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Warren’s Phinisee part of U.S. contingent in China
Mission overseas:
Warren
native part of U.S.
contingent
in China
By MIKE McLAIN
Some men travel long distances to continue their love of football.
Joe Phinisee, a 2004 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, is willing to fly halfway around the world to bring arena football to China. Phinisee isn’t looking forward to the lengthy flight, and he knows his ability to communicate will be limited to simple phrases, but he’s anxious to embrace the dual role of player/instructor and help introduce football to a country where table tennis and badminton are among the national sports.
Phinisee, the career leading tackler for the Cleveland Gladiators, is one of several Arena Football League players who will spend a little more than one month competing in the fledgling China Arena Football League (CAFL). He’ll line up as a defensive back for the Quindaq Clipper, who will compete in a five-game season that leads up to the CAFL championship game.
“I’m excited to be able to travel to the country and to learn their culture, and to be on their dime makes it a lot easier,” Phinisee said. “I’m very excited, especially being the first time ever they’ve had it in China.”
Each of the six teams in the CAFL will be comprised of half AFL and half Chinese players. The Chinese contingent has been to the United States in recent years to begin learning the game.
Phinisee, 30, perfectly fits the mold of mentor, not to mention being a quality player. The Gladiators didn’t include him on their training-camp roster prior to the start of last season, but it soon became apparent that his leadership and playing skills would be needed on a roster young in experience.
“His name always stayed at the top of the board because we knew that if our talent didn’t pan out, we thought we could bring him in and allow him to flourish at any position,” said Dominique Jones, defensive backs coach and a member of the Gladiators marketing and communication staff. “He can play three positions, and his leadership is unquestioned. You can’t put a value on that. We had the most rookies on our team of any in the AFL. To have Joe around to teach the guys helped lead us to the conference championship.”
Phinisee has the skills to play cornerback, safety and outside linebacker. As Jones said, his ability to communicate and lead others has been invaluable, which the Chinese players will soon discover.
“He’s one of those guys that you love to be around,” Jones said. “He’s the ultimate leader. That’s why he’s lasted so long. We call him Uncle Joe because he’s a veteran. It speaks to respect for him that he has on and off the field. He’s an even better father, which speaks volumes.”
Phinisee has started to learn a few phrases that will come in handy when dealing with the drastic change in culture. Not a big fan of Chinese food, Phinisee is comforted in knowing that American food will be served at the team hotel.
The important thing is what Phinisee and other players from the AFL do on the field. It’s the start of what is planned to be an all-Chinese league in five years.
“They’re starting to learn,” Phinisee said. “They’ve come here and have been coached in America. They’re now waiting for us. When we show up, we’ll be like veterans to show them techniques and how to play the game. They’re learning the basics right now.”
Phinisee’s education in football began when he played at Harding for ex-Raiders coach Thom McDaniels. He attended Walsh University, where he started three seasons and earned NAIA All-America honors.
Phinisee has been a defensive stalwart for the Gladiators since 2010. He has 453.5 career tackles, along with 13 recovered fumbles and 22 interceptions.
Based on his play last season, there’s been little drop-off in Phinisee’s production. In 17 games he had 63 tackles, five fumble recoveries and four interceptions. He scored five defensive touchdowns.
With other interests brewing in the business world, Phinisee might retire after the trip to China. No matter what decision he makes, the Gladiators will undoubtedly keep his number on speed dial.
“That’s a lot of football,” Jones said. “Sometimes guys are so worked out from a season that they end up retiring, but as the season approaches they’re revved up and ready to go.”
As Phinisee says, “I’m keeping my options open.”