Washington, DC – Earlier this week, the Women’s Football Alliance announced their 2014 All-American selections, and ten members of the D.C. Divas were chosen as WFA All-Americans for their performances in the 2014 season. Seven Divas were recognized as first team All-Americans and three Divas made the second team. It is the first time the Divas have had ten All-Americans, including seven on the first team, since the 2007 season.
The seven D.C. Divas recognized as 2014 WFA first team All-Americans are:
Jennifer Gray (OL) – Gray, the Divas’ starting right tackle, is the Divas’ only offensive line representative on the 2014 All-American team. Gray is a third-year member of the Divas and is a powerful blocker on the line. This is the first All-American selection of her career.
Kenyetta Grigsby (RB) – The spectacular Grigsby earned her fifth straight first team All-American selection with the Divas in 2014. One of the most dependable running backs in the sport, Grigsby is averaging over 100 rushing yards a game and has scored a touchdown on the ground in all but one contest this season.
Eleni Kotsis (DB) – Last season, Kotsis became the first Divas defensive back to earn first team All-American honors since Vickie Lucas in 2007. Kotsis repeated the feat in 2014, receiving first team All-American honors for the second straight season. Kotsis led the Divas in tackles against Atlanta and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff for a touchdown against Chicago.
Cherre Marshall (LB) – Marshall garnered the first All-American honors of her seven-year career with the Divas in 2014, and it is an honor well-deserved. Marshall led Divas in tackles in two games this season (Boston and Chicago) and has recorded a tackle for loss in every game in 2014.
D’Ajah Scott (DB/RB) – Scott is an electrifying two-way player and one of the few members of the Divas to play on offense, defense, and special teams. A shutdown defensive back and a running back on offense, Scott earned WFA Player of the Week honors by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns against Boston in Week 1. Her versatility was most clearly on display against Columbus, when she placed third on the team with four tackles defensively (including a tackle for loss with an interception), while gaining 53 rushing yards and a touchdown on offense.
Ashley Whisonant (WR) – Whisonant, a dynamic wide receiver, has expanded her offensive game this season by taking occasional snaps under center as the quarterback of the Divas’ Wildcat offensive package. Whisonant has scored touchdowns three ways this season – rushing, receiving, and by kickoff return. This is her third straight first team All-American selection.
Kentrina Wilson (WR) – Wilson has taken the WFA by storm in her first season in a Divas uniform, making several spectacular catches. Despite playing in only five contests, Wilson has nine receiving touchdowns so far this season, a mark which currently leads the WFA. She received WFA Player of the Week honors in Week 4 after her performance against Columbus (seven receptions for 169 yards and three touchdowns).
The Divas also had three players recognized as second team All-Americans in 2014:
Desiree Abrams (DL) – Abrams made history just by playing her second season with the Divas. After first suiting up for the team in 2007, Abrams returned to the Divas in 2014 following a seven-year absence; her seven years away was the longest absence by any Divas player before returning to active membership. Yet Abrams has shown a knack for making big plays this season on defense, recording five tackles for loss in 2014 and recovering a fumble against Boston.
Trigger McNair (LB) – The timeless McNair earned second team All-American honors in her 16th season playing women’s football, and she is still one of the most feared defenders in the game. McNair recorded nine tackles against Columbus, the most by any Diva in a single game this season, and she terrorized Atlanta with six tackles (including four tackles for loss and a sack) to go along with a safety.
Jimmien Strong (DL) – Strong received her first All-American recognition since joining the Divas six years ago. Strong led the Divas in tackles for loss in 2013 with 5.5, and despite playing in only five games this season, she has improved on that statistic by recording 6.5 tackles for loss so far in 2014.