BETHEL-THOMPSON INKS DEAL WITH SAN JOSE SABERCATS FOR 2011

2/23/2011

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Former Sacramento State quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson has signed a contract with the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League. Bethel-Thompson will immediately join the team for training camp in Sunnyvale, Calif.

A three-year member of the Hornet football team, Bethel-Thompson threw for 1,615 yards and eight touchdowns in 24 career games. The 6-foot-4, San Francisco native was the team's opening day starter at Stanford in 2010 but suffered an ankle injury prior to halftime which left him sidelined for most of the year.

Bethel-Thompson becomes the latest Hornet to join the SaberCats. Head coach Darren Arbert returns to lead the franchise in 2011 and has also added the role as team owner to his resume. Bethel-Thompson will also be a teammate of former Sacramento State receiver Fred Otis Amey who returns to the AFL after playing for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League in 2010. Amey previously was a star with the Cleveland Gladiators before the AFL stopped operation following the 2008 season.

While some AFL teams returned to action last season, the SaberCats are preparing for their first season back in the league. Bethel-Thompson is one of three quarterbacks on the roster, joining returning starter Mark Grieb (UC Davis) and newcomer Nate Longshore (Cal). The team's first regular season game will be played on March 11 against the Spokane Shock at HP Pavilion.