 16th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVI...
, he played in just two games, recording two carries for one yard, and 2.5 tackles. In 2003
2003 Arena Football League season
The 2003 Arena Football League season was the 17th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVII. The AFL expanded its season to a 16-game schedule...
, he was named to the league's All-Ironman team for the first time. He led the team with 166 rushing yards, fifth in the league. He rushed for a season and career-high 71 yards against the Dallas Desperados
Dallas Desperados
The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008....
, and his 40-yard run was the longest of the season by any Grand Rapids player. He also recorded 26.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks on defense. And scored eight touchdowns. Then in 2004
2004 Arena Football League season
The 2004 Arena Football League season was the 18th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVIII...
, he recorded 195 rushing yards to lead the team. He also recorded 31 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
, and was named the team's Ironman of the Year. In 2005
2005 Arena Football League season
The 2005 Arena Football League season was the 19th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Colorado Crush, who defeated the Georgia Force in ArenaBowl XIX. The AFL changed its playoff format to allow the top four teams per conference to make the playoffs. Previously, the...
He had one of the most dominant seasons by an AFL fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
, he led all fullback / linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
s in 13 offensive, defensive and special teams categories. He earned a spot on the All-Ironman team for the second time after leading all fullback /linebacker’s in rushing yards with 251, yards per carry with 4.6, receptions
Reception (American football)
In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving...
with 13, receiving yards with 195, receiving touchdowns with three, total points scored with 104, total touchdowns with 17, total offensive yards with 446, offensive touches with 67, yards per play with 6.7, total tackles with 55.5, special teams tackles with 18.0 and first downs gained with 30. His 13 rushing touchdowns and 251 yards rushing were both career highs in addition to leading all fullback /linebackers. He scored a career-high four rushing touchdowns in week 11 against the Las Vegas Gladiators
Las Vegas Gladiators
The Cleveland Gladiators are an arena football franchise based in Cleveland, Ohio which plays in the Arena Football League. The team is part of the East division of the AFL's American Conference. The Gladiators play all of their home games at Quicken Loans Arena, which they share with the NBA's...
. Then in 2006
2006 Arena Football League season
The 2006 Arena Football League season was the 20th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Chicago Rush, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl XX....
, he recorded a career-high 15 receptions and appeared in all 16 games to become the All-time franchise leader with 78 games played in, over six seasons. He moved into 13th place All-time in rushing yards during a game in Dallas on April 15, 2006 when he rushed for 12 yards to pass Lincoln Coleman
Lincoln Coleman
Lincoln Coleman is a former professional American football player who played running back for two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys....
’s 736 yards. Avery became second in rush yards among active players, trailing only former teammate Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan
Sergeant ‘Chris Ryan’ MM is the pseudonym of a former British Special Forces operative and soldier turned novelist...
. Of Ryan’s 855 yards, 266 came as a member of the Philadelphia Soul
Philadelphia Soul
The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII...
in 2004 and 2005, leaving Avery as the franchises All-time leading rusher with 744 yards with Grand Rapids. Avery missed the entire 2007 season
2007 Grand Rapids Rampage season
The 2007 Grand Rapids Rampage season was the 10th season for the franchise. They look to make the playoffs after finishing 2006 with an 5-11 record...
after suffering a knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injury on the first day of training camp.
Kansas City Brigade
Avery joined the Kansas City BrigadeKansas City Brigade
The Kansas City Command is a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. The team was founded before the 2006 season. Former Kansas City Chiefs Strong safety Kevin Porter served as head coach...
for the 2008 season
2008 Kansas City Brigade season
The 2008 Kansas City Brigade season is the third season for the franchise, second in the American Conference's Central Division. After starting the season with 6 consecutive losses, the Brigade finished the season with a 3-13 record, however still the worst record in the American...
where he was the back-up fullback, starting Mac Linebacker and was the teams long snapper
Long snapper
In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
. For the season, he recorded three carries for five yards, 31 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
, and one fumble recovery. He was waived by the Brigade on September 15, 2008.