Rush wide receiver Perry grabs AFL rookie honors

A year ago, it was rookie defensive back Vic Hall who took home Defensive Player of the Year honors for the Chicago Rush.

This year, wide receiver Jared Perry of the Rush captured Arena Football League honors as the Net10 Rookie of the Year on the strength of 133 receptions, 1,811 receiving yards and 33 total touchdowns for the Chicago franchise.

“We’re a team that believes in giving rookies an opportunity to play right away,” head coach Bob McMillen said in a statement. “Jared Perry is an explosive player who proved he could thrive in this league,”

The former Missouri Tiger has spent the last few years traversing NFL and CFL camps and took his initial opportunity in Arena Football to brand a significant impression. The launchpad for his productivity began in Week 4 when he caught 10 passes for 175 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 29-point win over Kansas City. That began a stretch of recording at least 100 receiving yards in nine of the next 13 games.

“I’d like to thank the (Rush) coaching staff for giving me the opportunity and my teammates for the support throughout the year. God has been good for (football) not to stop in my life as I still have more plays to make,” Perry said.

The La Marque, Texas native had nine games in which he scored two or more touchdowns and even touched nine or more receptions in eight contests. The 133 overall receptions broke the team record for catches by a rookie in a single-season.