The Tampa Bay Storm have signed wide receiver Joe Hills. Hills was the 2016 Arena Football League Offensive Player of the Year. He caught 116 passes for 2,020 yards and an outstanding 58 touchdowns while a member of the Jacksonville Sharks.
This isn’t Hills’ first trip to Tampa.
Tampa Bay Storm Sign Joe Hills
Hills played for the Storm for three seasons before playing the next two seasons in Jacksonville. While with the Storm, he set several Storm records.
As of right now, he is eighth all-time in Storm history in touchdown receptions (93), eighth in receiving yards (3,761), eighth in receptions (272) and second all-time in yards per catch (14.6). Hills is very happy to be back in Tampa, as well.
Headed Home
“Tampa is home,” he said, “this is where my family is and I couldn’t be happier to be closer to them. I’ve been away for a few years and now is the time to come back and put on the blue and gold.”
Hills began his AFL career back in 2011 as a member of the Spokane Shock. He would only play three games for them before beginning his time in Tampa.
His football career began the year prior, in 2011. He was a member of the Tennessee Titans practice squad.
The Storm kick off their season on April 8 against the Cleveland Gladiators at the Q Arena in Cleveland. Their home opener is on April 15 against the defending champion Philadelphia Soul.
With the departure of the Arizona Rattlers, the Storm are now the most successful active franchise. They’ve won five ArenaBowl in franchise history. They’ll be looking to bounce back from a 2-15 season in 2016.
Alongside Hills will be the all-time leading receiver in Storm history in T.T Toliver. With this duo working together in Tampa, they will make the Storm a successful team.
The Storm will be one of five teams playing in the 2017 season. This upcoming season will be the 30th in league history.
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