Will Pettis

Infobox AFLactive
name =Will Pettis


width =
caption =
currentteam =Dallas Desperados
currentnumber =3
currentpositionplain =Wide Receiver / Defensive Back
birthdate =Birth date and age|1977|12|11
birthplace =Hinesville, Georgia
heightft =6
heightin =0
weight =200
debutyear =2003
debutteam =Dallas Desperados
highlights =
college =Midwestern State
pastteams =
* Pensacola Barracudas (2002 af2)
* Dallas Desperados (2003 - present)
* New Orleans Saints (2003)*
* Atlanta Falcons (2005)*
status =Active
highlights =
* 2x Ironman of the Year (2007 & 2008)
* 4x All-Ironman Team
* 3x All-Arena Team
statweek =17
statseason =2008
statlabel1 =Receptions
statvalue1 =95
statlabel2 =Yards
statvalue2 =1,048
statlabel3 =Touchdowns
statvalue3 =25
statlabel4 =Tackles
statvalue4 =21
statlabel5 =Interceptions
statvalue5 =2
statlabel6 =Yards
statvalue6 =71
afl =96638
pfr =
cbs =
espn =
si =

Will Pettis (born December 11, 1977) is a Wide Receiver / Defensive Back in the Arena Football League, currently playing for the Dallas Desperados. He began his professional career with the Pensacola Barracudas of af2. He played collegiately at Midwestern State.

Pettis is a four time member of the AFL's All-Ironman team, a three time member of the All-Arena team and was the 2007 Ironman of the Year. He has also played his entire AFL career with the Dallas Desperados.

Early life and college career

Pettis was born in Hinesville, Georgia and attended the Bradwell Institute in Hinesville to finish his prep career. He then attended Middle Georgia Junior College. He was named to the GJCAA Region 17 All-District team after totaling 54 tackles for Middle Georgia. He also broke up three passes for a Middle Georgia defense that established a NJCAA record for fewest yards surrendered in a season.He was a starting cornerback for the Houston Cougars as a junior. Pettis transferred to Midwestern State and finished senior season with 42 tackles and three interceptions. He also finished second in the Lone Star Conference with a team-leading 14.6 yard punt return average, 146 yards on 10 returns.

Professional career

2001

In 2001, Pettis was out of football.

2002

In 2002, Pettis joined the Pensacola Barracudas of af2 and finished the year second on the team with 55 catches for 791 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense, he led the club with nine interceptions for 47 yards, 34 pass breakups and eight missed field goal returns for 168 yards and a touchdown. Pettis was third on the squad with 36.5 tackles, including two for losses.

2003

In 2003, Pettis made his Arena Football League debut and had one of the league’s best seasons by a rookie, earning All-Rookie and Second-Team All-Arena honors. He finished the season with a rookie club-record 1,562 all-purpose yards, 798 receiving, 640 on kickoff returns, 93 on missed field goal returns, 22 on interception returns and nine rushing, while finishing fourth on the team with 34.5 tackles.

