The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN AN effort to bridge the generational gap, the Commonwealth American Football League (CAFL) will celebrate its current and former stars on Sunday at its first annual Legends Award Banquet.

The governing body for American contact football in the Bahamas will recognise its iconic honourees of the past, the 2014 league award winners and the CAFL All-Bahamian team. The banquet will be at 3pm at the Crab House and Seafood Emporium, Collins Avenue and Sixth Street in Palmdale.

Mel Ferguson, a member of the Awards Selection Committee, said the exercise is a step towards moving the league in a more progressive direction.

“We will honour some of the legends of the game and also honour our All-Bahamian team and giving our selection committees credit for the job they did,” he said. “I don’t believe any organisation or federation can move forward unless they honour their veterans.

“I think this effort is so important that the younger players and the ones we are awarding as All-Bahamians can see the legends, put names to faces and perhaps learn something from the players that came before them.”

As for the current players, the All-Bahamian team will be recognised, along with the awarding of several accolades which include Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year, Special Teams Player, Offensive/Defensive Lineman, Coach and Rookie of the Year.

Position awards will also be given to the top running back, wide receiver, defensive back and linebacker.

“Players were selected based on nominations from their coaches and the statistical data collected through the year,” Ferguson said. “The All Bahamian team was not very difficult; we went through the numbers and some coaches were very adamant about some of their places being selected.

“As far as the legendary players, that was a little challenge because you had to go back in time and stockpile information from the past. But the effort has paid off and we are pleased to be able to honour them for their efforts in the CAFL.”

Fast Track Jets wide receiver, Jamal Butler, is nominated for the Offensive Player and Wide Receiver of the Year awards. He led the league with 45 catches for 496 yards.

“Its a pleasure being nominated. It’s been a long road, we worked hard and I’d just like everyone to come out and see what it is like to be apart of the CAFL,” he said, “As a league we want to present ourselves to different communities and we want to attract more young people to come and play football. Hopefully we can get some kids off to school.

“I think the organisation is doing a great job with this. It has been a pleasure being a nominee and we look forward to seeing some young new faces out there this weekend.”

Jets quarterback Phil Rolle is also nominated for Offensive Player of the Year.

As a dual-threat quarterback, Rolle was the league’s leading scorer with 44 points.

He threw for a league leading 1,015 yards and 17 touchdowns while he finished second in rushing with 53 carries for 491 yards.

“We just want everyone to come out and show support,” he said. “We had a successful year so its good to be rewarded for that off the field at the end of the year.”

For the first time since the mid-1970s, the Jets  claimed the CAFL title after a thrilling finish to the 2015 Boil Fish Bowl.

The Jets scored a 38-32 win over the Orry J Sands Pros at the DW Davis Field to complete a nearly spotless season in which they finished with just one loss on the year.

Longtime Jet, Reggie Knowles, said the ceremony will not only honour the legends and honourees but give Jet fans another opportunity to celebrate the gratifying win.

“I’d just like to extend great thanks to our fans that came out and supported us in our trials and the rebuilding of our team,” he said, “So I’d just like everybody to come out and take part in this very big moment for us and the entire league.”

Tickets for the event are on sale at $40 and can be purchased at Diplomat Barber Shop, Maderia Street, and at Curly’s Barber Shop off Robinson Road.