Rainey joins 'Ants for another season
TUPELO, MS—The Tupelo FireAnts are pleased to announce the re-signing of running back/quarterback Chris Rainey for the 2004 National Indoor Football League season.
Rainey, a native of Amory, Mississippi, has played with the FireAnts since the team's inaugural season in 2001.
"Looking towards the season, I have set high goals," Rainey said. "In the past, this team may have played an underdog role, and now we are looking forward to changing that around under Coach Hall...we want to play well and win it all."
In high school under then Amory Panthers' Head Coach Bobby Hall, Rainey was flooded with a stack of awards and accolades for his performance at quarterback after gaining 2,694 total yards and a state-record 47 touchdowns during his senior year, along with helping Amory to a 15-0 record and the Class 3A state championship in Mississippi.
Rainey made the jump to college and attended Mississippi State University from 1995-1999, where his position shifted from quarterback to tailback. Upon graduation with his degree in educational psychology, Rainey played pro football in Germany before joining the FireAnts in 2001.
Rainey gained National Indoor Football League honors in 2002, as he was named an
Atlantic Conference Eastern Division All-Star for his efforts at running back after totaling 581 yards on 186 attempts good for 15 touchdowns on the season in 14 games played. This past season, Rainey ran the ball on 52 attempts, yielding 102 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. He also hauled in 29 receptions for 352 yards and five touchdowns, as well.
"Chris Rainey, one of our original FireAnts players, is a great versatile athlete able to play several positions," Head Coach Bobby Hall said. "Rainey is an extremely skillful player with a competitive spirit and outstanding character that will help us get where we want to go."
The FireAnts have signed six players to date, including Joe Gunn, Pig Prather, Patrick Garth, Rico McDonald, Bobby Hill, and now Chris Rainey to the 2004 lineup.
Season tickets are also on sale now by calling the FireAnts Office, with prices starting as low as $70 for adults and $42 for children 12 and under/seniors 60 and older. For more information, contact the FireAnts at (662) 620-BITE.