AFL NOTES: Duke Pettijohn embarks on his seventh AFL season as one of the league's most talented linebackers. He signed with the Desperados on Oct. 16, 2003 and provided Dallas with a veteran player that gave solid, consistent play throughout his first season in Dallas. For three consecutive seasons (2005-07) he has been named to the All-Ironman team and was named to the All-Arena team in 2006 and 2007. He began his AFL career in 2002 with the Orlando Predators, where he spent two seasons.

AFL 2007 (Dallas): Pettijohn finished the season with 43.5 tackles (35 solo) and led the team in special teams tackles with 16.5 while also tallying the second-most sacks (6.0) and tackles for loss (7.0). For his work he was named to the AFL All-Arena First Team for the second consecutive season and the All-Ironman team for the third consecutive time. Pettijohn opened the season with three tackles and a half sack at New York (3/4). He was named the Defensive Player of the Game against Tampa Bay (3/10) after posting five tackles and one pass defensed. Pettijohn made his first rushing attempt of the season for a loss of one yard at Kansas City (3/16) while also making two tackles in the contest. He totaled two tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against Austin (3/31). Pettijohn earned his second Defensive Player of the Game honor of the season against Columbus (4/5) after posting two tackles, one hurry, one pass defensed and one forced fumble. He had 1.5 tackles, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery to earn his third Defensive Player of the Game honor against Philadelphia (4/16). Pettijohn finished second on the team in tackles with five including making his 200th career tackle against Nashville (4/27) while also adding a sack, one hurry and a pass breakup. At Utah (5/4) he contributed two tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. Pettijohn had 2.5 tackles, one tackle for loss and forced a fumble against Chicago (5/14). He added four tackles, one tackle for loss and forced a fumble at Columbus (5/26). Pettijohn was named Defensive Player of the Game for the fourth time this season after posting five tackles at Philadelphia (6/1). He made one sack along with two tackles against New Orleans (6/16). Pettijohn tallied two tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, three hurries, one blocked PAT and forced a fumble against New York (6/16) in a game where the defense forced five turnovers and yielded the lowest yardage total (138) and second-lowest point total (13) in franchise history. In the Divisional Playoff Game against Columbus (7/7), Pettijohn made 1.5 tackles and one sack.

AFL 2006 (Dallas): Pettijohn continued his reign as a veteran leader on both sides of the ball for the Desperados rushing 37 times for 83 yards and two touchdowns while finishing fourth on the team with 42.0 tackles, second in sacks (three), tackles for losses (six) and tying for the team lead with four forced fumbles. He led the team with 13.5 special teams tackles. In the season opener against Kansas City (1/29), Pettijohn recorded three tackles and a pass breakup while adding five rushes for eight yards and a score. He picked up 3.5 tackles on defense and helped the offense rack up 343 yards through the air - the fourth best passing day in team history. He rushed twice for one yard and a touchdown while adding three tackles, including one for a loss - the 150th stop of his career - against Austin (2/17). Against Las Vegas (2/25) he caught one pass for a season-long 21 yards and added two runs for three yards. Pettijohn carried the ball four times for a season-high 21 yards while adding a tackle on defense and recovering a Matt D'Orazio fumble in the end zone at Chicago (3/5). The next week at Tampa Bay (3/12), he earned Ironman of the Game honors after leading the team with seven stops, including a sack and two forced fumbles. He rushed four times for 10 yards and helped the offense rack up a season-high 377 yards of total offense - the third best day in club history - along with two stops on defense at Orlando (3/19). He had two tackles and two pass breakups against Philadelphia (3/25) before earning Defensive Player of the Game honors against Columbus (4/1) with two tackles, including his second sack of the season. At New York (4/29) he posted two tackles, including a sack that resulted in an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone good for a safety, while adding two runs for 10 yards. He earned Defensive Player of the Game for the second time this season with five tackles, one for a loss and a pass breakup against Grand Rapids (4/15). He also rushed four times for 12 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards against the Rampage. Pettijohn added four tackles and one for a loss at Georgia (4/22) before adding 2.5 tackles and a fumble recovery against Arizona (4/28). Against New York (5/12) he rushed twice for three yards, caught a three-yard pass for a touchdown and posted a tackle and forced a fumble. In the Divisional Playoff Game against Georgia (5/27), Pettijohn rushed three times for six yards and posted a half tackle. His work on defense helped hold Georgia to just 27 points and shut them out in the fourth period. In the Conference Championship Game against Orlando (6/4), he added two runs for one yard and a touchdown while adding a tackle and pass deflection on defense.

