AFL NOTES: One of the league's premier players and one of the last remaining two-way standouts, Will Pettis has become a threat whenever he is on the field, which is in every phase of the game. He has been a proven force on offense, defense and special teams for the Desperados since his entry into the league in 2002. His dominance on both sides of the ball was rewarded in 2007 as he took home the league's Ironman of the Year award. When the Desperados signed Pettis on Dec. 2, 2002, they were hoping to add a two-way playmaker. Pettis quickly proved them correct in their assessment. During his rookie season, he provided the squad with consistent coverage in the secondary while racking up yards with the ball in his hands - establishing a team record for all-purpose yards in a game and a season - to earn All-Rookie and Second-Team All-Arena honors. There was no sophomore slump with Pettis as he bettered his rookie performance after being named Second-Team All-Arena and to the AFL's All-Ironman Team. He finished the 2004 campaign as the only player in the AFL with more than 3,000 all-purpose yards (3,017). He ranked ninth in the league in catches (95), tied for 16th in receiving yards (1,076), 16th in total yards from scrimmage (1,112), first in kickoff return yards (1,750) and fourth in missed field goal return yards (135). He also set career-highs in tackles (37.5) and passes defensed (eight), while picking up one interception. The 2005 season was no exception as Pettis continued to dazzle coaches and fans in all three aspects of the game and earned All-Ironman Team and All-Arena Second-Team honors. Pettis continued to bring the high-level of play that has become the norm throughout the 2006 season, earning AFL Ironman of the Week for Week Five and Ironman of the Month for the first month of the season. By season's end, Pettis was fifth in the league in all-purpose yards (2,480) and was named to the All-Ironman Team. Including his Ironman of the Year award, Pettis also earned a spot on the All-Ironman Team after a year in which he was named Ironman of the Game 15 times - including the first seven games of the season - while also being named Ironman of the Month for March and June. His 2007 league rankings placed him second in all-purpose yards (2,781), tied for second in kickoff returns for a touchdown (four), sixth in catches (130), eighth in kickoff return average (21.2) and 10th in receiving yards (1,471). Since becoming a full-time contributor in 2004, Pettis has racked up 10,986 all-purpose yards, the most of any other player in the league in that time. Coming into 2008, he has amassed 12,565 all-purpose yards. He is the longest tenured Desperados player and the club's all-time leading receiver - 476 receptions for 5,589 yards and 116 touchdowns.

AFL 2007 (Dallas): Pettis earned Ironman of the Year honors, as well as earning his fourth-straight All-Ironman Team selection as he was named Ironman of the Game 15 times and was named Ironman of the Month for March and June. He ranked second in the league in all-purpose yards (2,781), tied for second in kickoff returns for a touchdown (four), sixth in catches (130), eighth in kickoff return average (21.2) and 10th in receiving yards (1,471). At New York (3/4) Pettis was named Ironman of the Game starting on both sides of the ball and finished second on the team with eight catches for 85 yards while leading the club with three touchdowns. He also added 22 yards on a missed field goal return and two tackles on defense. He was named Offensive Player and Ironman of the Game against Tampa Bay (3/10) after leading all receivers with 10 catches for single-game career highs in yards (143) and touchdowns (four). He also added three kickoff returns for 109 yards, including a 56-yarder for a touchdown and his 36.3-yard kickoff return average was good for the second-best single-game average in franchise history. He also returned a missed field goal attempt 18 yards and recorded 270 all-purpose yards, the 17th game of his career with 200-or-more all-purpose yards. He became the 20th player in league history to top 10,000 career all-purpose yards. At Kansas City (3/16) Pettis was named Ironman of the Game after catching three passes for 22 yards, returning five kickoffs 83 yards - with a long return of 44 yards - and finishing third on the team with five tackles. At Orlando (3/26) he took home Ironman of the Game honors after scoring a team-record seven touchdowns (five receiving, one