Sykes becomes AFL’s all-time sack leader
ALBANY — Joe Sykes’ half sack last weekend in Washington DC made him the all-time career sack leader in the Arena Football League.
Prior to the June 29 game against the Washington Valor, Sykes was tied with AFL Hall of Famer Sam Hernandez at 60.5 sacks before recording his sack midway through the second quarter. At 35 years of age, Sykes leads the league this season with 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
“He’s the greatest to ever do it and still hasn’t even lost a step,” said Rob Keefe, head coach of the Albany Empire. “He is a leader both on and off the field and is always teaching. Joe continues to be a student of the game and prepares like no other. We expect to see many more sacks from Sykes while wearing an Empire uniform for years to come.”
Sykes began his professional career in the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins.
After a brief stint in the NFL, Sykes debuted his talents in the indoor game at the AF2 level with the Green Bay Blizzard in 2008. As a member of the Blizzard, Sykes took the league by storm, racking up an impressive 22 sacks and eight forced fumbles in earning himself AF2’s Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year.
His play on the field drew some attraction from the CFL as Sykes made the transition back to the outdoor game where he played with the Saskatchewan Roughriders a year later.
In 2010, Sykes moved back to indoor football and made his debut in the AFL with the Milwaukee Iron where he tallied up five total tackles and one fumble recovery in limited action.
After spending 2011 with the Edmonton Eskimos, Sykes came back to the AFL where he played for the San Jose SaberCats in 2012. Sykes broke through that year on his way to setting the AFL record for most sacks in a single season with 16.5.
“There is a lot of pressure on the defense in an offense-heavy game,” said Sykes. “I just try to block all that out and play ball. Success on defense is all about being patient and preparing. I am always studying quarterbacks and learning when to use my best moves to get to them.”
After a year in San Jose, Sykes moved to the San Antonio Talons where he shined once again, piling up 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception. In 2014, Sykes bounced around between the AFL and CFL before landing in Jacksonville in 2015.
Sykes’ year-long stint with the Sharks, led by coach Les Moss, was the best statistical year of his career.
During his time in Jacksonville, Sykes broke his own record for most sacks in a single season with 18.5 and added eight forced fumbles on his way to being named Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive Lineman of the Year and First Team All-Arena.
His performance with the Sharks jumped him up to third all-time on the AFL’s list of career sack leaders.
“I never focused on setting a record, I just love to play,” Sykes said. “Personal accolades are great, but it’s more so about a championship. I want to be Albany’s next great Arena Football Player while bringing a championship back to the city.”
