Willis Marshall Willis Thurman Marshall III ( born August 12 , 1975 , in Detroit , Michigan ) is a former Arena football Wide Receiver / Defensive back . He was most recently with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League . He played college football at Youngstown State . In his career , Marshall has played for the Calgary Stampeders , Grand Rapids Rampage , Colorado Crush , and Dallas Desperados . He was teammates with Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Jeff Garcia in 1998 , when the Stampeders won the 86th Grey Cup . High school career . Marshall attended Brother Rice High School in Detroit where he competed in football , basketball and track . He was a member of the football team that won the State Championship in 1990 . College career . Marshall attended Youngstown State University , where he played for future Ohio State head coach , Jim Tressel , as well as lettered in football . Youngstown State won the NCAA Division I - AA national championship in 1993 , 1994 and 1997 . As a freshman , Marshall recorded four tackles , one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a Defensive back . As a sophomore , he switched from Defensive back to Wide receiver , and recorded 10 receptions for 97 yards . As a junior , he recorded 24 receptions for 305 yards and one touchdown as a junior . As a senior , he led the team in receiving with 40 receptions for 490 yards and one touchdown en route to the Penguins third Division I - AA Championship in four years . He finished his college career with 74 receptions for 892 yards . He also graduated with Bachelor ’ s degree in Advertising and Communications . Professional career . Canadian Football League ( 1998 - 1999 ) . Marshall played the 1998 and 1999 seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders . The Stampeders won the 86th Grey Cup in 1998 , with Jeff Garcia as their quarterback . Arena Football League ( 2001 - present ) . Grand Rapids Rampage ( 2001 - 2003 ) . In 2001 , Marshall signed with the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League . In seven games as a rookie , he recorded 35 receptions for 440 yards and five touchdowns . On defense he recorded 14 tackles . In 2002 , he was named Second - team All - Arena after leading the Rampage in receptions with 80 , receiving yards with 973 , kickoff return yards with 813 and all - purpose yards with 1 , 791 in addition to recording 15 receiving touchdowns in 14 games . he recorded a season - high 118 receiving yards on five receptions with one touchdown on the road against the Arizona Rattlers . In 2003 , he recorded team highs in kickoff returns with 31 and kickoff return yards with 732 , and ranked second on the team in all - purpose yards with 1 , 741 . On offensve he recorded 75 receptions for 904 yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games . He recorded a season - high 11 receptions for 98 yards with three touchdowns on the road against the Dallas Desperados . Colorado Crush ( 2004 - 2006 ) . On November 11 , 2003 , Marshall signed with the Colorado Crush . For his first season with the Crush , he recorded 86 receptions for 854 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games . He ranked second on the team in receptions and scoring among non - kickers with 120 points . He recorded one net recovery for a touchdown in his Crush debut against the Las Vegas Gladiators . He recorded a season - high 10 receptions for 93 yards on the road against the San Jose SaberCats . In 2005 , he recorded 79 receptions for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns in addition to recording five yards on 15 carries and six touchdowns on offense in 15 games . He also recorded 42 kickoff returns for 932 kickoff return yards , and 29 . 5 tackles , four passes defensed and one forced fumble on defense . For his performance that season he was named to the AFL ’ s All - Ironman Team . He recorded 11 receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown in addition to two carries for two yards for two touchdowns on offense against the Nashville Kats , and was named Ironman of the Game . He was also named ArenaBowl MVP , after the Crush won ArenaBowl XIX over the Dallas Desperados , 51 - 48 . In 2006 , he recorded career highs in receptions with 100 , receiving yards with 992 , rushing attempts with 22 , rushing yards with 72 , kickoff returns with 79 and kickoff return yards with 1 , 580 in 16 games . He ranked third in the league in all - purpose yards with 2 , 6674 , which set a new franchise single - season record and was named to the AFL ’ s All - Ironman Team for his performance . He recorded seven receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns on offense against the Chicago Rush in addition to recording 5 . 5 tackles on defense , he earned Ironman of the Game for his performance . He was named Offensive Player of the Game and Ironman of the Game agasint the Gladiators after recording 126 kickoff return yards on five attempts , and eight receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns on offense . He recorded 275 all - purpose yards against the Ramapge by recording 198 kickoff return yards on seven attempts and 77 receiving yards on four receptions and one touchdown . He was named Ironman of the Game for his performance . Dallas Desperados ( 2007 ) . In 2007 , Marshall signed with the Dallas Desperados . In his only season in Dallas , he finished third on the team in receiving with 66 receptions for 747 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 games . He also recorded 29 kickoff returns for 485 yards . He also recorded 13 . 5 tackles and one interception on defense . Georgia Force ( 2008 ) . On December 5 , 2007 , Marshall signed with the Georgia Force . During the 2008 season , he played in three games for the Force , and recorded two receptions for 19 yards , and 11 carries for 20 yards on offense . Along with two tackles on defense , and 21 kickoff returns for 354 yards . He was released on March 28 . Cleveland Gladiators ( 2008 - present ) . Marshall then signed with the Cleveland Gladiators . With the Gladiators , he recorded 61 receptions for 647 yards and three touchdowns , along with six carries for 21 yards and three touchdowns on offense . He also recorded nine tackles , and one pass broken up on defense . He also recorded 34 kickoff returns for 684 yards . Personal . Marshall is cousins with former Dallas Cowboys and Georgia Force Fullback Robert Thomas . Marshall , also co - owns his own business , 4ward Motion , an event and party planning company in Detroit . Growing up his favorite players football players growing up were Walter Payton and Billy Sims . Marshall appeared in Disney ’ s movie " The Game Plan " as a Defensive back and running back .