Thomas, Bembery, LaFrance to be inducted into AFL Hall of Fame

Posted Aug 12, 2011 by Nick Williams

Updated Aug 12, 2011 at 10:53 PM

Former Tampa Bay Storm players Stevie Thomas, Sylvester Bembery and George LaFrance have been elected to the 2011 Arena Football Hall of Fame Class.

Thomas, who played with the Storm between 1991-1999, was a member of four ArenaBowl championship teams. Bembery was a six-time All-Arena selection who played with Tampa Bay between1994-1999 and in 2001. He won two ArenaBowl championships as a member of the Storm.

LaFrance is a five-time ArenaBowl champion (Detroit, 3; Tampa Bay, 2), two-time MVP (1989, 1991) and two-time Offensive Player of the Year (1989, 1991).  He played in Tampa Bay betweem 1994-1999.

The other members of the 2011 Hall of Fame Class includes: San Jose SaberCats HEAD COACH DARREN ARBET, two-time Coach of the Year (2000, 2002) and owner of three ArenaBowl titles with San Jose (2002, 2004, 2007); WR EDDIE BROWN, ranked the Greatest Player in AFL History by the AFL Historical Committee, and three-time Offensive Player of the Year (1994, 1996, 1999); WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER, two-time Ironman of the Year award winner (1999-00) and AFL MVP (1993); OL/DL SAM HERNANDEZ, the AFL’s all-time sack leader with 59; Chicago Rush PRESIDENT/GM GENE NUDO, AFL Founders Award Winner (2002) and three-time League Executive of the Year (1997, 1999, 2000) with Arizona; WR/DB BARRY WAGNER, ranked as the second Greatest Player in AFL History by the AFL Historical Committee and six-time Ironman of the Year winner (1992-97); and QB KURT WARNER, AFL Founders Award winner (2006), finishing his AFL career with 10,465 passing yards and 183 touchdowns.

The 2011 AFL Hall of Fame Class will be inducted during 2012 Kickoff Weekend.