rushing and a kickoff return) while recording 227 all-purpose yards. He also led the offense with seven catches for 108 yards and five touchdowns, added three runs for 14 yards and one score, returned four kickoffs for 108 yards and a touchdown - a team-record tying 58-yarder - and tied for third with four tackles while breaking up two passes. Pettis was named Ironman of the Game against Austin (3/31) after recording his 19th career 200 all-purpose yard game with 242 total yards after tying for the team lead with 10 catches for 109 yards (third on the team) and four touchdowns. He also returned a season-high seven kickoffs for 140 yards and a touchdown - his third of the season - and surpassed Greg Hopkins to move into 17th place on the league's all-time all-purpose yards list. Pettis was named Ironman of the Game against Columbus (4/5) after recording his 20th career 200-plus all-purpose yard game with 265 while also leading the team in receptions (10), receiving yards (130) and touchdowns (four) and returned six kickoffs 136 yards and was second on the defense with 5.5 tackles. He was named Ironman of the Game against Philadelphia (4/16) after recording six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, two runs for five yards, five kickoff returns for 93 yards, four tackles, two pass breakups and his first interception of the season. Pettis also topped 400 career catches and 11,000 career all-purpose yards in the game. At Georgia (4/21) Pettis caught five passes for 46 yards and a touchdown and returned six kickoffs 90 yards. He led the team with a season-high eight tackles. He earned Ironman of the Game honors against Nashville (4/27) after catching eight passes (second on the team) for 53 yards and a touchdown - the game-winner with 2.4 seconds remaining. He also added two kickoff returns for 48 yards and four tackles on defense. At Utah (5/4) he was named Ironman of the Game with four receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown, four kickoff returns for 109 yards and finished third on the team with three tackles and a pass breakup - the breakup was in the end zone with no time remaining to thwart a potential game-tying touchdown. Pettis was named Ironman of the Game against Chicago (5/14) with a team-best nine catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score - a three-yard reception from Clint Dolezel on fourth-and-one from the three-yard line with 0:03 remaining. At Columbus (5/26) he recorded his fifth 100-yard and 200 all-purpose yard game of the season with a team-best 142 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches along with 62 yards on four kickoff returns for a total of 204 all-purpose yards and added 2.5 tackles on defense. At Philadelphia (6/1) Pettis was named Ironman of the Game and of the Week after recording his sixth 200 all-purpose yard game with a team-high nine catches for a single-game career-best 191 yards and four touchdowns. He also added a three-yard rush for a score, returned one kickoff 27 yards and posted three tackles with an interception. Pettis was named Ironman of the Game against New Orleans (6/9) with his third consecutive (seventh of the season) 200-yard outing with 123 receiving yards - with two touchdowns on a team-high 11 catches - and 145 kickoff return yards - on seven returns. He also caught a two-point conversion pass from Dolezel to give Dallas a seven-point lead with 0:30 remaining in the game and added four tackles. He was named Ironman of the Game against New York (6/16) with a team-best eight catches for a team-high 90 yards with two touchdowns and added a tackle, a fumble recovery and an interception on defense. His work allowed the defense to force five turnovers while yielding the lowest yardage total (138) and second lowest point total (13) in franchise history. At Colorado (6/25) Pettis was named Ironman of the Game with four total touchdowns - three receiving and one kickoff return - catching six passes for 47 yards and returning just one kick 40 yards. He also added a team-high tying five tackles along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. In the Divisional Playoff Game against Columbus (7/7) Pettis was named Ironman of the Game after leading Dallas with eight catches for 69 yards and a touchdown, along with five kickoff returns for 93 yards and four tackles with three pass breakups - including an interception - on defense. He left the game in the beginning of the fourth quarter with back spasms.

