
JAN 22, 2016: The sixth annual AFNT Hall of Fame Banquet was held in conjunction with the Sunshine Bowl Sports Extravaganza Super Weekend of Championships and Bowl Games. The Banquet, on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida, jumpstarted the four-day Event. Miami Gardens is a suburb of Miami.
Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex is the
selected site for the AFNT Hall of Fame Class of 2014 and 2015
Enshrinement Ceremonies

Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex
3000 NW 199th Street
(NW 199th Street & NW 32 Avenue)
Miami Gardens, FL 33056
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HOWEVER, THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOURTEEN YEARS, THE SUPER WEEKEND OF FOOTBALL GAMES, MOVED OUT OF MIAMI DADE COUNTY AND INTO BROWARD COUNTY.
SUNSHINE BOWL XIV
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
ANOTHER HISTORIC EVENT!
NOTHING BUT "The Best of the Best" FOR THE
14th ANNUAL SUNSHINE BOWL
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND BOWL GAMES.
Make no mistake about it, the "SUPER WEEKEND"
January 15, 16, 17, 2016, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
featured the best lineup of teams playing in a post-season extravaganza anywhere.
THE SUNSHINE BOWL XIV WAS HELD AT:
JOSEPH C. CARTER PARK
1450 W Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311

Carter Park
For more information, contact Jesse or Mercedes Wiggins.
305/232-1686
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The Hall of Fame Award is the highest honor bestowed in any sport. Recipients of this prestigious award must possess the highest moral standards, tremendous leadership and/or athletic abilities, outstanding training and skills in their area of expertise, respected by his/her peers, and a willingness to help others. Think about that for a moment...
The AFNT Hall of Fame is not limited to minor league football. Nominations are accepted for all...NFL, CFL, arena, indoor, other professional, and college football players, coaches, executives, sportscasters, reporters, announcers, trainers, videographers, and all others who have dedicated themselves to this wonderful sport of American football. Please understand that just because a person is nominated for induction into the AFNT Hall of Fame does not guarantee acceptance. They must, justifiably so, go through a rigorous selection process.
The following deserving individuals were inducted into the American Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME! to our
"League of Extraordinary People"

John McNamara
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Minor League Coach
"To talk about his 31 years of coaching, his coaching of the year awards and his all star selections are all wonderful accomplishments, but not the reason John does what he does. It's his passion, his enthusiasm and his willingness to help people that makes him a great candidate for this induction."
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Sean Suslowicz
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Minor League Player
"Sean possesses all that we look for in a Hall of Fame candidate. He is a decorated Minor League football player. He injured himself playing the game we love. He has performed community service as well. He is also a member of his team's HOF." AFNT Selector
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Rance Olison
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Minor League Coach/
Community Activist
"Rance is a member of the NFL Former Players Association. He was an Owner and Head Coach in semi-pro football for ten seasons winning four league championships. He was on the staff of the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots during that time and helped a number of semipro players get workouts and land positions in the NFL."
Rance's biggest accomplishment other than football is how he gives back to the community--he started a turkey, ham and hen giveaway in his hometown, a scholarship program for his high school and many more drives.
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Same T. Husein
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Minor League Coach/
Ambassador of Semi-Pro
Football
"Same has been a very active member in the Ohio Semi Pro Football Community for over 11 years. He has been an Owner, Coach, Commissioner, Player, Mentor and Ambassador of Semi Pro football in Columbus, Ohio.
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Alan Goldberger
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Executive/Administrator
"Al played HS, College and Semi Pro Football. He was a very big/tough/hard/nosed FB with lots of speed.
After playing, in 1960, he co-founded the Brooklyn Kings. In 1985 the team was renamed the Brooklyn Knights, and remained the Knights until 1996 when Al moved the team to Long Island and changed their name to the LI Seahawks. After 4 years, they moved back to Brooklyn. Al has helped many of his players with their substance/alcohol abuse, financial problems, getting into school, etc. He is truly an exceptional Human Being and One of a Kind"
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Ryan Minns
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Minor League Player
"Ryan began his semi pro career as a two way player who was a safety on defense and a scrambling, run first quarterback on offense. As the team around him improved, his need to scramble lessened and he became a very dangerous pocket passer. Ryan was also the main offensive coordinator for all of our 8 years together, so it was his job to create our offense in the offseason, install it for everyone during the preseason, and call all the plays during the game. In 2007, Ryan led an upstart team to an undefeated championship season. He threw for over 30 TDs that year."
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Bradley R. Bentley
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Minor League Coach
"Total Win-Loss Record: 121-35-1 in twelve years of coaching. Coach Bentley has had a lot of success on the field, but it's what he does off the field that really defined what kind of a man he really is. He has changed lives for the better. He has to deal with a lot while he's working, but he still makes time for his players and others whenever he is asked. Coach is also well respected in the Semi Pro football community. When we decided to start the Michigan Lightning, there was no one else on the radar that we wanted to lead this team other than Coach Bentley."
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Anthony Bartley
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Minor League Coach
"Coach Bartley is the current head coach of the reigning 3 TIME GWFL Champions Silver State Assassins and the AFA first 8 MAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONS of 2013. Coach has also won championships in the semi pro levels with the Ventura County Cardinals. He has also won championships in the women's level with the Long Beach Aftershock of the AFWL Coach has been instrumental in the development of young talent in helping advance deserving players to reach higher levels of pro football. Working in the Professional Indoor league as a Head Coach and Director of Football Operations, he is responsible for sending over 200 players to the next level."
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John T. Kirkpatrick
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Minor League Coach/Executive
"John has been the team Owner of the North Texas Longhorns for 9 years. As Head Coach he has coached 125 games with a total of 104 wins and 21 losses, 4 Division Championships, and 4 TUFL Championships (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013). His winning record also includes 2 Texas State Championship titles in 2008 and 2012.
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Bobby Lee Felts
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NFL Player/Minor League Coach (Posthumously)
"Coach Felts played 4 years of NFL and 3 years Canadian Football. He became the Head Coach of the Miami Bucktown Buccaneers, a last place football team, and turned them into the best team not only in the state of Florida, but probably in America, winning the semi-pro championship each of the 6 years that he coached. He was awarded several prestigious awards. In January 1987, FAMU hired Coach Felts as their Head Coach, but because of a sudden illness he could not perform the duties that he loved and passed away March 1, 1987, just 2 months later."
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James Farley
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NFL/Minor League Player
"Farley's football career started at Miami Jackson High School, Indian Trail Community College, and the University of Pittsburg, where he played with the likes of Tony Dorsette, Ricky Jackson, Matt Cavanaugh, Hugh Greene and many others. He also played one year with the Miami Dolphins, as well as a fabulous career with the best Semi Professional football team in the country, the Miami Bucktown Buccaneers. For over 27 years, Farley has assisted, mentored, and enhanced the youth in the Miami community."
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William White
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Minor League Player
"Often times in life, if you are very fortunate, you meet people who leave an indelible impression on you. After a while, you realize that you are not the only one changed, but you see that everyone this person comes in contact with is changed also. William is such a person. He embodies every thing a champion is on and off the field."
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Gregory Petty Sr.
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Minor League Player
Greg was an outstanding player and leader of the Miami Bucktown Buccaneers semi pro football team. During his five years as QB, he amassed the following stats:
TOTAL RUSHING CARRIES: 255
TOTAL YD RUSHING: 2,377
TOTAL RUSHING TD: 32
TOTAL PASSING ATTEMPS: 1,620
TOTAL PASS COMP: 920
TOTAL PASS COMP YDS: 14,461
TOTAL TD THROWS: 206
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Herbert L. Hammond
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College/NFL/Minor League Player
Herbert started his WR career at Mississippi Valley State University. During his two years as a starter, he led the team in receptions both years, 72 catches for 1,009 yds in 1978 and 68 catches for 948 yds in 1979. Awarded Outstanding Receiver for both years. Signed a free agent contract with the Houston Oilers in 1979, where he had a short stint with the team. He played semi-pro football with the Miami Bucktown Buccaneers from 1981-88 winning 7 straight State Championships. He was an all semi-pro receiver all 8 yrs. and led the league in TD catches in 5 out of 8 yrs. that he played, amassing over 448 receptions and 51 TD catches.
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Daniel Parker
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Minor League Player
"Dan had immense talent as an Offensive Lineman, but, his work ethics, selflessness, and humblenes were traits truly amirable and were a cohesive link to a strong team chemistry resulting in numerous championships along with individual awards for Dan. In an era of many self centered and egotistical players, Dan epitomized the true meaning of team player.. Dan played a MAJOR part in the New England Knights becoming a dominate team in the Northeast as well as winning 5 North-South Bowl Titles/4 League Titles/6 Division Titles".
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The following deserving individuals were inducted into the American Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME! to our
"League of Extraordinary People"

