Quarterback Steven Sheffield, Kicker Julian Rauch, & Wide Receiver James Robinson Added To Active Roster
PITTSBURGH, PA (May 9, 2013) – The Pittsburgh Power have announced the reinstatement of quarterback Steven Sheffield to their active roster from the AFL’s Refuse to Report list. Sheffield originally signed a three-year contract with the Power last November. Prior to the opening of training camp in March, Sheffield decided to remain in Lubbock, TX, to attend to family matters.
The two-year AFL veteran spent his 2011 rookie season with Spokane Shock before joining the San Antonio Talons last year. With the Talons, Sheffield (6’4”/210) backed up AFL star Aaron Garcia. He played collegiately at Texas Tech, throwing for 1,578 yards and 17 touchdowns for his Red Raider career. In 2009, Sheffield made his first career start against Kansas State and set a school record with 370 yards passing in a half. He finished the game with career highs of 490 yards passing (33-of-41) and seven touchdowns.
Kicker Julian Rauch also joins Pittsburgh’s roster for Week 8 game action. The 5’11” 210 Gastonia, NC, native played at Appalachian State University, winning 3 Division I FCS National Championships with the Mountaineers. Rauch holds school records for career extra points (247) and scoring for kickers (373). The highlight of Rauch’s college career arguably may have been the 24-yard field goal he made with 26 seconds remaining to upset the University of Michigan, 34-32, in 2007 at “The Big House”.
James Robinson (6’3”/215), who was designated for reassignment from the Power’s injured reserve list on Tuesday, has been added to the active roster. The veteran has been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins practice squads and has appeared with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders in his nine-year professional career.
To make room for Sheffield, Rauch, and Robinson on the roster, the Power have placed kicker Josh Czajkowski, on league reassignment and wide receiver Perry Baker and defensive back Darrell Wolford on injured reserve.
The Power travel cross-state this Saturday night, May 11, facing the East Division-leading Philadelphia Soul. Kickoff at the Wells Fargo Center is 7:05 p.m. EDT. The game will be telecast on thisTV Pittsburgh and broadcast on TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk. The game will also be available via the AFL Live video player on arenafootball.com.