Chris Avery Chris Avery ( born September 21 , 1975 in Grenada , Mississippi ) is a professional arena football fullback / linebacker who is a free agent in the Arena Football League . He played college football at Kentucky State . In his career , Avery has played for the Norfolk Nighthawks , Dallas Cowboys , Barcelona Dragons , Grand Rapids Rampage , and Kansas City Brigade . College career . Avery first attended Holmes Community College where was named a JUCO All - America n in each of his two seasons before transferring to Kentucky State in 1999 . He was named a Division II All - American and named to the All - Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team at Kentucky State in 1999 after recording 32 tackles and four sacks . Professional career . af2 . Avery played one season with the Norfolk Nighthawks of af2 . He ranked as the teams second - leading rusher with 13 carries for 55 yards and two touchdown s in eight games along with eight tackles , one sack , one blocked field goal attempt and two forced fumble s . National Football League . Avery then attended training camp with the Dallas Cowboys . However did not make the team . NFL Europa . The next year , Avery was selected in the eighth round ( 46th overall ) of the 2001 NFL Europa draft by the Barcelona Dragons . However , he chose to play in the Arena Football League . Arena Football League . Grand Rapids Rampage . As a rookie in 2001 , Avery played 11 games , including three starts ( all postseason ) for the Grand Rapids Rampage , whom won ArenaBowl XV that same season . He also scored a rushing touchdown in the ArenaBowl . In 2002 , he played in just two games , recording two carries for one yard , and 2 . 5 tackles . In 2003 , he was named to the league ' s All - Ironman team for the first time . He led the team with 166 rushing yards , fifth in the league . He rushed for a season and career - high 71 yards against the Dallas Desperados , and his 40 - yard run was the longest of the season by any Grand Rapids player . He also recorded 26 . 5 tackles and 2 . 5 sacks on defense . And scored eight touchdowns . Then in 2004 , he recorded 195 rushing yards to lead the team . He also recorded 31 tackles , and was named the team ' s Ironman of the Year . In 2005 He had one of the most dominant seasons by an AFL fullback , he led all fullback / linebacker s in 13 offensive , defensive and special teams categories . He earned a spot on the All - Ironman team for the second time after leading all fullback / linebacker ’ s in rushing yards with 251 , yards per carry with 4 . 6 , receptions with 13 , receiving yards with 195 , receiving touchdowns with three , total points scored with 104 , total touchdowns with 17 , total offensive yards with 446 , offensive touches with 67 , yards per play with 6 . 7 , total tackles with 55 . 5 , special teams tackles with 18 . 0 and first downs gained with 30 . His 13 rushing touchdowns and 251 yards rushing were both career highs in addition to leading all fullback / linebackers . He scored a career - high four rushing touchdowns in week 11 against the Las Vegas Gladiators . Then in 2006 , he recorded a career - high 15 receptions and appeared in all 16 games to become the All - time franchise leader with 78 games played in , over six seasons . He moved into 13th place All - time in rushing yards during a game in Dallas on April 15 , 2006 when he rushed for 12 yards to pass Lincoln Coleman ’ s 736 yards . Avery became second in rush yards among active players , trailing only former teammate Chris Ryan . Of Ryan ’ s 855 yards , 266 came as a member of the Philadelphia Soul in 2004 and 2005 , leaving Avery as the franchises All - time leading rusher with 744 yards with Grand Rapids . Avery missed the entire 2007 season after suffering a knee injury on the first day of training camp . Kansas City Brigade . Avery joined the Kansas City Brigade for the 2008 season where he was the back - up fullback , starting Mac Linebacker and was the teams long snapper . For the season , he recorded three carries for five yards , 31 tackles , 2 . 5 sacks , one forced fumble , and one fumble recovery . He was waived by the Brigade on September 15 , 2008 . Personal . Avery has two sons , Chris Jr . and Tyrus , and two daughters , Markesha and Diamond . Notes . Chris has two son C . J . and Tyrus , three daughter Diamond Markesha and Caitlyn