Clay Rush

Clay Rush
	Rush with the Colorado Crush
Personal information
Born:	October 27, 1973 (age 50); Riverview Gardens, Missouri, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Riverview Gardens (St. Louis)
College:	Missouri Western
Position:	Kicker
Career history
	Shreveport Knights (1999); Iowa Barnstormers (1999–2000); New York Dragons (2001–2002); Indiana Firebirds (2003–2004); Colorado Crush (2005–2006); Kansas City Brigade (2007); Arizona Rattlers (2007); Colorado Crush (2008);

Clay Rush (born October 27, 1973) is a former American football kicker who played in the Arena Football League (AFL) from 1999 to the original league's folding in 2008.^[3]

Early years

At Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Rush was a three-sport star in football, soccer, and baseball. He threw a no-hitter his senior season against Normandy High School. He also played basketball early in his high school career though he didn't play varsity.

Rush attended Missouri Western State University, where he was named to the Mid–America Intercollegiate Athletics Association All-Conference Team four times, and was an NCAA Division II All-American as a senior.

Professional career

Rush attended NFL training camp with the Detroit Lions (1998), Atlanta Falcons (1999), Washington Redskins (2000), and New York Jets (2003).^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

Rush played for the Shreveport Knights in the short-lived Regional Football League in 1999.^[8]

Arena Football League

Rush was named First Team All-Arena in 2000 and 2003. He was also named Second Team All-Arena in 2005 and 2006. Rush was named AFL Kicker of the Year^[9] in both 2000 and 2003.^[10] In 2001, Rush made an AFL-record 110 extra-points, including a record 13 made PATs vs. Carolina on July 7, 2001.^[11] Rush made the game-winning field goal as time expired during ArenaBowl XIX. In 2005, Rush converted a 62-yard field goal and lead the AFL in touchbacks.^[12]

In 2008, Rush sustained a series of hits to the head in two games two weeks apart. Rush was removed from the game in Kansas City following positive signs of concussion. Following the second concussion, Rush wasn't properly evaluated or monitored. Team physicians cleared Rush to return to play after resting for a week. When Rush played again on about April 25, 2008, his symptoms worsened and he suffered permanent brain damage.^[13]