Firestorm To Gladiator In Just Two Days
Phoenix, AZ- Opportunities knock at the strangest of times. Just ask former Arizona Christian defensive line standout Kori Hurd who signed a mid-season contract with the Duke City Gladiators of the Champions Indoor Football League. Hurd made his pro debut with the Gladiators on Saturday, May 6.
A week ago Thursday (May 4), Hurd, out of Evansville, IN, was taking his college finals at ACU when he received a phone call offering him the mid-season contract to join the Duke City Gladiators headquartered in Albuquerque, NM. Two days later, he was in Amarillo, TX, sporting the black and gray uniform of the Gladiators while making his debut against the Amarillo Venom. He found the field for two snaps of fast paced indoor football action.
When asked about signing as a pro, Hurd commented, “The moment was breath taking and positively overwhelming just knowing how long and hard you have been working and sacrificing to obtain something you truly believe has meaning to put up and press through the trials and tribulations that come with your dreams. It is a major blessing.”
Hurd added, “To be honest when I experienced the professional environment for the first time I could not believe I was actually there physically. But for some reason I carried myself like I had been there before- like it was just another game. That shocked me because I always pictured myself being so excited to be a professional that I would have started to act like a kid in the candy store.”
The Champions Indoor Football League (CIF) is made up of 14 teams that blanket most of the Central Time Zone from Texas to North Dakota to Michigan. The CIF league serves as feeder teams for the Arena Football League featuring teams like Phoenix’s own- the Arizona Rattlers. Regular season for the CIF league will continue through the first week of June. Currently, Duke City sits at 4-4 in the South Division of the CIF League.
As a two year defensive tackle for the Firestorm, Hurd recorded 62 total tackles including 16 tackles for loss which encompasses his 6.5 career sacks.
Focusing on the differences between outdoor and indoor football as a defensive lineman, Hurd stated, “In outdoor football you are allowed to line up however you want- whether it’s inside or on the outside of your opponent. (But an indoor defensive lineman must) line straight up with the man across from him and then work to the outside.”
A point well taken by Hurd after receiving a plenty for not lining up properly in his debut- though in his defense made with the benefit of just one practice at best.
Hurd concluded about suddenly being signed to a contract with the following thought, “The main thing that hit me was the feeling of God not forgetting about me. I always had faith but once you start seeing God’s works physically as well as spiritually- it’s a feeling that cannot be explained.”
Best wishes in your pro career- Kori Hurd. To learn more about the Duke City Gladiators and follow Hurd’s career- click here.