Aki Jones
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NFL/European/College Player Ambassador of Football (Posthumously)
"Aki was a 4-yr. letterman and 2-yr. starter with the Fordham University Rams from 2001-04, helping the '02 team to the school's lst ever Patriot League title. He earned lst Team All-Patriot League honors in '03 and 2nd Team accolades in '04. In 39 career games, Aki recorded 101 total tackles, 55 solo, including 25 for loss and 12 sacks. In his final yr he had 32 tackles, including 6 for loss and 5 sacks, while also breaking up a pass. After graduation, Aki played one year with the Washington Redskins (2005) and then went on to play in Europe, spending 5 yrs in Poland playing for Crew from Wroclaw and the Warsaw Eagles where he had an impact on and off the field spreading the sport of football throughout Europe. He finished his playing career with 2 yrs in Sweden and 1 yr. in Finland (2013). Aki, who also worked as an analyst on BBC telecast of NFL games, had returned from Europe to take a position with the Miami Dolphins. Working for the Dolphins was his long awaited return to the NFL.
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Curry-Alan Lazar
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Pro Coach/Team Owner and Ambassador of American Football
“During his 25+ seasons in football as a player, coach and team owner, Alan:
- Won championships at each level;
- Was a member of the executives that brought The Hamilton Screaming Eagles to Hamilton, Ontario, to make them the 1st Canadian team in the NAFL, later becoming their Head Coach;
- Recognizing the impact of American Football, Alan moved to London, Ontario, and established and coached the London Silverbacks, who in 2007 became the 1st Canadian team to win a playoff game as well as the 1st to win a title;
- From 2004-2012, the Silverbacks became the Official Minor League Affiliate to the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League;
- Placed dozens of players in the CFL camps as well as pro leagues around the world; and,
- made numerous football guest coaching appearances for various levels including being a guest coach to the Toronto Argonauts.”
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AFNT HALL OF FAMERS! WHAT'S UP?
- Every time we have had the pleasure of speaking to one of you we are in awe of what you have accomplished and the stories you tell. We would like to hear from as many of you who would like to share some of your fascinating history. Please share!
- YOUR PICTURE IS NEEDED, IF YOU DIDN'T SEND ONE.
Send us "what up" to: afootballnews@yahoo.com, and we will post it. Thanks.
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THE HEISMAN TROPHY
The Most Prestigious Award in College Football
"AND THE HEISMAN GOES TO..."
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HALL OF FAME BANQUET


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HALL OF FAME TROPHY

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