AFL 2006 (Dallas): Pettis was named to the All-Arena team for the third time in his career as he amassed 1,256 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns on 93 receptions. His totals for the season helped catapult him to become the all-time leader in all club receiving categories and top 9,000 career all-purpose yards. He added 40 tackles, 13 passes defensed and six interceptions - bringing his career total to 15, good for second in team annals - on defense. In the season opener against Kansas City (1/29), he earned Ironman of the Game honors after catching five passes for 38 yards and a touchdown, returning two kickoffs for a 34.5-yard average, picking off two passes and leading the team with four pass breakups along with four tackles. At Utah (2/4) Pettis again earned Ironman of the Game for his two-way play after catching four passes for 61 yards and two scores on offense, returning five kickoffs 86 yards and recording 4.5 tackles on defense. At Columbus (2/11) he continued his great play - leading the team with 112 receiving yards on six catches and a score, returning six kickoffs 111 yards, a missed field goal returned 14 yards and picking off a pass on defense - once again earning Ironman of the Game. Against Austin (2/17) Pettis set a single-game career high with 12 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown while adding nine kickoff returns for 143 yards and three stops and a pick defensively. His yardage totals on offense and special teams allowed him to top 8,000 career all-purpose yards. Pettis earned Ironman of the Game and AFL's Ironman of the Week for his play against Las Vegas (2/25) with six receptions for 68 yards and three touchdowns, four kickoff returns for 48 yards, a missed field goal return for six yards and four tackles, one tackle for a loss, and a pass defensed on defense. He earned AFL Ironman of the Month for his work through the first part of the season. At Chicago (3/5) Pettis caught five passes for 68 yards and two scores, returned six kickoffs for 112 yards and had one tackle before finishing second on the team with six catches for 87 yards and tying for the team lead with three touchdowns at Tampa Bay (3/12). He also returned four kickoffs 53 yards and added a tackle and a pass breakup against the Storm. Against Orlando (3/19) Pettis posted a club-record 303 all-purpose yards and a team-high 139 receiving yards with three scores on seven catches. He added seven kickoff returns for 154 yards and a 10-yard interception return to go along with his 1.5 stops on defense against the Predators. Against Philadelphia (3/25) he led the team with eight catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns with five tackles and five kickoff returns for 91 yards. His yardage totals on the day allowed him to top 9,000 career all-purpose yards. Pettis recorded five receptions for 62 yards and four kickoff returns for 58 yards against Columbus (4/1). He also picked off his sixth pass of the season and posted a tackle against the Destroyers. At New York (4/9) he finished with 61 yards on six catches and a score, while adding 2.5 tackles and two pass breakups on defense. Pettis hauled in two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown, returned three kickoffs 54 yards and added a tackle and a pass breakup on defense against Grand Rapids (4/15). At Georgia (4/22) he finished with eight catches for 113 yards and two kickoff returns for 38 yards and 4.5 stops on defense. Against Arizona (4/28) he picked up Ironman of the Game for his play - eight receptions for a team-high 117 yards - his sixth 100-yard outing of the season - and three scores. He had one kickoff return for 11 yards and a missed field goal returned 32 yards and three tackles on defense. Pettis had five receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown and four tackles on defense at Philadelphia (5/6). He was inactive for the regular season finale against New York (5/12). Pettis returned to action in the Divisional Playoff Game against Georgia (5/27) earning Defensive Player of the Game. He had three tackles, a pass breakup and an interception which he returned 25 yards. He also added five receptions for 37 yards on offense and returned three kicks for 65 yards. In the Conference Championship Game against Orlando (6/4), Pettis led the team with 10 receptions for 98 yards and added two tackles on defense and five kickoffs for 84 yards.

