Ground Report

NFC Championship Game Honorary Captains

Friday, January 16, 2009

CARDINALS

ALL-DECADE CB AENEAS WILLIAMS TO SERVE AS CARDINALS HONORARY CAPTAIN DURING NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Tempe, AZ –Former cornerback and recent Cardinals Ring of Honor inductee Aeneas Williams will serve as Arizona’s honorary captain for the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.

“He was a fan favorite, an organizational favorite,” said team President Michael Bidwill of Williams who made the Pro Bowl eight times during his 14-year career.

Williams became the 13th person put into the team’s Ring of Honor when he was inducted on November 10th during the team’s Monday Night Football game against San Francisco.

One of the most accomplished players in Cardinals history, Williams finished his career with 46 interceptions, nine of which he returned for touchdowns. He is also tied for the all-time longest fumble return a 104 yard touchdown, in a win over Washington on November 5, 2000.

In the 1998 playoffs, Williams made an impact in his first postseason appearance, grabbing two interceptions against Troy Aikman and the Dallas Cowboys to help the Cardinals win their first playoff game since 1983. Williams recorded another interception in his second playoff game a week later.

Originally a third round selection by the Phoenix Cardinals in 1991, Williams was one of just four cornerbacks named to the 1990s All-Decade team.

Should the Cardinals win on Sunday, Williams will present the team the George Halas Trophy – given annually to the winners of the National Football Conference.

– azcardinals.com –

Thursday, January 15, 2009

EAGLES

The Philadelphia Eagles today announced they have selected former RB Duce Staley to serve as the team’s honorary captain for Sunday’s NFC Championship game at Arizona.

A model of consistency and toughness in the Eagles locker room for seven seasons (1997-2003), Staley ranks fourth behind Wilbert Montgomery, Steve Van Buren, and Brian Westbrook on the team’s all-time rushing list in terms of rushing yards (4,807) and attempts (1,200). He recorded three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and, in 2002 became the second Eagles back to top the 1,000-yard rushing mark and 500-yard receiving plateau in a single season.

Throughout his Philadelphia career, the incredibly durable, but remarkably sure-handed running back endured a great amount of pain to perform so admirably each and every week. From a painful hernia in 1998, to a Lis Franc sprain in 2000, to a shoulder injury in 2001, Staley kept coming back, stronger than ever. Nicknamed “Buddy Lee” by his teammates after the Lee Dungarees character that had an incredible indestructible reputation, he was voted by his teammates as the Eagles offensive MVP three times.

A third round draft pick of the Eagles in 1997, he was also voted by his teammates as the team’s Ed Block Courage Award recipient in 2001, which honors those NFL players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.

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