AFL 2005 (Dallas): Pettijohn saw his most productive year of his career, finishing with career-highs in rushes (57), rushing yards (212), touchdowns (eight), tackles (45.0), sacks (5.5), tackles for losses (6.5) and fumble recoveries (three). He was named to the All-Ironman team after setting single-season club records for rushes (57) and rushing yards (212). He holds the club's all-time longest rush - a 37-yard touchdown - and moved into second place in team history with 286 rushing yards. He led the team and doubled his previous season high with 5.0 sacks and also doubled his all-time career totals in tackles for losses with 6.5. In the season opening overtime win against Chicago (1/30), Pettijohn rushed for eight yards and a score - the eventual game-winning touchdown - on four carries while posting two tackles on defense. At New York (2/6) he assisted on two tackles and rushed for 28 yards on six attempts. He added two tackles, a pressure and a fumble recovery on defense, and five carries for 13 yards and a touchdown on offense against Columbus (2/13) before earning Defensive Player of the Game, leading the team with six tackles, a sack, a pressure and a fumble recovery that led to an eventual touchdown and a two-score Dallas lead against Orlando (2/17). He was named Ironman of the Game, rushing three times for 47 yards - including a club-record 37-yard touchdown scamper - finishing second on the team with three tackles and recovering his third fumble of the season at Philadelphia (2/27). Against New Orleans (3/5) he finished second on the team with five tackles - including a sack that resulted in a safety. Pettijohn finished with 3.5 tackles, a hurry, three rushes for five yards and blocked a second quarter field goal attempt that led to a Dallas touchdown at Austin (3/13). At Los Angeles (3/18) he led the team with six rushes for nine yards and a touchdown before adding two tackles and a blocked PAT attempt against Colorado (3/25). He added two tackles and 22 rushing yards on four carries against Nashville (4/8) then added two tackles - both sacks with one for a safety - and a catch for 10 yards at San Jose (4/15). At Columbus (4/22) he led the team with six carries for 18 yards and two rushing touchdowns while posting two tackles and a sack on defense. Pettijohn finished second with 6.5 tackles and added four carries for 26 yards and a rushing touchdown at Georgia (5/14). In the season finale against Philadelphia (5/22), Pettijohn had four runs for 12 yards and a touchdown and added three tackles on defense.

AFL 2004 (Dallas): After signing with Dallas as a free agent on Oct. 16, 2003, Pettijohn finished the season with then career-highs in tackles (44.0) and sacks (2.5), while adding two fumble recoveries. He also accounted for 66 rushing yards on eight carries. In his Dallas debut against Carolina (2/8), he posted three tackles and a six-yard carry. Against Philadelphia (2/15) he recorded a career-high seven tackles before carrying the ball five times for nine yards and two scores, catching two passes for 13 yards, and posting 1.5 tackles at New York (2/22). He was Inactive/Injured for the game at Columbus (2/29), but returned against Grand Rapids (3/6) and responded with 1.5 tackles, a half sack and a half tackle for a loss. He was inactive with a sprained left ankle at Carolina (3/13) and against Los Angeles (3/21). Pettijohn returned to the field at Philadelphia (4/4) and led the team in rushing yards (12 on two carries) and tackles (four), while adding 15 yards on two receptions and a fumble recovery. Against San Jose (4/10) he was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game after tallying two tackles, a sack and forcing a third quarter fumble that Dallas recovered to help them erase a 10-point deficit and take a 37-34 lead. Pettijohn led the team in tackles with six, while catching a 15-yard pass and adding a rushing touchdown from four yards out at Arizona (4/18). Playing against his former team at Orlando (4/25), Pettijohn notched five stops and a pressure while rushing once for six yards and adding a seven-yard catch. Against New York (5/1) he registered three tackles on defense while rushing three times for three yards. He tied for second on the squad with four tackles, broke up two pass attempts, added a half sack and half a tackle for a loss, two rushes for three yards, and two receptions for 16 yards at Austin (5/9). At Chicago (5/16) he carried the ball once for nine yards while adding 1.5 stops on defense. Against Columbus (5/22) Pettijohn rushed two times for 20 yards - including a season-long 20-yard touchdown run - and posted half a tackle, half a tackle for a loss and half a sack on defense. In the season finale against Tampa Bay (5/20), he tied for second on the unit with five tackles and recovered a fumble that he returned for a touchdown to open the second half.