He began his career against the New York Dragons with four catches for 35 yards, three tackles and two passes defensed. The following week against the Chicago Rush, he totaled four tackles, an interception, three cathes for 18 yards and a touchdown and a missed field goal return for four yards. In Orlando he tied for the team lead with six catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. He served as one of the defensive specialists at the Detroit Fury and totaled four tackles while returning three kickoffs for 80 yards, before suffering a sprained right ankle midway through the third quarter and missing the remainder of the game. He returned to two-way play in Arizona against the Rattlers and caught two passes for 29 yards, returned two kickoffs for 30 yards and totaled two tackles and an interception. After Kareem Larrimore suffered a sprained knee late in the third quarter, Pettis finished the game as a defensive specialist. Playing as the defensive specialist against the Colorado Crush, he posted a tackle and a pass defensed while returning five kickoffs for 76 yards. Pettis returned to the two-way role against the Grand Rapids Rampage to catch three passes for 27 yards and a score, rush twice, including a one-yard touchdown, return two kickoffs for 34 yards, return a missed field goal for 33 yards and tie for the team lead with four stops. At the Carolina Cobras he caught three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown on offense while totaling four tackles and a pass deflection. He caught a team-high eight passes for a career-high 116 yards and three touchdowns against the Indiana Firebirds while posting three tackles and returning three kickoffs for 51 yards and a missed field goal for 17 yards. Against the San Jose SaberCats, Pettis caught four passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns, carried the ball twice for three yards and the game-winning touchdown, and made a fourth quarter interception. He continued his strong performance at Indiana by registering eight receptions for 84 yards and two scores on offense, and four stops on defense. With 84 total yards against the Firebirds, Pettis established a club rookie all-purpose yards record with 933 total yards in only 11 games. At Chicago, he totaled 199 all-purpose yards, the then third-best all-purpose figure in franchise history. He reached this total with seven cathes for 105 yards and two touchdowns, 54 yards on three kickoff returns, 39 yards on a missed field goal return and two rushes for one yard. He earned Co-Ironman of the Game honors against the Los Angeles Avengers after making five receptions for 44 yards, two rushes for three yards and a touchdown, three kickoffs returns for 47 yards and totaling four tackles. During April, Pettis totaled 24 catches for 294 yards and six touchdowns, six rushes for seven yards and a score, six kickoff returns for 101 yards, a missed field goal return for 39 yards, 9.5 tackles and an interception to earn AFL Rookie of the Month honors. He began May catching a career-high nine passes for 78 yards and two scores, returning a career-high seven kickoffs for a season-high 190 yards. His career-high 266 total yards against the Tampa Bay Storm established a team record and marked only the second time in team history a player registered more than 200 all-purpose yards in a single game, the other being Dialleo Burks with 224 at San Jose SaberCats on 5/25/02. The following week at the Georgia Force, he caught a team-high seven passes for 68 yards and a score and ran the ball once for a two-yard touchdown despite missing considerable time during the game with a left hip pointer and a left shoulder strain. He missed the regular-season finale at Grand Rapids with his injuries, but returned the following week in his postseason debut in a first-round playoff game against Georgia. He earned Ironman of the Game honors against the Force after catching a team-high seven passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns, rushing the ball once for one yard, returning five kickoffs for 119 yards and totaling four tackles.

After the AFL season, Pettis went to training camp with the New Orleans Saints, but was released midway through training camp.

2004

In 2004, Pettis finished the season second on the team in receptions (95), third in receiving yards (1,076) and touchdowns (20).