AFL 2005 (Dallas): Pettis capped off a sensational third season with several milestones. In addition to being named to the All-Ironman Team and All-Arena Team for the third time, Pettis moved into second place in club history in touchdown catches (50), career receptions (253) and receiving yards (2,860). Defensively, he set a new personal best with 47.5 tackles and five interceptions. He posted five games with over 200 all-purpose yards, giving him 12 for his career. He also moved into second place in club record books with 426 career points and 70 career touchdowns. In the season-opener against Chicago (1/30), Pettis led the team with nine catches for 121 yards and had the team's first touchdown of the season, while adding 2.5 tackles on defense. At New York (2/6) he led the team once again with seven catches for 59 yards while adding 103 yards on six kickoff returns and one tackle and a pass deflection on defense. Against Columbus (2/13) he was named Ironman of the Week after catching four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, returning three kickoffs for 54 yards, notching a tackle, a fumble recovery and a key interception in the fourth quarter leading to Dallas's go-ahead touchdown and eventual game-winning score. Pettis earned AFL Ironman of the Week honors for the second consecutive week against Orlando (2/17) after catching three passes for 17 yards and two scores, returning four kicks 83 yards, two missed field goals 22 yards and finishing second on the team with five tackles while adding an interception on the Predator's final play of the game. At Philadelphia (2/27) he posted four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown and returned four kickoffs 68 yards. Against New Orleans (3/5) he hauled in five passes for 53 yards, six kick returns for 120 yards and five tackles. He was named Ironman of the Game after leading the team in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (82) with one score while adding three tackles, one for a loss, and a fourth quarter interception at Austin (3/13). Pettis posted four catches for 28 yards and a score, one rush for a touchdown, five kickoff returns for 87 yards, 1.5 tackles and two passes defensed at Los Angeles (3/18). He was named Ironman of the Game, leading the team in catches (eight), receiving yards (77), touchdowns (two) and posting three tackles and seven kick returns for 156 yards - including a 56-yard return for a touchdown on the game's opening kick against Colorado (3/25). He earned Ironman of the Game for the second consecutive game - the fifth time in 2005 - against Nashville (4/8) after leading the team with nine catches and 89 receiving yards while adding one touchdown and returning six kickoffs for 113 yards. Defensively, he added three tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. With his performance, he topped the 6,000-yard mark for career all-purpose yards. At San Jose (4/15), he led all receivers with 10 catches for 120 yards and a score while returning eight kickoffs for 161 yards and one touchdown. He added three tackles to put him over the 100-tackle plateau for his career. At Columbus (4/22) he played the entire game as a defensive specialist in place of Jermaine Jones (shoulder) and led the team with seven tackles while adding a pass deflection and helping limit Scott McMullen to a 47.7 completion percentage. He also returned four kickoffs 120 yards with one touchdown - a 56-yard return. He started the game against New York (4/29) as a two-way player and led the team with 134 yards on six catches and two touchdowns, while returning two kickoffs 58 yards. He finished the game as the team's defensive specialist in place of Hamin Milligan (groin), and posted two tackles. At Las Vegas (5/7) Pettis stepped up to the task as the team's DS in place of Milligan (groin) and finished with two tackles and an interception - his team-leading fifth - while adding five kickoff returns for 141 yards, including a 55-yard return for a touchdown - his fourth return of the season. He also set a personal single-season career-high in tackles that game, putting him at 40.5 for the year. At Georgia (5/14) he returned to two-way play and led the team in receptions (10) and receiving yards (105) with one score. He added a rush for a one-yard touchdown and returned six kicks for 100 yards. His yardage total following the game put him over the 7,000-yard mark for career all-purpose yards. In the season finale against Philadelphia (5/22), he earned Ironman of the Game honors for the sixth time, posting two catches for 15 yards, one tackle on defense and averaged 27.2 yards-per-return with two scores - 56 and 58 yarders - on six returns for 163 yards.

