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PHOENIX – For the second time in his career, Arizona Rattler wide receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood has been selected as the Arena Football League’s Ironman of the Year as voted by the League’s head coaches, players, fans and Arena Football League Writers Association (AFWA). The announcement was made live on ESPNews today.
Gatewood (6-0, 185 pounds), who also earned All-Arena first team and All-Ironman honors this season, set career-highs in receptions (89), receiving yards (1,175), and touchdowns (35). His 35 touchdown receptions ranked fifth amongst season leaders. Defensively, he tallied a career-high 64 tackles and was tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.
The 11-year veteran earned five weekly awards during the course of the season and was named the league’s “Ironman” for the month of March.
This marks the fourth time a Rattler has received such an honor. Gatewood, who earned the same award in 2003, becomes the third player in AFL history and second player in franchise history to be selected twice, as Hunkie Cooper was chosen in 1999 and 2000. Barry Wagner is the only player to win the award more than two times, taking it six straight seasons while with the Orlando Predators (1992-97).
Other nominees for Ironman of the Year were Los Angeles’ Kevin Ingram, Georgia’s Derrick Lee, Grand Rapids’ Timon Marshall and Dallas’ Will Pettis.