In the season opener against the Carolina Cobras, Pettis led the team with 157 total yards, 125 on five kickoff returns and a 32-yard touchdown reception, while tying for second with four tackles and a pass defensed. Against the Philadelphia Soul, he earned Ironman of the Game after recording four catches for 51 yards and a touchdown, the game-winner with 0:23 remaining, five kickoff returns for 77 yards, one rush for 28 yards and a touchdown, a missed field goal return of 13 yards, two tackles and a career-high tying two pass breakups, including the final Philadelphia pass attempt in the end zone as time expired. At the New York Dragons he caught a team-high seven passes for 70 yards and a score, while returning two kickoffs for 42 yards. He totaled 86 yards on six catches, 88 yards and a touchdown on three kickoff returns and 47 yards on two missed field goal returns at the Columbus Destroyers. Against the Grand Rapids Rampage, Pettis added eight receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns, five kick returns for 98 yards, a missed field goal return for 22 yards and four tackles. The following week, he was named Ironman of the Game in Carolina with five catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns, four kick returns for 64 yards, a missed field goal return for 12 yards. Against Los Angeles he set a then team record with 288 all-purpose yards, 106 yards and three touchdowns n seven receptions and 182 yards on 10 kickoff returns. At Philadelphia he caught a career-high tying nine passes and a career-high 142 yards and two touchdowns, marking his third consecutive 100-yard receiving game. He also returned six kickoffs for 101 yards, finishing the game with 243 combined yards, his second straight game with more than 200 total yards and the then eighth-best game in team history. Against San Jose, Pettis had another all-around game totaling five catches for 45 yards, five kickoff returns for 93 yards, a missed field goal return for 16 yards, four tackles and a pass defensed. He caught a game-high nine passes for 110 yards and two scores while returning eight kickoffs for 164 yards and posting a stop on defense at Arizona. At the Orlando Predators he finished with a then single-game career-best and then club record 260 kickoff return yards and club record two kickoffs returned for touchdowns, while catching two passes for 13 yards and a score. His 273 total yards was the then third highest single-game yardage total in franchise history. Against New York he finished second on the team with six receptions for 43 yards, returned six kickoffs for 102 yards, a missed field goal return of 25 yards, while adding four tackles and two pass deflections on defense. At the Austin Wranglers, Pettis led the team once again with seven receptions for 70 yards and a season-high tying three touchdowns, along with two kickoff returns for 48 yards and two assisted tackles. Pettis led the team for the second straight week with eight catches for 60 yards and a touchdown while adding five kick returns for 61 yards and four tackles at Chicago Rush. Against the Destroyers, he totaled 252 yards for the game, 73 and a touchdown on eight catches, 159 on nine kickoff returns and 20 on an interception return. To end the season, Pettis tied for third on the team with three catches for 21 yards while also returning four kickoffs for 86 yards and a single tackle against the Tampa Bay Storm.

2005

In 2005, Pettis ended the season with several milestones. In addition to being named to the All-Ironman Team and All-Arena Team for the third time, Pettis moved into second place in franchise history in touchdown catches (50), career receptions (253) and receiving yards (2,860). On defense, he set a personal best with 47.5 tackles and five interceptions. He posted five games with over 200 all-purpose yards, giving him 12 for his career. He also moved into second place in franchise record books with 426 career points and 70 career touchdowns.

