STEVENSVILLE, Md. — Try doing something 100 consecutive times.
Anything.
It’s not easy.
But when you accomplish it:
“It feels great to be honest with you,” said Baltimore Brigade wide receiver Joe Hills.
Hills' feeling great in the end zone, that’s second nature.
“It just comes with hard work, dedication, preparation that me and my teammates put in,” Hills said.
He set an Arena Football League record with 100 straight games with a touchdown. He hit the century mark on Saturday in a win at Columbus.
“It felt great. My teammates came out and celebrated with me. I definitely kept the ball. I know the wife wants the ball. It felt great. It was just the weight was off my shoulder,” he said.
It’s a streak the 31-year-old receiver started way back in 2012 when he played for Tampa Bay. The old AFL record was 78 straight games.
“It was so long ago I really don’t even remember. But, it’s definitely an accomplishment that I’m proud of,” said Hills.
“100 games in a row, let alone play, is that much more amazing when you are playing 100 games and producing,” said Brigade quarterback Shane Boyd.
Boyd threw Hills the historic TD. He was also a teammate of Hills’ in Tampa.
“You saw it in him. He was somebody who wanted to work. He was somebody who always wanted to get better,” said Boyd. “So, that’s the majority of the battle. But, then you see his physique. You see the way he runs routes. You see the way he catches the ball. This is not really surprising.”
“First off, he’s 6-foot-5, 200-something pounds. He has great hands. He has quickness like a little guy. That and in addition to his work ethic and him working on his game is the reason he is able to accomplish such a feat,” added Brigade Head Coach Omarr Smith.
Next up for Hills and the Brigade is a 2018 Arena Bowl rematch Thursday at rival Washington. It’s a safe bet his streak hits 101.
“I don’t like to guarantee anything, but if I get my opportunity I’m definitely going to capitalize on it,” said Hills.
“I think he wants to continue the streak, and I would say I wouldn’t want to be the quarterback that stops that streak,” said Boyd. “So, we plan on keeping that thing going.”
Kickoff Thursday between the Brigade (5-3) and Valor (4-4) is set for 7:00 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
