One month after he was named one of the Arena Football League’s top 25 wide receivers of all time, former Bradwell Institute football player Will Pettis was honored by the league again.
Pettis was picked as one of the top 25 ironmen players in AFL history, making the No. 3 spot, according to the league. The league’s ironmen played both offense and defense. Pettis, a wide receiver/defensive back, was an All-Ironman team selection for five consecutive seasons from 2004-2008, according to the release. One month after he was named one of the Arena Football League’s top 25 wide receivers of all time, former Bradwell Institute football player Will Pettis was honored by the league again.
Pettis was picked as one of the top 25 ironmen players in AFL History, making the No. 3 spot on the list, according to the league. The league’s ironmen were players who played both offense and defense. Pettis, a wide receiver/defensive back, was an All-Ironman team selection for five consecutive seasons from 2004-2008, according to the release.
Pettis made his arena football
Pettis made his arena football debut with the Pensacola Barracudas and spent seven years with the Dallas Desperados. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2003 and was selected Second-Team All-Arena three consecutive seasons from 2003-05. By 2006, Pettis owned every major receiving record for the Desperados franchise. His best statistical season was in 2007, when he totaled 128 catches for 1,441 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also posted a career-best 56 tackles on defense.
He was named ironman of the year in 2007 and 2008 and finished his career in 2010 with more than 14,000 all-purpose yards and 173 combined touchdowns.
The AFL, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season, had a committee vote on a number of “Top 25” lists, ranging from the best uniforms to the 25 greatest players in AFL history.

25 greatest ironmen in Arena Football League history
1. Barry Wagner                        
2. Hunkie Cooper                        
3. Will Pettis                                    
4. Lawrence Samuels                        
5. Greg Hopkins                        
6. Randy Gatewood                        
7. Sylvester Bembery                        
8.Darryl Hammond                        
9.DeJuan Alfonso                        
10. Sam Hernandez                        
11. Chad Dukes                        
12. Andre Bowden                        
13. Kevin Ingram                        
14. Cory Fleming                        
15. Bob McMillen                        
16. John Moyer                                    
17. James Roe                                    
18. B.J. Cohen                                    
19. Dwayne Dixon                        
20. Kyle Moore-Brown            
21. Rashied Davis            
22. Gary Mullen
23. Gary Compton
24. Jermaine Smith
25. Jarrick Hillery