THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 15, 1995 TAG: 9509130154
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 157 lines
``JIMBO'' KITTS IS a Firebird. Before that he was a Panther and before that a Wildcat.
James Matthew Kitts, known since day one as ``Jimbo,'' played football, basketball and baseball as a Great Bridge High School Wildcat. After he graduated in 1990, he moved on to trounce the gridiron as a Ferrum College Panther. Now he plays arena football as an Albany Firebird.
``I knew when I played my last college game that I still wanted to play more football,'' said Kitts.
The former 180-pound Wildcat, now 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, wears jersey number 32 and an orange-and-black uniform when he charges onto the field. He calls Knickerbocker Stadium in Albany, N.Y., home territory.
Four teams composed the Arena Football League when it was founded in 1987. In 1990 a U.S. patent was issued to Jim F. Foster, the founder and first commissioner of the arena football game system. It is the only sports league in history to have a patented game.
Sixteen teams will participate in the inside sport for touchdowns and field goals on Astroturf in 1996. The season runs from April to September.
``Arena football is as much like the NFL (National Football League) as it is different,'' said Kitts.
Inside Tampa's Florida Suncoast Dome or Detroit's Joe Lewis Arena or Knickerbocker Stadium, the field is 50 yards long and 25 yards wide, as it is in all arena football. Unlike the NFL, which fields 11 men on each team, arena football teams have only eight.
In a field goal attempt, the kicker must send the ball through a more narrow goal post opening than the NFL. The crowds are protected by large nets located behind the goal posts. If the ball bounces off the net, it is still a live ball and the action continues.
``But there is one major difference to me,'' said Kitts. ``Every player must play both offense and defense positions.''
In Albany, Kitts charged, defended, intercepted and scored against teams like the Dallas Texans, the Denver Dynamite, the Detroit Drive and the Cleveland Thunderbolts. He met the New Orleans Night team on the field at the Louisiana Superdome and tackled the Arizona Rattlers in Phoenix. In other games the Firebirds clashed with the Charlotte Rage, the Miami Hooters, the Orlando Predators and were defeated in the playoffs by the Tampa Bay Storm.
According to his parents, James M. and Mariane H. Kitts of Chesapeake, their son's athletic ability started many years before the Great Bridge or Knickerbocker stadiums.
``He never crawled,'' said Mariane Kitts. ``He just ran.''
``Jimbo could ride a two-wheel bicycle before he was 3 years old,'' said his father. ``He had fun every sport he played, but he also took each practice and every game seriously.''
There was tiny-tot soccer and more than 10 years of Indian River Recreation League baseball and football. When he played baseball in the Mustang Division, his all-star team went to the Little League World Series in Puerto Rico.
In high school, Kitts played baseball, basketball and football. His junior year in baseball he earned the ``most valuable player'' award as the leading hitter.
But Jimbo wasn't the only Kitts on the field. Megan, his younger sister, competed in gymnastics and played softball. Jack, his younger brother, also played baseball.
``For years we never had a mealtime at home,'' said their mother. ``We have registered endless miles and incredible hours sitting on bleachers. We've packed coffee, Cokes, blankets, sunscreen, cushions and pillows as we watched throughout the seasons.''
``Jimbo was the team jokester,'' said Doug Whitaker, a former Great Bridge High School coach. ``But he always took workouts, practices and games very intensely.''
Whitaker once took Kitts and several teammates to a tough West Virginia football camp.
``His vertical leaps and his speed amazed us then,'' Whitaker said. ``Last fall we were working out in a local gym and he still impressed me as a fun guy but a serious athlete. I've watched his game tapes, which show he's still demanding of himself. He's a terrific outside linebacker. He catches the ball, and he's got great speed.''
As a freshman at Ferrum College, he started as a linebacker and a strong safety. Kitts teamed up with Marty Asprey, a former Deep Creek Hornet football opponent, to become workout partners, team players and good friends.
``I was so homesick I almost went home several times,'' said Kitts.
By his junior year his degree in social work and criminal justice was under way. He had a summer job with the Chesapeake Sheriff's Department and continued to work out.
The NFL was interested. But although he was an All-America player his senior year, a knee injury sidelined him for several games. The Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles quit calling.
After graduation, Kitts was hired as a Chesapeake sheriff's deputy but he didn't give up on football. He went to the Canadian Football League tryout camp, contacted an agent and talked to the coaches. But nothing happened.
``I was impressed with his determination and commitment. All he wanted was the opportunity,'' said his father. ``Finally I told him it was just up to us.''
One weekend last April, they worked on a stat sheet, a cover letter and a video of college game highlights. They faxed information from North to South and from coast to coast.
Albany and Tampa Bay called on Tuesday and requested the video. By noon on Wednesday, Kitts had an invitation to Albany's training camp. Friday morning his family and friends gathered to cheer him as he left for his big opportunity.
On Monday when Kitts arrived at tryouts his name was the last one on the list. He ran, sacked and bench pressed 225 pounds as part of his tests.
``It was tough physically,'' said Kitts. ``But it was even tougher mentally.''
Kitts said he did not play exceptionally well in an exhibition game against Orlando but the following week in San Jose the fullback/linebacker did better.
``I think it was my attitude,'' said Kitts. ``I realized that it may be the last chance to play and I decided to just have fun.''
The next day he made the team as the youngest Firebird. His parents checked the season's schedule and invited friends and family to join them on the nine-hour trek to Albany to see the games.
By the fifth game of the season, 13,600 stadium fans knew Kitts as he made the starting line up of every game.
Against the Connecticut Coyotes, Kitts raced into the Firebirds' spotlight as he dashed 35 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Later he lowered his head, tucked the ball away and charged to score two more touchdowns. Kitts was the game ``Most Valuable Player'' for his first televised performance which was was broadcast by ESPN2 television.
By July, Kitts was named a team captain, dubbed ``Ironman'' for the second time and had racked up 17 tackles, eight assists and three sacks.
The ``Ironman'' title is awarded to the player who excels as both a defensive and offensive player. At the end of the season, Kitts was elected by the team as the ``Ironman of the Year''.
But according to Kitts, the crowd of adults and kids who wait for his autograph are one of the most thrilling events.
``I sign every piece of paper, shirt or cap, too.'' said Kitts. ``It wasn't that long ago that I waited for a signature. I remember the feeling.''
His parents, his girlfriend Jennifer Stowe, friends Marty Asprey and Doug Whitaker, and aunts, uncles, cousins and friends have become arena football fans.
``Arena football is phenomenal,'' said Mariane. ``Every game is sold out. It's a show with loud music, fireworks, vendors and spotlights. There are theme songs, fight songs and even huddle music. And of course, there's Jimbo.''
Later this month there's a trip to Spain for even more arena football. The Albany Firebirds take on the Iowa Barnstormers in two exhibition games in Barcelona. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
In Albany, Kitts charged, defended, intercepted and scored against
teams like the Dallas Texans, the Denver Dynamite, the Detroit Drive
or the Cleveland Thunderbolts.
Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
``Jimbo'' Kitts, 22, relaxes at home in Great Bridge.
``Jimbo'' Kitts signs an autograph for a young fan of arena
football.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY FOOTBALL by CNB