"I had spoken to Jay earlier about the possibility of having
Gruden decided to sign Wagner after learning that injured linebacker Lance Mitchell would be unable to play in Thursday night's season finale with
The move will also allow the future AFL Hall of Famer to play his final games in an Orlando Predators uniform. "It's important to understand that we are not doing this as a favor or publicity stunt,? Gruden said. "The fact of the matter is that we need an experienced 'jack' linebacker and someone to help on special teams and Barry can help us."
Wagner played with the Predators from 1992-99, leading
For his career, Wagner has 991 receptions for 13,363 yards and 265 touchdowns. He has added 858 yards rushing with 127 touchdowns and has more than 6,000 return yards with nine more scores. Defensively, Wagner has played both defensive back and linebacker in his career, compiling 736 tackles to go with 48 interceptions and 32 forced fumbles. He has scored eight defensive touchdowns in his career.
He is the AFL career record holder for points scored (2,490), most seasons with 100+ points (12), most 2-point conversions scored (15), receptions (991), receiving yards (13,363), career rushing touchdowns (127), and most all-purpose career yards (21,042). He was named to the first unit of the All-Arena team eight times and Offensive Player of the Year twice to go with his six ?Ironman? trophies.
In his eight seasons with the Predators, Wagner established numerous records including more than 50 single game, single season, career and playoff records that still stand today.
"Barry had expressed his desire to finish his career in Orlando and now that opportunity has presented itself," Gruden said. "In my opinion he is the greatest two-way player in league history."
(04/25/07) :
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The result of the game was one to forget, but there was historic moment in the Daytona Beach Thunder's 40-19 loss to the Osceola Ghostriders last Sunday. Daytona Beach Thunder wide receiver and arena football legend Barry Wagner registered the 1,000 regular-season reception of his professional career Sunday in the first quarter of the Thunder's game with the Ghostriders on a 9-yard completion from Bo Bartik.
Wagner was the AFL's all-time regular season leader in receptions (991) and yardage (13,363) during his 14-year career. He has 10 receptions for 143 yards and 3 TDs for the Thunder this season.
Other receivers with 1,000 career catches in their respective leagues: Jerry Rice (1,549), Cris Carter (1,101), Tim Brown (1,094) and Marvin Harrison (1,022) in the National Football League and Terry Vaughn (1,006) in the Canadian Football League. The Thunder (1-6) host the Augusta Spartans (4-3) Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
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(03/29/07): Barry Wagner signs with Daytona Beach Thunder At approximately 2:30pm ET today, Barry Wagner became the newest member of the World Indoor Football League's Daytona Beach Thunder. A small gathering of media came together at the Chism Center in Deland, Florida to welcome Wagner to the Thunder. "It's like my mother always told me," Wagner said. "when the good lord closes one door he is always ready to open another one." It was a strange experience watching a man who was the face of the Arena Football League for 15 seasons sign to play in another league that was not the National Football League. Wagner compared his signing with the WIFL to those NFL players who come down and sign with the AFL. "I figured what's the difference between me signing from the Arena league to the WIFL"? Wagner said in his press conference. It is simple, really. None of the players who have joined the AFL from the NFL were Barry Wagner-type superstars. Though John Elway owns a team in the league and there are plenty of other former NFL players serving in AFL front offices, none of them have played a down in the AFL. Wagner also told those in attendance that he has had interest from the Columbus Destroyers and the Orlando Predators. He also said that the biggest reason he signed with the Tampa Bay Storm in the first place was to be near his family, specifically his son Barry, Jr. Wagner said he would listen to AFL teams with interest while he is with the Thunder. The Daytona Beach signing is very much a new beginning for Wagner who is back making the $250 per game wage he signed for with the Preds in 1992. The Daytona Beach Thunder host the Augusta Spartans on Saturday at 6:30pm ET. Wagner is scheduled to get the start at wide receiver for the Thunder and he is trying to talk the coaches into letting him play defensive back. "He'll probably talk us into it," Head Coach Leon Bright said. "Barry's knowledge of the game will help us a lot". (Oct 31, 2006):
TAMPA BAY, Florida
ALL-TIME AFL CAREER LEADER IN POINTS SCORED, TOUCHDOWNS, RECEPTIONS, AND ALL PURPOSE YARDAGE JOINS STORM The five-time world champion Tampa Bay Storm have signed free agent wide receiver Barry Wagner, Head Coach and General Manager Tim Marcum announced today. ?We are very excited to see Barry put on a Storm uniform,? Marcum said. ?Barry brings a tremendous amount of talent and experience to our wide receiver corps. He is one of the greatest players to ever play the indoor game. We look for him to be a big part of our success this season.? Wagner, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound wide receiver, is a 15-year veteran of the AFL. Last season he participated in eight games, totaling 56 touches for 619 yards and four touchdowns. He was the first player in league history to record more than 100 rushing touchdowns, 900 receptions, and 12,000 receiving yards in a career. Wagner is the AFL?s career leader in scoring (2,490), touchdowns (407), rushing touchdowns (127), receptions (991), receiving yards (13,363), and all-purpose yardage (20,961). He surpassed Hunkie Cooper in a match-up against the Los Angeles Avengers in week seven of the 2006 season for the all-time lead in all-purpose yardage. Additionally, Wagner is a six-time AFL Ironman of the Year, seven-time First-Team All-AFL selection, Most Valuable Player (1995), Offensive Player of the Year (1997), First-Team 15th Anniversary Team and was named one of the 20 Greatest Players in the history of the AFL, finishing second to Eddie Brown. Source: tampabaystorm.com
San Jose Activate Barry Wagner | |||
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(Mar. 11, 2006): | |||
SAN JOSE, Calif.
The San Jose SaberCats today activated 14-year Arena Football League veteran BARRY WAGNER off injured reserve in time for Sunday?s Western Division showdown with the Los Angeles Avengers. Wagner, who sustained a hamstring injury in training camp and has yet to play a game this year, will make his season debut Sunday needing 165 yards to surpass Hunkie Cooper as the AFL?s career leader in all-purpose yards. Recently named the second-best player in AFL history by the league?s 20th season historical committee, Wagner is the AFL?s all-time leader in touchdowns (406),points scored (2,466), rushing touchdowns (125), receptions (962) and receiving yards(13,090). He is also a six-time Ironman of the Year, two-time MVP and seven-time first-team all-league pick. The team placed Kevin McKenzie on injured reserve to open a roster spot for Wagner, who will be playing in his seventh season with San Jose.
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