Islanders' 'Iron Man' vows return to team
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
From Day 1, Hawaiian Islanders lineman Andy Ramos took the Arena Football League's slogan of being an "Iron Man" sport to heart.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
He started the first game in franchise history March 30, 2002, and continued to do so through last week for a string of 44 consecutive games played. He also never missed a practice until earlier this week.
Andy Ramos played in 44 consecutive games for the Islanders before injuring his knee. Ramos said he's expected to miss 3 to 4 weeks.
But the percentages of getting injured playing a hard-hitting game finally caught up to Ramos, 29, in last week's victory over Central Valley. Ramos tore the meniscus and sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee late in the first quarter.
He was placed on the long-term injured list yesterday, meaning he'll miss four weeks.
"I got cut from the backside," said Ramos, who plays center on offense and nose guard on defense. "I still continued to play, but I realized I couldn't handle when we had to cover the field goal and I had my man, he got past me and I couldn't catch up with him."
He said he stayed in the game several minutes before deciding to come out.
"What kept me in the game was my pride," Ramos said. "I didn't want to go down that easy. I didn't want to stay in and jeopardize anything else by missing a block, getting anybody else hurt and putting someone else in jeopardy."
Who: San Diego Riptide (4-5) vs. Hawaiian Islanders (6-4) Where: Blaisdell Arena When: 6:30 p.m. tomorrow Admission: $25 lower bowl (reserved); $15 upper bowl sidelines (reserved); $10 upper bowl end zones (general); $7 youths. Parking is $5. Radio: Live on 1500AM Promotions: Family FANFest from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in Blaisdell parking lot. Free. Discounted tickets: Show GEICO insurance card and receive 50 percent off general admission; Times Royal Card members, Oceanic Kupa'a cardholders receive $2 off; Hawai'i Speed & Quickness Camp participants receive free admission to an Islanders home game with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket.
An MRI on Tuesday revealed the extent of Ramos' injury and he said doctors will scope his knee.
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"In three weeks' time, four weeks' time I should be back," Ramos said. "Maybe I'll miss two, three games but I'll be back after that."
His skills, durability and reliability will be missed starting tomorrow night when the Islanders (6-4) host the San Diego Riptide (4-5) at Blaisdell Arena. Kickoff for the arenafootball2 West Division game is set for 6:30.
"It shows how durable he has been for the last three years," Islanders head coach Cal Lee said. "It's going to be a little different not seeing him out there because he's so valuable not only as a player, but a leader as well."
Ramos, who is 6 feet 3 and 330 pounds, said he'll miss being on the field with his teammates more than the streak.
"The streak doesn't mean that much to me," said Ramos, who played in 16 games in 2002, 18 last season and the first 10 this season. "My teammates mean the most to me. Just being there for them, helping them out as far as game-to-game camaraderie."
Transactions: The Islanders activated lineman Joe Siofele, a former Saint Louis School and University of Arizona standout, and defensive specialist Muagututia Halakilangi, who played in nine games this season with Central Valley before being released. Defensive specialist Desmond Maul was deactivated.
Standings: The Bakersfield Blitz (6-4) and Hawaiian Islanders (6-4) are tied for the West Division lead, followed by the San Diego Riptide (4-5) and Central Valley Coyotes (1-9).
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.