AFL 2004 (Dallas): Pettis finished his second season in Dallas second on the team in receptions (95), third in receiving yards (1,076) and touchdowns (20). In the season opener against Carolina (2/8), Pettis led the team with 157 total yards - 125 on five kickoff returns and a 32-yard touchdown grab - while tying for second with four tackles and a pass defensed. Against Philadelphia (2/15), he earned Ironman of the Game after recording four catches for 51 yards and a touchdown - the game-winner with 0:23 remaining - five kickoff returns for 77 yards, one rush for 28 yards and a score, a missed field goal return of 13 yards, two tackles and a career-high tying two pass breakups, including the final Soul pass attempt in the end zone as the clock expired. At New York (2/22) he caught a team-high seven passes for 70 yards and a score, while returning two kickoffs for 42 yards. He totaled 86 yards on six catches, 88 yards and a touchdown on three kickoff returns and 47 yards on two missed field goal returns at Columbus (2/29). Against Grand Rapids (3/6) Pettis added eight receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns, five kick returns for 98 yards, a missed field goal return for 22 yards and four tackles. The following week, he was named Ironman of the Game at Carolina (3/13) with five catches for 100 yards and two scores, four kick returns for 64 yards, a MFG return for 12 yards while helping limit the Cobra offense to 251 yards of total offense. Against Los Angeles (3/21) he set a then team record with 288 all-purpose yards - 106 yards and three touchdowns on seven receptions and 182 yards on 10 kickoff returns. At Philadelphia (4/4) he caught a career-high tying nine passes and a career-high 142 yards and two touchdowns - marking his third consecutive 100-yard receiving day. He also returned six kickoffs for 101 yards, finishing the day with 243 combined yards - his second straight game with more than 200 total yards and the then eighth-best day in team history. Against San Jose (4/10), Pettis had another all-around game totaling five catches for 45 yards, five kickoff returns for 93 yards, a MFG return for 16 yards, four tackles and a pass defensed. He caught a game-high nine passes for 110 yards and two scores while returning eight kickoffs for 164 yards and posting a stop on defense at Arizona (4/18). At Orlando (4/25) he finished with a then single-game career-best and then club record 260 kickoff return yards and club record two kickoffs returned for touchdowns, while catching two passes for 13 yards and a score. His 273 total yards was the then third highest single-game yardage total in club history. Against New York (5/1) he finished second on the squad with six catches for 43 yards, returned six kickoffs for 102 yards, a MFG return of 25 yards, while adding four tackles and two pass deflections on defense. At Austin (5/9) Pettis led the team once again with seven receptions for 70 yards and a season-high tying three touchdowns, along with two kickoff returns for 48 yards and two assisted tackles. Pettis led the team for the second consecutive week with eight catches for 60 yards and a score while adding five kick returns for 61 yards and four tackles at Chicago (5/16). Against Columbus (5/22) he totaled 252 yards for the game - 73 and a score on eight catches, 159 on nine kickoff returns and 20 on an interception return. To close out his stellar season, Pettis tied for third on the team with three catches for 21 yards while also returning four kickoffs for 86 yards and a single tackle against Tampa Bay (5/30).

AFL 2003 (Dallas): Pettis made his Arena Football League debut in 2003 and put together one of the league's best seasons by a rookie to earn All-Rookie and Second-Team All-Arena honors. He finished the season with a rookie club-record 1,562 all-purpose yards - 798 receiving, 640 on kickoff returns, 93 on missed field goal returns, 22 on interception returns and nine rushing - while finishing fourth on the team with 34.5 tackles. He opened his indoor career against New York (2/2) with four catches for 35 yards - including a key two-point conversion catch - three tackles and two passes defensed. The following week against Chicago (2/9), he totaled four tackles, an interception, three receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown and a missed field goal return for four yards. At Orlando (2/16) he tied for the team lead with six catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. He served as one of the defensive specialists at Detroit (2/23) and totaled four tackles while returning three kickoffs for 80 yards - all before spraining his right ankle midway through the third quarter and missing the remainder of the game. He returned to two-way play at Arizona (3/2) and caught two passes for 29 yards, returned two kickoffs for 30 yards and totaled two tackles and an interception. After Kareem Larrimore sprained his knee late in the third period against the Rattlers, Pettis finished the game as a defensive specialist. Playing as the defensive specialist against Colorado (3/7), he posted a tackle and a pass defensed while returning five kickoffs for 76 yards. Pettis returned to the two-way role against Grand Rapids (3/16) to catch three passes for 27 yards and a score, rush twice - including a one-yard touchdown - return two kickoffs for 34 yards, return a missed field goal