April 28, 2003

FURMAN'S STEVEN CAIN SIGNS FREE AGENT
CONTRACT WITH ATLANTA FALCONS

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman Paladins offensive tackle Steven Cain has signed a free agent contract with the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons, it was announced today.

"We couldn't be happier for Steven in his signing with the Atlanta Falcons," said Furman head coach Bobby Lamb. "He is a player with solid ability who worked very hard to develop his talent and put himself in position to play professionally. You have to admire that and also the fact that he already has his degree. It's also exciting to know we'll be able to keep an eye on him when the Falcons come here for preseason camp in July."

Cain, a 6-foot-5, 307-pound product of Anderson's Westside High School, was a two-year starter and consensus first team All-Southern Conference selection this past year at his right tackle slot. He helped pace Furman to an 8-4 record, NCAA I-AA playoff appearance and No. 9 final national ranking in 2002. As a junior he started in all 15 games on the Paladins' 13-2, NCAA I-AA national runnerup squad. In his two seasons as a regular in the lineup, the Paladins produced the conference's leading rusher (Louis Ivory, 2001) and established a number of school passing records (2002).

He will take part in the Falcons' mini-camp in Atlanta beginning this Thursday.

In inking the free agent deal with Atlanta, Cain becomes the seventh Paladin since 1999 to sign a contract with NFL teams. Others include LB Orlando Ruff '99 (San Diego Chargers/FA), DB John Keith '00 (San Francisco 49ers/Drafted 4th Round), WR Des Kitchings '00 (Kansas City Chiefs/Drafted 7th Round), OT Josh Moore '01 (Philadelphia Eagles/FA), LB Will Bouton '02 (Pittsburgh Steelers/FA), and TE Trent Sansbury '02 (Cincinnati Bengals/FA).