In the season-opener against Chicago, Pettis led the team with nine catches for 121 yards and had the team’s first touchdown of the season, while adding 2.5 tackles on defense. At the New York Dragons, he led the team again with seven catches for 59 yards while adding 103 yards on six kickoff returns and one tackle and a pass deflection on defense. Against the Columbus Destroyers he was named Ironman of the Week after catching four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, returning three kickoffs for 54 yards, a tackle, a fumble recovery and an interception in the fourth quarter leading to Dallas’s go-ahead touchdown and eventual game-winning touchdown. Pettis earned AFL Ironman of the Week honors for the second consecutive week against the Orlando Predators after catching three passes for 17 yards and two touchdowns, returning four kicks 83 yards, two missed field goals 22 yards and finishing second on the team with five tackles while adding an interception on Orlandos final play of the game. At the Philadelphia Soul he posted four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown and returned four kickoffs 68 yards. Against the New Orleans VooDoo he made five receptions for 53 yards, six kick returns for 120 yards and five tackles. He was named Ironman of the Game after leading the team in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (82) with one touchdown while adding three tackles, one for a loss, and a fourth quarter interception at the Austin Wranglers. Pettis recorded four catches for 28 yards and a touchdown, one rush for a touchdown, five kickoff returns for 87 yards, 1.5 tackles and two passes defensed at the Los Angeles Avengers. He was named Ironman of the Game, leading the team in catches (eight), receiving yards (77), touchdowns (two) and posting three tackles and seven kick returns for 156 yards, including a 56-yard return for a touchdown on the game’s opening kick against the Colorado Crush. He earned Ironman of the Game for the second straight game, fifth for the season, against the Nashville Kats after leading the team with nine catches and 89 receiving yards while adding one touchdown and returning six kickoffs for 113 yards. Defensively, he added three tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. With his performance, he topped the 6,000-yard mark for career all-purpose yards. At the San Jose SaberCats, he led all receivers with 10 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown while returning eight kickoffs for 161 yards and one touchdown. He added three tackles to put him over the 100 for his career. At Columbus he played the entire game as a defensive specialist in place of Jermaine Jones, who was out with a shoulder injury, and led the team with seven tackles while adding a pass deflection and helping limit Scott McMullen to a 47.7 completion percentage. He also returned four kickoffs 120 yards with one touchdown, a 56-yard return. He started the game against New York as a two-way player and led the team with 134 yards on six catches and two touchdowns, while returning two kickoffs 58 yards. He finished the game as the team’s defensive specialist in place of Hamin Milligan who was out with a groin injury, and posted two tackles. At the Las Vegas Gladiators, Pettis played as the teams defensive specialist in place of Milligan, who was out with an injuried groin and finished with two tackles and an interception, team-leading fifth, while adding five kickoff returns for 141 yards, including a 55-yard return for a touchdown, his fourth return of the season. He also set a personal single-season career-high in tackles in the game, putting him at 40.5 for the year. At the Georgia Force, he returned to two-way play and led the team in receptions (10) and receiving yards (105) with one touchdown. He added one rush for a one-yard touchdown and returned six kicks for 100 yards. His yardage total following the game put him over 7,000 all-purpose yards for his career. In the season finale against Philadelphia, he earned Ironman of the Game honors for the sixth time, posting two catches for 15 yards, one tackle on defense and averaged 27.2 yards-per-return with two scores, 56 and 58 yard returns, on six returns for 163 yards.

