P. J. Berry

P.J. Berry

No. --     Pittsburgh Power
Wide Receiver
Personal information
Date of birth: December 18, 1982 (1982-12-18) (age 28)
Place of birth: Hopewell, Virginia
High School: Hopewell High School
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
University: Virginia State
Undrafted in 2006
Debuted in 2008 for the South Georgia Wildcats
Career history
South Georgia Wildcats (2008) Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (2009-2010) New Orleans VooDoo (2011) Pittsburgh Power (2012-present) *Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
American Conference All-af2 First Team (2008)
Career Arena football statistics
Receptions	267
Yards	2,866
Touchdowns	58
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Pharisse J. Berry (born December 18, 1982) is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League.^[1]

Early life

Born the son of Pharisse Sr. and Virginia Berry, P.J. attented Hopewell High School in Hopewell, Virginia, where he was a two-sport star, lettering in football and baseball. He was an All-District selection in football as a junior and senior, while playing defensive back, quarterback and returned punts. Played baseball for three seasons, where he started mainly in centerfield, and also notched some innings as a pitcher. He was named All-Region twice in baseball. Voted to the Hopewell All-Decade Team for the 2000s (2000–09).

College career

Berry chose to continue his athletic career in college at Virginia State University, where he was a four-year letterwinner and was named All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association all four years at Virginia State. Selected All-Conference as a wide receiver as a freshman and sophomore, selected as kick returner as a junior and senior. Garnered All-American First Team honors as kick returner his senior season from the American Coaches Association. He is one of only two players to ever be named an All-American in football at Virignia State.^[2] In 2005, he was second in the nation returning kicks with a 34.4 yards/return average. He compiled over 3,000 all-purpose yards for his career. Named Division II Player of the Year for the state of Virginia in 2005.^[3] Also played baseball for Virginia State, where he was selected All-CIAA every season as a centerfielder, and boasted a .310 career batting average. Led the nation in stolen bases as a senior in 2005, swiping 39-of-40 attempts.

Professional career

South Georgia Wildcats

After sitting out a few years, Berry signed and played with the South Georgia Wildcats of the af2, in 2008, recording 3,229 all-purpose yards. As a receiver, Berry caught 92 passes totaling 1,425 yards and including 28 touchdown receptions. As a kick returner, Berry scored 6 touchdowns on his way to accumulating 1,753 return yards, as well as adding 2 rushing touchdowns. For his efforts he was named American Conference All-af2 First Team.^[4]

Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings

For the 2009 season, Berry joined the af2 Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings. In his 2nd year with the team, the Battle Wings joined the re-formed Arena Football 1. There Berry posted 118 catches for 1,352 yards and had 33 touchdowns. He also had 65 kick-off returns for 1,171 yards and 2 touchdowns.^[5]

New Orleans VooDoo

Berry signed with the New Orleans VooDoo on January 5, 2010 for the 2011 season.^[6]

References

1. ^ 2011 VooDoo roster
2. ^ Virginia State All-Americans
3. ^ P.J. Berry Richmond Touchdown Division II Play of the Year for Virginia
4. ^ Two Wildcat Players Earn All Conference
5. ^ P.J. Berry Arenafan.com Stats
6. ^ P.J. Berry VooDoo Bio

Persondata
Name	Berry, P.J.
Alternative names
Short description	American football player
Date of birth	December 18, 1982
Place of birth	Hopewell, Virginia
Date of death
Place of death