Albany Empire Strike Back, Sign Legendary Wide Receiver

Records broken. Defenders left in the rearview mirror. Championships won. That was the legacy of Malachi Jones with the Albany Empire in 2018 and 2019.

Now, nearly two years after ArenaBowl XXXII, he’s back to do it again.

Earlier this morning, in an interview with our friends on Brian & Chrissy in the Morning on WGNA, Albany Empire head coach Tom Menas confirmed that Jones would be signing with the NAL’s Albany Empire for the remainder of the 2021 season. Jones may return to the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes at the conclusion of the season, where he signed a two-year contract back in 2020.

That will happen after, however, Jones joins Tommy Grady, Darius Prince and the stacked Empire offense in their pursuit of an NAL title.

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You can listen to Brian & Chrissy's conversation with head coach Tom Menas above. Here’s a portion of the player bio released by the Empire:

Malachi Jones has signed to finish the 2021 season with the Albany Empire, this is Jones' 3rd stint with the Empire.  After a standout career at Appalachian State where he started 35 games, Malachi was signed by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, after being released he signed on with the High County Grizzlies of the NAL for the 2017 Season where he was named NAL Offensive Rookie of the Year.” - Albany Empire

Jones had a dominant two seasons with the AFL’s Albany Empire from 2018 to 2018. He won the aforementioned Rookie of the Year Award in addition to the Wide Receiver of the Year Award, the only rookie in the history of the league to do so. All told, he racked up nearly 2,600 receiving yards over those seasons, and hauled in 54 touchdowns, adding another six rushing scores.

Outside of the Empire, Jones was a member of the Southern Conference’s All-Freshman team in 2012 with Appalachian State University, and has spent time with the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans organizations.

The Empire, meanwhile, begin a two-week Florida road trip this Saturday, when they play the Orlando Predators at 7PM. They visit the Jacksonville Sharks on June 26^th, also at 7PM, before returning to the Times Union Center on July 17^th for a game against the Jersey Flight at 7PM. Visit https://www.albanyempirenal.com/tickets to get yours today!