Post by 50yardfan on Jan 6, 2011 22:43:50 GMT -5
Former Minnesota Viking Inked by Harrisburg Stampede
HARRISBURG, PA (January 6, 2011) - Harrisburg Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski has been busy stockpiling All-Pros this offseason, already adding five to his roster. Today, he added his sixth All-Pro, and this one, Fearon Wright, comes with National Football League experience on his resume.
Nowotarski commented, "The surprise of the recruiting season. Fearon and I had talked several times in the off-season, and although the talks were very good, it didn't look like we were going to get Fearon to Harrisburg. We have stayed in touch and last week we talked and he decided to make the move to Harrisburg. I couldn't be happier. This is a leader, a motivator, an educator, an athlete and above all a gentleman. We as a team and a city are lucky to have him."
Signed as a free-agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2001, wearing #59 Wright saw action in the Vikings' first seven games of the 2001 season and recorded special teams tackles against the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions.
He was placed on injured reserve following a shoulder injury and was released by the NFL squad in February 2002.
After a hiatus from professional football Wright joined the Carolina Speed of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) in 2008. Playing in nine games he quickly made his mark on opponents' offenses tallying 12 solo tackles, 11 assisted, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and three sacks.
In 2009 he signed a contract with the Baltimore Mariners of the AIFA and became one of the team's leading defenders and a fan favorite. He led the team in sacks with 6.5, tackles for a loss (7.5) and finished the season as the Mariners fourth leading tackler with 18 solo and 14 assisted.
In 2010 Wright continued to dominate opposing offenses for the Mariners tallying 17.5 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 8.5 tackles for a loss. Wright completed his two seasons with the Mariners as their all-time leader in sacks (14) and tackles for a loss (16).
He was rewarded by being named to the AIFA All-Pro Team with first team honors. In just over three professional seasons he has totaled 60 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, and 17 sacks.
Wright first gained notoriety on the football field by lettering for four seasons at Ferris High School of Jersey City, New Jersey and earning All-County honors as a tight end and defensive end.
Wright then played for two seasons at Dean College of Franklin, Massachusetts. While at Dean he earned National Junior College All-American honors.
The Jamaica-native then transferred to Rhode Island University where he left a mark on the Rams' record book. In 18 games he notched 100 tackles (55 solo/45 assisted), 27 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks.
He is still among the Rhode Island all-time leaders in most quarterback sacks in a game (3), most tackles for a loss in a season (14) and career (27), and most forced fumbles in a season (3) and career (4). He was a second team All-Atlantic 10 selection following his senior season.
For information on 2011 Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.harrisburgstampede.com.
HARRISBURG, PA (January 6, 2011) - Harrisburg Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski has been busy stockpiling All-Pros this offseason, already adding five to his roster. Today, he added his sixth All-Pro, and this one, Fearon Wright, comes with National Football League experience on his resume.
Nowotarski commented, "The surprise of the recruiting season. Fearon and I had talked several times in the off-season, and although the talks were very good, it didn't look like we were going to get Fearon to Harrisburg. We have stayed in touch and last week we talked and he decided to make the move to Harrisburg. I couldn't be happier. This is a leader, a motivator, an educator, an athlete and above all a gentleman. We as a team and a city are lucky to have him."
Signed as a free-agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2001, wearing #59 Wright saw action in the Vikings' first seven games of the 2001 season and recorded special teams tackles against the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions.
He was placed on injured reserve following a shoulder injury and was released by the NFL squad in February 2002.
After a hiatus from professional football Wright joined the Carolina Speed of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) in 2008. Playing in nine games he quickly made his mark on opponents' offenses tallying 12 solo tackles, 11 assisted, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and three sacks.
In 2009 he signed a contract with the Baltimore Mariners of the AIFA and became one of the team's leading defenders and a fan favorite. He led the team in sacks with 6.5, tackles for a loss (7.5) and finished the season as the Mariners fourth leading tackler with 18 solo and 14 assisted.
In 2010 Wright continued to dominate opposing offenses for the Mariners tallying 17.5 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 8.5 tackles for a loss. Wright completed his two seasons with the Mariners as their all-time leader in sacks (14) and tackles for a loss (16).
He was rewarded by being named to the AIFA All-Pro Team with first team honors. In just over three professional seasons he has totaled 60 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, and 17 sacks.
Wright first gained notoriety on the football field by lettering for four seasons at Ferris High School of Jersey City, New Jersey and earning All-County honors as a tight end and defensive end.
Wright then played for two seasons at Dean College of Franklin, Massachusetts. While at Dean he earned National Junior College All-American honors.
The Jamaica-native then transferred to Rhode Island University where he left a mark on the Rams' record book. In 18 games he notched 100 tackles (55 solo/45 assisted), 27 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks.
He is still among the Rhode Island all-time leaders in most quarterback sacks in a game (3), most tackles for a loss in a season (14) and career (27), and most forced fumbles in a season (3) and career (4). He was a second team All-Atlantic 10 selection following his senior season.
For information on 2011 Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.harrisburgstampede.com.