LINCOLN -- With three interceptions during the Central Football League Americans, 41-6, bowl game win over the Nationals on June 14, former Razorback Jason Campbell set a new record.
He now has the most picks in minor league football with 111 surpassing the previous career best of 110 set by Mark Arcure, of the Scranton, Penn. Eagles, from 1983 to 1996.
In 10 previous seasons, Campbell, who has played the past three years for NWA Battle at Lincoln, never had fewer than 9 interceptions with a career high of 14 as a member of the Arkansas War Cats in 2009. He had 12 in 2005 and 11 in 2006 for the Benton County Saints and hit double figures in the INT column again in 2011 with the Arkansas Warriors. In 2012, he played in both the spring (Arkansas Warriors, 9 interceptions) and fall (NWA Battle, 9 interceptions) with all 18 picks counting towards his career total but for most of this season things looked as if Campbell might have to play one more year to become the All-time record-holder.
After winning five straight games this season the Battle dropped to 6-3 with a 34-0 loss to Enid, Okla. on May 3 and another tough loss, 40-8, to number-one ranked and eventual CFL champion Joplin Crusaders on May 10. The Battle received a forfeit win on May 17 vs the Arkansas Ducks to register their first winning season in the team's three year history.
The forfeit didn't help Campbell, who knew he was closing in on the mark. The Battle then lost 10-0 to the Arkansas Guardians in the opening round of the CFL playoffs on May 31 as Campbell recorded his 108th career interception against the Guardians. While the loss eliminated the Battle from the CFL playoffs, Campbell knew he might get another chance in a post-season All-Star game and was prepared as he traveled to Joplin, Mo. to join the CFL Americans.
The Americans won decisively, 41-6, sparked by Campbell's three interceptions which pushed him alone into first place with 111 career passes picked off in minor league football.
Campbell also leads or is ranked in several other minor league record categories. He is No. 1 in seasons as league interception leader with 10 thru 2014 and yards returned career with 1,658 yds, No. 2 in career [interception runbacks for] touchdowns with 12 touchdowns and No. 3 in [interception] yards returned in a season with 418 in 2013.
Sports on 07/23/2014