The resurgence of the Iowa Barnstormers program has brought many new faces into Des Moines, IA. One of the more influential faces, Dangelo McCray, plans to retire following Iowa Barnstormers season.
“[McCray] knows the game,” Barnstormers coach Dixie Wooten said. “When he played in Nebraska, he went to the championship. He knows exactly where we are trying to get.”
Dangelo McCray Plans on Retiring Following Iowa Barnstormers season
McCray plans on retiring after the 2017 season ends. That means this Saturday’s game against Sioux Falls could be his last ever.
“As a football player, you never know when your last game will be. This one is kind of special because it’s at home. We’re on a good roll right now and we should be able to take over.”
McCray wants to continue his football career, though, this time as a coach.
“I feel like with coaching I can effect a lot of younger guys, and just teach them the things that I’ve learned,” McCray said. “Just anything to get them to the next level.”
McCray has acted as just another coach for the Barnstormers this season.
“I think he’s a great coach,” roommate and defensive-back Dee Maggitt Jr. said. “We just had a new lineman come in, fresh off the couch. He was going against the second leading sack leader in the league. He did great.”
Spokane didn’t earn a single sack during the entire event.
Not only that, but Dangelo has been a vocal leader in the locker room too.
On top of being a captain, McCray has been the one who keeps the team grounded behind all of the success.
“He’s the guy that lets people know that you can be beat, and there’s flaws we need to correct,” Maggitt Jr. said. “He points them out a lot.”
Maggitt Jr. said a pair of examples of things McCray says include, “This ain’t gonna be no easy game,” and “I know them, they’re gonna come out [strong] you need to bring it.”
The Barnstormers will need to bring it on Saturday when they face the Sioux Falls Storm (13-2) for a playoff spot.
It’s win-or-go-home for the team at Wells Fargo Arena, and it kicks off at 7:05 p.m.
