Brown named Al Lucas Hero Award Winner

PHILADELPHIA (Thursday, July 17) – Philadelphia Soul defensive back Mike Brown was named the recipient of the 2008 AFL Al Lucas Hero Award today by the league, after being announced as a finalist for the award on Monday.

The Al Lucas hero Award is presented annually to the player who makes the most significant contribution to both his community and the game of Arena Football. The award was created in honor of the late Los Angeles Avengers line Al Lucas, who believed in both giving back to his community and growing the AFL.

Brown has always made an impact in the Philadelphia community. Whether it is attending community events, donating jerseys and autographed items for fundraisers, or visiting schools to talk to the children about the importance of education, he has continued to be a strong role model. Brown, along with WJJZ Program Director Mike Tozzi, joined forces as “Mike & Michael” to lead a program called “P.E.A.C.E. Through Music,” (Providing Educational Awareness to Communities Everywhere), a program designed to promote diversity through education about conflict resolution and the understanding and acceptance of other cultures. The program has four components: An essay, educational forums where they interact with students, attendance by groups of “P.E.A.C.E. Through Music” students at Soul home games and an on-air awareness campaign and online resource center to promote all of the program’s themes. Mike has also taken part in Habitat for Humanity and done numerous hospital visits in the community.

In addition to Brown’s off the field contributions in the community, he has been a tremendous ambassador for the Philadelphia Soul and the AFL. He has done countless media interviews with top radio stations such as WMMR, was featured in the Daily News, and he was on the CN8 Morning Show which broadcasts from Boston to the DC area. His spot on CN8 included a segment on the rules of the AFL.

This season, Brown proved one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Despite missing five games this season due to injury, he ended the season as one of only eight AFL players to return kickoffs for over 1,000 yards. He also finished tied for third in the league with three kickoff returns for touchdowns. Brown made an impact on defense this season too, finishing second on the Soul this season with five interceptions to his credit.