MARCUS PITTMAN & TERRANCE SMITH ASSIGNED TO LA KISS
TYRONE GOARD AND J.J UNGA, ALSO ADDED TO THE ROSTER
Los Angeles, CA (November 20th, 2015)-The LA KISS continue to stockpile veteran leadership, as well as add young talent, to their 2016 roster. Today they welcome, 3-time ArenaBowl champion, defensive end, Marcus Pittman, 2-time ArenaBowl champion, defensive back, Terrance Smith, offensive lineman, J.J. Unga, and returning, wide receiver, Tyrone Goard. Pittman and Smith look to use their championship pedigree to bolster the LA KISS' defensive line, while Unga and Goard, add NFL experience to the LA KISS.
Pittman (6'5", 290 lbs, Defensive Line) signed a 2-year contract with the LA KISS. He is praised, across the AFL, as one of the most reliable defensive lineman. Pittman is going into his 7th season with the AFL. He entered the league in 2010 and has spent his previous 6 seasons with the Arizona Rattlers. Pittman's 8.5 sacks, in 2011, set the Rattlers' single-season sack record.
"Pittman is definitely an impact player in this league," said head coach Omarr Smith. "He has been an integral part of previous championship teams. His pass rushes are formidable and his best football is still ahead of him. He brings championship pedigree to our organization."
Pittman is reuniting with his former defensive coordinator, Omarr Smith, and president, Joe Windham. During his time in Arizona, Pittman played under Windham for 4, very successful seasons, all of which the Rattler's made it to the ArenaBowl championship (2011,2012, 2013, 2014). Pittman and Windham won the ArenaBowl championship 3 times (2012, 2013, 2014), two of which, (2012, 2013) coach Smith lead the Rattlers' defense.
Pittman, in his AFL career, has racked up 110 total tackles, including 28.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss. In addition, he has forced 8 fumbles and has recorded 8 fumble recoveries. The 29-year-old, is from Broadway, North Carolina, and attended Troy University.
Smith, (6'2", 200 lbs, Defensive Back) brings tremendous experience to the team. His resume includes time in the NFL, as a member of the 2010 Green Bay Packers practice squad. Smith is entering his 6th season in the AFL. He joined the league in 2011 and has spent all of his first 5 seasons with the Jacksonville Sharks. During his time with the Sharks, Smith was a front-runner on both sides of the ball and played a key role in Jacksonville’s 2011 and 2015 ArenaBowl appearances.
“Smith also brings championship experience to our team. He is a flat-out playmaker and one of the most versatile athletes in the league,” said Head Coach, Omarr Smith. “He is a dominant defender but also a very capable wide receiver.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he played both sides of the ball as well as special teams. Smith is a fierce competitor and has an infectious swagger that his teams love.”
Smith’s breakout season occurred in 2012, when, not only did he set an all-time franchise record with 2,984 all-purpose yards and caught 29 touchdowns as a receiver, he also tallied 21.5 tackles and 2 interceptions for Jacksonville’s defense. Smith was recognized around the league as one of the best all-around players and was awarded the AFL “All-Ironman Team”. In 2013 Smith was awarded to the “First-Team All-Arena”.
Smith, to go along with 47 total touchdowns, has racked up 281.5 total tackles, 31 interceptions, and 6 fumble recoveries, in his first 5 AFL seasons. The 28-year-old was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, where he attended Aiken High School.
Unga (6'5", 320 lbs, Offensive Line) brings multiple years of NFL experience to the LA KISS. He was signed, as an undrafted free agent, by the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. Unga was signed, from the Ravens practice squad, to the Buffallo Bills active roster in November 2013. He appeared in 3 games for the Bills during the 2013 season. In December 2014, one month after being assigned to the Arizona Rattlers, he was signed back onto the Ravens practice squad.
"He is a very strong and powerful offensive lineman,” said head coach Omarr Smith. "Football runs through his bloodline, many of his family members, including himself, have played in the NFL. Having him on our roster will add depth to the offensive line."
Unga is returning home to Southern California. The native of Rochester, California, attended Etiwanda High School. Before transferring to Midwestern State, Unga played for Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. Sac). His exceptional play for Mt. Sac earned him CCCAA “All-Region III First Team” honors and contributed to their 2009 California Community College Athletic Association championship.
Goard (6'4", 205 lbs, Wide Receiver) is returning for his 2nd season with the LA KISS. He was acquired by the LA KISS in a trade with the Philadelphia Soul last season. In 2015 the 3rd-year veteran, in his 6 games for the LA KISS, caught 17 receptions for 149 yards and 7 touchdowns. In week 16, Goard earned the “Cutters Catch of the Week.” with a spectacular 18-yard touchdown in the second quarter of the LA KISS’ victory over the Spokane Shock. The catch landed on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.
“Having Tyrone Goard back on our team, will really help us become one of the more explosive offenses in the AFL,” said Joe Windham, CEO of the LA KISS. “He can really extend the field with his length, size and pure athleticism.”
Goard had a standout rookie season with the Pittsburgh Power in 2014, hauling in 29 receptions for 306 yards and 18 touchdowns in just seven games. A native of Charleston, WV, he appeared in 36 games at Eastern Kentucky, recording 1,842 receiving yards and 24 touchdown catches, and earning “Second Team All-OVC” honors in 2011. Prior to coming to the AFL, Goard was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013.
For more information about the LA KISS and this announcement, please visit lakissfootball.com.
ABOUT LA KISS FOOTBALL:
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, two of the greatest showmen of all time, brought pro football to Los Angeles with the formation of LA KISS Football. In just one year, LA KISS has become a phenomenon by taking the KISS mentality and applying it to a sports team. LA KISS represents the fusion of entertainment and sports like no other brand and delivers an all-encompassing in-game experience that is second to none. LA KISS ownership combines over 40 years of success in both entertainment, sports and business. The leadership team looks to challenge and redefine the term “sports entertainment” by applying the KISS mindset to everything they do. For more information, visit lakissfootball.com or follow the team on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
