June 22,2017
(Photo Credit: Philadelphia Soul)
Around the time he was nine years old,
Philadelphia Soul wide receiver Darius Reynolds got the nickname
“Money.” He recalls, “It kind of happened with my brothers and I
shooting basketball. One day I was making my shots consistently, so my
brothers would keep saying “money” every time I shot the ball and from
that day, it just kind of stuck with me as my name.” Saying money after
all of his career AFL scores would leave you out of breath. In his six
years in the league, he’s notched 131 receiving touchdowns, 15 rushing
touchdowns, and four more on kick returns. Money Reynolds is a safe bet
to find the end zone.
For the second time this season, Reynolds was awarded the AFL Offensive Player of the Week after he caught six passes for five touchdowns in the Soul’s 62-41 win over the Tampa Bay Storm last Saturday. That victory moved Philadelphia to 9-0. Reynolds doesn’t think an undefeated regular season is unrealistic. “I think we can definitely do that if we stay healthy and continue to improve,” he explains. “But our main goal and focus is to win the ArenaBowl again, and host it in Philadelphia.” Ironically, Money and the Soul plays their home games at the Wells Fargo Center.
In last year’s ArenaBowl, Reynolds scored the game’s first touchdown on a strike from Dan Raudabaugh. Money can’t say enough about his team’s legendary signal caller. “He’s very consistent, mostly off the field. His drive for success doesn’t just start or stop on the field. He pretty much runs the meeting room, coaches up everything,” Reynolds describes. “Even when we’re successful on a play or drive, he’ll come over and just pick our brains and prepare us for what’s next. He could easily be a great coach in this league with his experience and knowledge.”
Reynolds also has some experience playing quarterback. He was a QB at Reedley College before transferring to play wide receiver at Iowa State. What would QB Darius Reynolds like most about throwing to wide out Darius Reynolds? “Tough question to answer, but if I had to pick one attribute it would be my ball skills/range,” he decides. “And how I attack and fight for every ball in my area, even when it seems I won’t be able to get it.”
It’s not often that he can’t get to a pass, especially in the end zone. According to ArenaFan.com, he currently sits fifth in league history for touchdown/receptions percentage. Money gives credit elsewhere for his scoring success. “I think my biggest advantages are Coach Dolezel and Dan (Raudabaugh). They both make my job easier. When Dan’s on, his passes are undefendable,” Reynolds concluded. “Also, I don’t think people realize how well I can run/move. I cover ground pretty quickly and that makes it hard on a defensive back when I’m in full speed from the motion already.”
His career mark is 39 receiving touchdowns in a season, which he set in 2014. He has 27 so far this season, will he be aiming for a new career high? “I never really thought about that, but with less games than the season I had 39 in, that would be pretty impressive for myself,” he laughs. “So, I may have to add that one to the personal goals.” It’s hard to argue he won’t get there because Darius Reynolds is “Money” when it comes to scoring touchdowns.
Bernice Paine ·
Amazing!As his Dad would say . I would say that Darius is quick witted,intelligent and covers a lot of ground ,way to go "Money"
Stephanie Singletary ·
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Known
Scott McClellan ·
Thanks for sharing.... so awesome to see him tearing it up in the arena league!
Oj Reynolds ·
Very humnle and gracious young man.
God bless.
Love ya.#7
God bless.
Love ya.#7
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