Pettis went to training camp with the Atlanta Falcons, but was released on the final cut-down date.

2006

In 2006, Pettis was named to the All-Arena team for the third time in his career after he recorded 1,256 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns on 93 receptions. His totals for the season helped helped him to become the all-time leader in all franchise receiving categories and top 9,000 career all-purpose yards. He added 40 tackles, 13 passes defensed and six interceptions, bringing his career total to 15, good for second in team history, on defense.

In the season opener against the Kansas City Brigade, he earned Ironman of the Game honors after catching five passes for 38 yards and a touchdown, returning two kickoffs for a 69 yards, intercepting two passes and leading the team with four pass breakups along with four tackles. At the Utah Blaze, Pettis again earned Ironman of the Game for his two-way play after catching four passes for 61 yards and two scores on offense, returning five kickoffs 86 yards and recording 4.5 tackles on defense. At the Columbus Destroyers he continued his superb play, leading the team with 112 receiving yards on six catches and a touchdown, returning six kickoffs 111 yards, a missed field goal returned 14 yards and intercepting a pass on defense, once again earning Ironman of the Game. Against the Austin Wranglers, Pettis set a single-game career high with 12 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown while adding nine kickoff returns for 143 yards and three tackles and a pick on defense. His yardage totals on offense and special teams allowed him to pass 8,000 career all-purpose yards. Pettis earned Ironman of the Game and AFL’s Ironman of the Week for his play against the Las Vegas Gladiators with six catches for 68 yards and three touchdowns, four kickoff returns for 48 yards, a missed field goal return for six yards and four tackles, one tackle for a loss, and a pass defensed on defense. He earned AFL Ironman of the Month for his work through the first part of the season. At the Chicago Rush, Pettis caught five passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns, returned six kickoffs for 112 yards and had one tackle before finishing second on the team with six catches for 87 yards and tying for the team lead with three touchdowns at the Tampa Bay Storm. He also returned four kickoffs 53 yards and added a tackle and a pass breakup. Against Orlando, Pettis posted a franchise record 303 all-purpose yards and a team-high 139 receiving yards with three scores on seven catches. He added seven kickoff returns for 154 yards and a 10-yard interception return to go along with his 1.5 tackles on defense. Against Philadelphia, he led the team with eight catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns with five tackles and five kickoff returns for 91 yards. His yardage totals for the game allowed him to achieve 9,000 career all-purpose yards. Pettis recorded five receptions for 62 yards and four kickoff returns for 58 yards against Columbus, he also intercepted his sixth pass of the season and posted a tackle. At New York he finished with 61 yards on six catches and a score, while adding 2.5 tackles and two pass breakups on defense. Pettis hauled in two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown, returned three kickoffs 54 yards and added a tackle and a pass breakup on defense against the Grand Rapids Rampage. At Georgia, he finished with eight catches for 113 yards and two kickoff returns for 38 yards and 4.5 stops on defense. Against the Arizona Rattlers, he picked up Ironman of the Game for his play, eight receptions for a team-high 117 yards, his sixth 100-yard game of the season, and three touchdowns. He had one kickoff return for 11 yards and a missed field goal returned 32 yards and three tackles on defense. Pettis had five receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown and four tackles on defense at Philadelphia. He was inactive for the regular season finale against New York. Pettis returned to action in the Divisional Playoff Game against Georgia earning Defensive Player of the Game. He had three tackles, a pass breakup and an interception which he returned 25 yards. He also added five receptions for 37 yards on offense and returned three kickoffs for 65 yards. In the Conference Championship Game against Orlando, Pettis led the team with 10 receptions for 98 yards and added two tackles on defense and five kickoffs for 84 yards.