for 33 yards and tie for the team lead with four stops. At Carolina (3/21) he caught three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown on offense while totaling four tackles and a pass deflection on defense. He caught a team-high eight passes for a career-high 116 yards and three touchdowns against Indiana (3/29) while posting three stops and returning three kickoffs for 51 yards and a missed field goal for 17 yards. In a nationally telecast game against San Jose (4/6), Pettis caught four passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns, carried the ball twice for three yards and the game-winning touchdown, and made a game-turning fourth quarter interception. He continued his strong performance at Indiana (4/13) by registering eight receptions for 84 yards and two scores on the offensive side of the ball, and four stops on the defensive side. With 84 total yards against the Firebirds, Pettis established a club rookie all-purpose yards record with 933 total yards in only 11 games. The following week at Chicago (4/20), he totaled 199 all-purpose yards, the then third-best all-purpose figure in franchise history. He reached this feat with 105 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches, 54 yards on three kickoff returns, 39 yards on a missed field goal return and a single yard on two rushes. He earned Co-Ironman of the Game honors against Los Angeles (4/27) after catching five passes for 44 yards - including a two-point conversion late in the game - rushing twice for three yards and a score, returning three kickoffs for 47 yards and totaling four tackles. During the four games in April, Pettis totaled 24 catches for 294 yards and six touchdowns, six carries for seven yards and a score, six kickoff returns for 101 yards, a missed field goal return for 39 yards, 9.5 tackles and an interception to earn AFL Rookie of the Month honors. He opened the month of May in grand fashion, catching a career-high nine passes for 78 yards and two scores, returning a career-high seven kickoffs for a season-high 190 yards. His career-high 266 total yards against the Storm (5/4) established a team record and marked only the second time in team history a player had registered more than 200 all-purpose yards in a single game (Dialleo Burks, 224 at San Jose, 5/25/02). The following week at Georgia (5/10), he caught a team-high seven passes for 68 yards and a score and carried the ball once for a two-yard touchdown despite missing considerable time during the game with a left hip pointer and a left shoulder strain. He missed the regular-season finale at Grand Rapids (5/18) with his injuries, but returned the following week to make his postseason debut in a first-round playoff game against Georgia (5/24). He earned Ironman of the Game honors against the Force after catching a team-high seven passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns, carrying the ball once for a yard, returning five kickoffs for 119 yards and totaling four tackles.

OTHER PRO EXPERIENCE: 2005 - Pettis went to training camp with the Atlanta Falcons, but was released on the final cut-down date. 2003 - Pettis went to training camp with the New Orleans Saints, but was released midway through camp. 2002 - Pettis joined the Pensacola Barracudas of af2 and finished the year second on the team with 55 catches for 791 yards and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, he led the club with nine interceptions for 47 yards, 34 pass break ups and eight missed field goal returns for 168 yards and a touchdown. He was third on the squad with 36.5 tackles, including two for losses. 2001 - He was out of football.

COLLEGE: Pettis transferred to Midwestern State and finished his final collegiate campaign with 42 tackles and three interceptions. He also finished second in the Lone Star Conference with a team-leading 14.6-yard punt return average - 146 yards on 10 returns. He was a starting corner for the Houston Cougars as a junior. He was named to the GJCAA Region 17 All-District team after totaling 54 tackles for Middle Georgia Junior College. He also broke up three passes for a Middle Georgia defense that established a NJCAA record for fewest yards surrendered in a season.

PERSONAL: Pettis attended the Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, Ga., to finish out his prep career. Since signing with the Desperados, Pettis has become a visible face in the Dallas-Fort Worth community. He is an annual supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas through the Desperados Impact Player Program. Several times a season, Pettis can be found playing basketball, video games or pool with at-risk youth served by clubs across the Metroplex. Pettis has twice served as a celebrity guest coach at the Dallas Cowboys Let Us Play! Sports Camp for Girls - a three-day sports camp for inner-city girls served by charitable organizations like The Salvation Army, West Dallas Community Centers and Girls, Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas. During the holiday season, Pettis participates in The Salvation Army Angel Tree program, where he adopts �angels' which represent underprivileged children and purchases gifts to brighten their holiday. Pettis signed autographs at the American Cancer Society's Smoke Out event. He lives with his wife, Akiah, and their daughters, Heaven Leigh and Gabriella, and son, William.