Clay Rush
refer to caption
Rush with the Colorado Crush
Personal information
Born: (1973-10-27) October 27, 1973
Career information
High school:Riverview Gardens (St. Louis)
College:Missouri Western
Position:Kicker
Career history

Clay Rush (born October 27, 1973) is a former American football kicker who played in the Arena Football League (AFL) from 1999 to the original league's folding in 2008.[2]

Early years

At Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Rush was a three-sport star in football, soccer, and baseball. He threw a no-hitter his senior season against Normandy High School. He also played basketball early in his high school career though he didn't play varsity.

Rush attended Missouri Western State University, where he was named to the Mid–America Intercollegiate Athletics Association All-Conference Team four times, and was an NCAA Division II All-American as a senior.

Professional career

Rush attended NFL training camp with the Detroit Lions (1998), Atlanta Falcons (1999), Washington Redskins (2000), and New York Jets (2003).[3][4][5][6]

Rush played for the Shreveport Knights in the short-lived Regional Football League in 1999.[7]

Arena Football League

Rush was named First Team All-Arena in 2000 and 2003. He was also named Second Team All-Arena in 2005 and 2006. Rush was named AFL Kicker of the Year[8] in both 2000 and 2003.[9] In 2001, Rush made an AFL-record 110 extra-points, including a record 13 made PATs vs. Carolina on July 7, 2001.[10] Rush made the game-winning field goal as time expired during ArenaBowl XIX. In 2005, Rush converted a 62-yard field goal and lead the AFL in touchbacks.[11]

In 2008, Rush sustained a series of hits to the head in two games two weeks apart. Rush was removed from the game in Kansas City following positive signs of concussion. Following the second concussion, Rush wasn't properly evaluated or monitored. Team physicians cleared Rush to return to play after resting for a week. When Rush played again on about April 25, 2008, his symptoms worsened and he suffered permanent brain damage.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Arena Football League Transactions". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. March 20, 2002. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  2. ↑ "November Team-By-Team Update - OurSports Central". www.oursportscentral.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  3. ↑ "Clay Rush Signs with New York Jets - OurSports Central".
  4. ↑ "Crush's hero may fit Titans to a tee – The Denver Post". Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  5. ↑ "Clay Rush Signs with New York Jets - OurSports Central". www.oursportscentral.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  6. ↑ "Crush's hero may fit Titans to a tee – The Denver Post". Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  7. ↑ McCloskey, John (May 17, 1999). "Knights Report". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 17. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Crush sign two-time Kicker of the Year Clay Rush - OurSports Central".
  9. ↑ "ESPN.com: NFL - Wednesday roundup: Bruce Smith acquitted in DUI case".
  10. ↑ "Crush sign two-time Kicker of the Year Clay Rush - OurSports Central". www.oursportscentral.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  11. ↑ "Crush's hero may fit Titans to a tee – The Denver Post". Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  12. ↑ Schwarz, Alan (2010-03-18). "Ex-A.F.L. Player's Lawsuit Cites Mishandling of Concussions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-10-02.

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