2007

In 2007, Pettis earned Ironman of the Year honors [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=F17BF1DA-FE43-8469-3DB4C06C4BCE07C9 "Still A Triple Threat" by Rob Phillips DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer February 6, 2008 7:18 PM] ] , as well as earning his fourth-straight All-Ironman selection as he was named Ironman of the Game 15 times and was named Ironman of the Month for March and June. He ranked second in all-purpose yards (2,781), tied for second in kickoff returns for a touchdown (four), sixth in catches (130), eighth in kickoff return average (21.2) and 10th in receiving yards (1,471).

At the New York Dragons, Pettis was named Ironman of the Game after starting at receiver and defensive back and was second on the team with eight catches for 85 yards while leading the club with three touchdowns. He also added 22 yards on a missed field goal return and two tackles on defense. He was named Offensive Player and Ironman of the Game against the Tampa Bay Storm, after leading all receivers with 10 catches for single-game career highs in yards (143) and touchdowns (four). He also added three kickoff returns for 109 yards, including a 56-yarder for a touchdown and his 36.3-yard kickoff return average is good for the second best single-game average in franchise history. He also returned a missed field goal attempt 18 yards and recorded 270 all-purpose yards, the 17th game of his career with 200 or more all-purpose yards, became the 20th player in league history to top 10,000 career all-purpose yards and tied for second on the team with five tackles, one for a loss. At the Kansas City Brigade, Pettis was named Ironman of the Game after starting on both sides of the ball and catching three passes for 22 yards, returning five kickoffs 83 yards, and finishing third on the team with five tackles. At the Orlando Predators, he took home the Ironman of the Game honors after scoring a team-record seven touchdowns (five receiving, one rushing and a kickoff return) while recording 227 all-purpose yards. He also led the offense with seven catches for 108 yards and five touchdowns, added three rushes for 14 yards and one score, returned four kickoffs for 108 yards and a touchdown, a team-record tying 58-yards, and tied for third with four tackles while breaking up two passes. Pettis was named Ironman of the Game against the Austin Wranglers after recording his 19th career 200 all-purpose yard game with 242 total yards after tying for the team lead with 10 catches for 109 yards (third on the team) and four touchdowns. He also returned a season-high seven kickoffs for 140 yards and a touchdown, his third of the season, and surpassed Greg Hopkins to move into 17th place on the league’s all-time all-purpose yards list. Pettis was named Ironman of the Game against Columbus Destroyers after recording his 20th career 200-plus all-purpose yard game with 265 while also leading the team in receptions (10), receiving yards (130) and touchdowns (four) and returned six kickoffs 136 yards, rushed twice for -1 yard and was second on the defense with 5.5 tackles. He was named Ironman of the Game against the Philadelphia Soul after recording six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, two rushes for five yards, five kickoff returns for 93 yards, four tackles, two pass breakups and his first interception of the season. Pettis also surpassed 400 career catches and 11,000 career all-purpose yards in the game. At the Georgia Force, Pettis caught five passes for 46 yards and a touchdown and returned six kickoffs 90 yards. He led the team with a season-high eight tackles. He earned Ironman of the Game honors against the Nashville Kats, after catching eight passes (second on the team) for 53 yards and a touchdown, the game winner with 2.4 second remaining. He also added two kickoff returns for 48 yards and four tackles. At the Utah Blaze, he was named Ironman of the Game after four receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown, four kickoff returns for 109 yards and finishing third on the team with three tackles and a pass breakup, the breakup was in the end zone with no time remaining. Pettis was named Ironman of the Game against the Chicago Rush, with a team-best nine catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown, a three-yard reception from Clint Dolezel on fourth-and-one from the three-yard line with 0:03 remaining. At Columbus, he recorded his fifth 100-yard and 200 all-purpose yard game of the season with a team-best 142 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches along with 62 yards on four kickoff returns for a total of 204 all-purpose yards and added 2.5 tackles on defense. At Philadelphia, Pettis was named Ironman of the Game, and of the Week after recording his sixth 200 all-purpose yard game with a team-high nine catches for a single-game career-best 191 yards and four touchdowns. He also added a three-yard rush for a touchdown, returned one kickoff 27 yards and posted three tackles and an interception. Pettis was named Ironman of the game against the New Orleans VooDoo with his third consecutive, seventh of the season, 200-yard outing with 123 receiving yards, with two touchdowns on a team-high 11 catches, and 145 kickoff return yards, on seven returns, and added four tackles. He was named Ironman of the Game against the New York Dragons, with a team-best eight catches for a team-high 90 yards with two touchdowns and added a tackle, a fumble recovery and an interception on defense. His work allowed the defense to force five turnovers while giving up the lowest yardage total (138) and second lowest point total (13) in franchise history. At Colorado, Pettis was named Ironman of the Game with four total touchdowns, three receiving and one kickoff return, catching six passes for 47 yards and returning just one kick 40 yards. He also added a team-high tying five tackles along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. In the Divisional Playoff Game against Columbus, Pettis was named Ironman of the Game after leading Dallas with eight catches for 69 yards and a touchdown, along with five kickoff returns for 93 yards and four tackles with three pass breakups, including an interception, on defense. He left the game in the beginning of the fourth quarter with back spasms.

