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.

Tampa Bay Storm Sign OL Raymond McNeil, WR Justin Hilton

On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Storm announced two more signings, Raymond McNeil and Justin Hilton. McNeil, a seven-year veteran, now starts a second stint in the blue and gold.

McNeil (6’2″, 315 lbs.) returns after spending 2015 and 2016 with the Jacksonville Sharks. During those two seasons, McNeil anchored one of the best offensive lines in the entire league, allowing a mere 18 sacks, including an Arena Football League low of eight during the 2015 run to ArenaBowl XXVIII.

“Raymond is one of the top centers in the League,” said Storm vice president of football operations Jeff Gooch.  “He adds consistency and stability to our offensive line.  He has seven years of experience which will be a tremendous asset both on and off the field.”

McNeil has shined at his position throughout his entire indoor career, starting by earning All-af2 honors with the Milwaukee Mustangs in 2008 and 2009. Starting with the Milwaukee Iron in 2010, he spent time with the Utah Blaze, Spokane Shock, and San Jose SaberCats before joining the Storm in 2014. Throughout his career, he’s only missed four games, starting 109.

“I’m happy to be back with the Storm,” said McNeil.  “I’ve planted roots here in Tampa and I’m looking forward to giving back to not just the fans in the stands, but also the community as a whole.”

The team also added depth at wide receiver by acquiring wide receiver Justin Hilton.

Hilton (6-foot-2, 195 lbs.) joins the team where his AFL career began in 2013. He spent parts of the 2014 season with the Storm before crossing I-4 to play for the Orlando Predators for part of the 2015 season. In his three-year career, Hilton’s caught 45 passes for 694 yards and 15 scores.

The Kissimmee, FL, native began his professional career with the NFL’s Cincinatti Bengals, signing with them in 2012 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Indiana State. He went to the CFL in 2013, spending part of that season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before coming indoors and signing with Tampa Bay.