Washington Valor Quarterback Erik Meyer Announces Retirement

Washington Valor quarterback Erik Meyer has announced his retirement. He has not played since suffering an injury early this season.

Meyer joined the  Valor after sitting out a year of football. In 2015, he led the San Jose Sabercats to a 17-1 record and a win over the Jacksonville Sharks in ArenaBowl XXVIII.

Meyer started his arena football career with the Spokane Shock back in 2010. He played with Spokane until 2014. Meyer has also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks, as well as the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europa.

His signature year came with Spokane in 2013. He threw for 112 touchdowns while completing 68.2 of his passes with a 123.6 passer rating. The numbers were good enough to earn him AFL MVP that season, as well as a spot on the All-Arena First Team.

Expectations were high for Meyer and the Valor headed into their first season. On April 7, the Valor played their first game against the other team playing their first game, the Baltimore Brigade. Meyer threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns as the Valor won the game by a final score of 51-37.

Things have gone downhill since then. Washington has lost nine in a row while losing Meyer and wide receivers Mike Washington and T.T. Toliver to injury. Now that Meyer is not going to return, Sean Brackett will lead the team the rest of the way.

Despite their 1-9 record, Washington is still alive in the playoff race. They will face off against the Philadelphia Soul at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA on July 15.

The Arena Football League is playing their 30th season. The Soul, currently sitting at 10-0, are looking to become the first repeat champion since the Arizona Rattlers won three ArenaBowls in a row from 2012-2014. ArenaBowl XXX is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26.

Storm Acquire Two Rookies

On Tuesday, vice president of football operations Jeff Gooch the Tampa Bay Storm announced the acquisition of two rookies to the team’s roster, defensive lineman Max Nacewicz and wide receiver Reese Wiggins.

Nacewicz (6’2″, 255 lbs.) joins Tampa Bay for his rookie season in the Arena Football League. The Sandy Hook, CT, native appeared in 42 games at Springfield College. In his time with the Pride, Nacewicz earned Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior, racking up 104.0 tackles (16.0 for loss), 7.0 sacks, and three pass breakups.

A two-time All-American, Nacewicz holds school records in career sacks (34.0) and tackles for loss (57.0). He finished with 302.0 total tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six pass breakups, an interception, and a blocked kick in his college career.

“Max is an intense player that has a high motor,” said Gooch. “After reviewing the film, we could tell he can disrupt an offense and that is what we hope to see once he hits the field.”

 

Reece Wiggins (5’11”, 185 lbs) also enters his rookie season in the AFL with the Storm.

A Durham, NC, native, Wiggins played collegiately at East Carolina, starting in 23 of 36 games as a Pirate. He finished his career with 80 catches for 1,012 yards and eight scores, earning All-Conference USA honors as a senior. Wiggins began his professional career in the NFL as an undrafted free agent. The New England Patriots signed him in 2014, and he also spent time with the Detroit Lions.

“Reese is a speedy receiver that can cause problems for defenses,” said Gooch.  “We’re looking forward to seeing him compete in training camp.”