2008

In a week one win over the Georgia Force, Pettis, started on offense (scoring one touchdown) and combing with Marcus Nash for 14 receptions and five touchdowns, and handled kickoff returns but did not start at defensive back. Veteran newcomers Johnnie Harris and DaShane Dennis lined up with Jermaine Jones in the secondary. [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=6C339E73-AC1C-76E8-4007AD2155FA8A41 Bittersweet Start] ] In a week two win over the Columbus Destroyers, he combined with fellow receiver Anthony Armstrong for 69 yards and one touchdown. [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=8D0BA549-B799-2D77-BF760AC6CE62594F Home Cookin'] ] During the Desperardos week three win over the Colorado Crush, he recorded 12 catches for 138 yards, four touchdown receptions, and one interception. [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=C0282C60-A539-7E94-07251304A580BC02 Beating the Odds] ] In a week four win at the San Jose SaberCats, Pettis had two receptions for 44 yards, however he later left the game, late in the second quarter, with a concussion, after a helmet-to-helmet hit with San Jose defensive back Marquis Floyd. [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=DA73633F-ED8B-B955-4AC00C7A76701FAA Clamping Down on Colorado] ] In week five, Pettis recorded nine receptions for 102 yards, and one touchdown. During week six, he recorded three receptions for 29 yards, and no touchdowns. In week seven, Pettis scored, a team record tying, six touchdowns. [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=461FCF5C-0476-24F0-886E32C8FE0D234D Still Perfect Mark Norris DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer April 12, 2008 11:49 PM] ] During week nine, the Desperados first loss of the season, he recorded 10 receptions for 133 yards, and two touchdowns. Pettis also added one tackle. [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=985823F9-A7D1-A1B6-1282078C6467C76F No Show by Nick Eatman DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer] ] In the week 10 win at the Columbus Destroyers, Pettis recorded eight receptions for 98 yards, and three touchdowns. He also added two tackles. [ [http://lb.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=B1F9509A-E14A-155F-429B61880E6A037A Back on Track Rob Phillips DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer May3, 2008] ] In the Desperados week 11 win over the Grand Rapids Rampage, Pettis recorded nine receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded two solo tackles. [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=D66501A6-DFE9-52F8-81881BE48DC3CC1F Mr. Milestone by Mark NorrisDallasCowboys.com Staff Writer May 11, 2008] ] Pettis missed week 12 against the Arizona Rattlers due to an injuried hip flexor. [ [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=FA84C697-9022-F613-5B02BBED14AF6995 Buzzer Beater by Rob Phillips DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer May 18, 2008] ] In week 13 in Orlando, Pettis retrurned from his injury and recorded five receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown. During the Desperados week 14 road game against the Cleveland Gladiators, he recorded 13 receptions for 118 yards and four touchdowns. In the week 15 loss, Pettis left the game before half time after suffering his second concussion of the season. [ [http://lb.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=6697789D-D7AA-A98F-FE4992E33A1218A6 Out of Their Hands by Rob Phillips DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer June 8, 2008] ] Before he was injuried, Pettis recorded four receptions for 43 yards and one touchdown. Pettis missed week 16 against the New York Dragons with a concussion suffered the previous week. [ [http://lb.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=8A9A19F5-BE81-67AD-F4463CE121D64D58 Close Call by Mark Norris DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer June 14, 2008] ] Pettis along with fullback / Linebacker Josh Bush, missed the season finale against the Chicago Rush with a concussion suffered two weeks prior. [ [http://lb.dallasdesperados.com/news.cfm?id=B3351C6D-C2D0-5E33-EA1264B3F3108A69 Flat Finish by Nick Eatman Dallas Cowboys.com Staff Writer June 22, 2008] ]

Career statistics

Charitable work

Since starting his career in Dallas, Pettis has become a visible face in the Dallas-Fort Worth community. He is an annual supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas through the Desperados Impact Player Program. Several times a season, Pettis can be found playing basketball, video games or pool with at-risk youth served by the clubs across the Metroplex. Pettis has twice served as a celebrity guest coach at the Dallas Cowboys Let Us Play! Sports Camp for Girls - a three-day sports camp for inner-city girls served by charitable organizations like The Salvation Army, West Dallas Community Centers and Girls, Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas. During the holiday season, Pettis participates in The Salvation Army Angel Tree program, where he adopts ‘angels’ which represent underprivileged children and purchases gifts for them during the holidays. Pettis signed autographs at the American Cancer Society’s Smoke Out event.

Personal

Pettis lives with his wife, Akiah, and their children, Heaven Leigh, Gabriella, and William.

References

* [http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=55C05723-FC6B-D7DB-A888CDBEFF75570D "Desperados Could Provide Hidden NFL Gems" by Nick Eatman DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer]
* [http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=19831&SPID=1551&ATCLID=1413645&DB_OEM_ID=3500 OFF THE NET...with Will Pettis]
* [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/team_schedule.cfm 2008 Dallas Desperados Schedule]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.dallasdesperados.com/team_pettis_will.cfm Desperados bio]
* [http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3419 Profile at ArenaFan.com]