AFL 2003 (Orlando): After missing the first three games of the season while on Orlando's Reserve/Exempt list, Pettijohn returned to the indoor game at Carolina (2/21) and rushed for 15 yards and a touchdown on three carries while contributing a quarterback pressure on defense. At New York (3/2) he registered a 12-yard rush, a seven-yard reception, half a tackle and a fumble recovery. The next week against Indiana (3/10), he posted a tackle and a fumble recovery on defense while carrying the ball once on offense. He totaled four tackles at Tampa Bay (3/16) before adding 3.5 stops and a pass deflection against Georgia (3/23). Against Los Angeles (3/30) Pettijohn carried the ball twice for 29 yards - including a 25-yard touchdown run, caught a six-yard pass and totaled 1.5 tackles. He tallied three stops, including one for a loss, at Arizona (4/6), then led the Predators with 16 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries against Buffalo (4/11). Pettijohn registered 5.5 tackles and a stop behind the line of scrimmage against Las Vegas (4/20), while also rushing the ball twice for nine yards and a touchdown and catching an 11-yard pass. He contributed three tackles at Georgia (4/26) before totaling a tackle and 15 rushing yards on two carries - including the game-winning touchdown in overtime - at Colorado (5/4). Pettijohn carried the ball twice for 11 yards and two scores against Carolina (5/11) while catching an eight-yard pass and posting two tackles, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. He closed out the regular season with 2.5 tackles and two pass deflections at Detroit (5/16). After a first round bye, Pettijohn opened the postseason by rushing for three yards and a touchdown on seven carries while posting two tackles in a quarterfinal playoff game against New York (6/1). The following week at Tampa Bay (6/7) in Orlando's semifinal loss, he posted a team-high five tackles and a sack while rushing for four yards and a score on three carries.

AFL 2002 (Orlando): Pettijohn made an immediate splash in the Arena Football League, finishing his rookie season with 42 carries for 84 yards and seven touchdowns, nine receptions for 122 yards and three scores and 23 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a sack and a pass defensed. Against Chicago (4/26) Pettijohn kicked off his indoor career with 13 yards on seven carries while totaling two tackles and a forced fumble on defense. He posted three tackles and three rushing yards and a touchdown the following week against New Jersey (5/4). At Grand Rapids (5/11) he posted two tackles and a pressure while rushing four times for three yards and two touchdowns. He registered 2.5 tackles and a 20-yard touchdown reception against San Jose (5/17) before recording 2.5 tackles, two catches for 13 yards and a team-high 13 rushing yards at Indiana (5/24). Against Carolina (5/31) Pettijohn earned Ironman of the Game honors after registering 2.5 stops, a sack and a forced fumble on defense and carrying the ball twice and providing key blocking on offense. He continued his strong rookie campaign against Tampa Bay (6/9) with two catches for 32 yards, a tackle, two pressures, seven rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He carried the ball seven times for 12 yards and a score at New York (6/15), while adding a 16-yard touchdown reception and a tackle. He tallied two stops against Toronto (6/21) before scoring on a 10-yard reception at Carolina (6/28). At Tampa Bay (7/7) he earned Ironman of the Game honors after rushing seven times for 30 yards, catching one pass for 24 yards and posting four tackles. He led the Predators with nine rushing yards on two carries against Georgia (7/13) while contributing a seven-yard reception and a tackle. In the regular season finale at Dallas (7/20), Pettijohn totaled a tackle and a tackle for a loss. In Orlando's first round playoff game against Buffalo (7/26), he registered two tackles, a pass defensed, a pressure and two carries for three yards. At New Jersey (8/3) in a quarterfinal playoff game, he rushed four times for eight yards and a touchdown while catching a 10-yard pass and contributing 1.5 stops and a pass deflection on defense. In the Predator's semifinal loss at San Jose (8/10), Pettijohn recorded 4.5 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed.

OTHER PRO EXPEREIENCE: 2002 - Pettijohn signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on Oct. 16 and, except for a one week period in November, remained there for the rest of the NFL season. 2001 - Pettijohn signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a rookie free agent, but was released prior to the start of training camp.

COLLEGE: Pettijohn finished his career at Syracuse second on the Orangemen's all-time sack list with 24.5. Pettijohn posted 47 tackles, 14 tackles for losses, 12 pressures, 7.5 sacks, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery to earn second-team All-Big East honors at defensive end as a senior. He earned All-Big East honors as a junior after totaling 45 tackles, including a team-high 13 behind the line of scrimmage, 10.5 sacks and nine pressures. As a sophomore, Pettijohn made the switch from linebacker to defensive end and registered 39 stops, 6.5 sacks and six pressures. He saw action in nine games as a reserve freshman linebacker, totaling six tackles.

PERSONAL: Maynard C. Pettijohn was an all-state, all-league, all-city, league MVP, team MVP and consensus Player of the Year as a senior linebacker for West Roxbury High School in Mattapan, Mass. The child and family studies major was a four-year letterman in football and three-year letterman in basketball at West Roxbury. Pettijohn is one of the most active Desperados in the community. Several times throughout the season, he can be found doing arts and crafts, playing cards, foozball, checkers and other games at Boys & Girls Club locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex as part of the Desperados Impact Player Program - an annual outreach initiative that provides positive role models to at-risk youth served by the Boys & Girls Clubs system. Pettijohn represented the Dallas Desperados at the 2005 ArenaBattle event during ArenaBowl XIX weekend as one of the top FB/LBs in the league. Pettijohn and his wife, Juliet, have a son, Duke Bailey (6/15/06).