Top 5 Chicago Rush Players of All Time
Top 5 Chicago Rush Players of All Time
The Chicago Rush just finished their 11th season in the Arena Football League. Over the years many players have come and gone, but there are a few who have set the standards for what it means to wear the purple and silver. This list is comprised of some the greatest players who roamed the turf in a Rush uniform. So here we go...
5. Reggie Gray, WR
Reggie Gray is on his second run with the Chicago Rush. He first played for the Rush in 2008 and came back in 2011, and has been the focus of the Rush offense ever since. A Chicago native, Gray played high school ball at Chicago's Morgan Park High School. He played college ball at Western Illinois. It's a shame that the NFL won't give him a fair shake.
During the 2012 season, Reggie Gray set and broke numerous Chicago Rush receiving records including: most receptions of all-time, touchdown catches in a season, and receiving yards in a season, just to name a few. I covered the Rush this year and I can tell that he has, without a doubt, earned his nickname "Big Play." He has earned the right to be called the greatest receiver in Chicago Rush history.
4. Russ Michna, QB
Russ Michna is the longest-tenured quarterback in Chicago Rush history. He has been with the team since 2008 and he's been the starter since 2010. And just like Reggie Gray, he also broke some Rush records in 2012. He holds the records for most passing yards in a game, most completions in a game, and most touchdown passes in a season. Those are just a few of his many accolades.
Michna also played for the Chicago Slaughter in 2009 when the AFL suspended the 2009 season. He led the Slaughter to an undefeated season capped off with the 2009 CIFL championship. Michna is also someone who was snubbed by the NFL. Regardless, he is a favorite among Chicago Rush fans.
He may not be the most physically impressive quarterback but he has one of the best arms in the Arena Football League.
3. John Moyer, OL/DL
This man was the identity of the Chicago Rush defense for many years. He was one of the original players when the team played its inaugural season back in 2001. He was also one of the league's ironmen (men who played both offense and defense). His specialty was as a pass rusher, but he was a decent offensive lineman as well. When Bob McMillen retired after the 2007 season, Moyer took over as the starting fullback/mack linebacker.
He was also an integral part of the team that won the Arena Bowl back in 2006. His #99 jersey hangs from the rafters at the Allstate Arena and he is also in the AFL Hall Of Fame.
2. DeJuan Alfonzo, WR/LB
The man defined what being an ironman in the Arena Football League was all about. He came into the league as a defensive back who was rejected by the NFL. But over a 10 year period, he grew into one of the greatest players ever to roam the 50-yard field.
Aside from his ability to cover receivers in a league where receivers are the stars, he also became a dangerous receiver in his own right. Later in his career he solidified himself as one of the best jack linebackers in the league. He also played fullback a few times when the Rush were shorthanded at the position.
He retired from the game after the 2011 season, but he is remembered as one of the best players in Chicago Rush history.
1. Bob McMillen, FB/LB
Current Rush head coach Bob McMillen was also a former Rush player. He is an AFL hall of famer, he is one of the 25 greatest players in AFL history, and he is the league's all-time leading rusher. All of these awards were obtained during his time as the starting fullback/mack linebacker for the Chicago Rush from 2001-2007.
His blue collar mentality has carried over to the Rush players that he now coaches. He has coached the team since 2011 and has had a winning record thus far.