Council first Titan tabbed for IFL Hall of Fame

CEDAR RAPIDS - While the Cedar Rapids Titans won't be competing for a championship in Saturday's United Bowl at Sioux Falls, S.D., they won't be lacking for representation.

Former Titans running back LaRon Council (2013-14) will be honored during the weekend festivities with induction into the second class of the Indoor Football League Hall of Fame.

'It means a lot,” Council said. 'It's a true blessing to know that my peers and some of the people that are at the head of this thing think so much of what I left on the field.”

Council, 28, grew up in Kansas City, Mo., and helped Division II Northwest Missouri State win the 2009 national championship. After his release following a 2010 NFL minicamp with the Minnesota Vikings, Council played one season in LaCrosse (Wis.) and another in Green Bay before finishing his IFL career with the Titans.

'It was the ultimate experience to play in Cedar Rapids,” Council said. 'The atmosphere, the fan support, it kind of made it feel like, ‘Wow, how could I not want to play for this organization?'”

A first team all-IFL member in three of his four seasons, Council is the league's all-time leading rusher with 2,987 yards. With Cedar Rapids, Council ran for 1,307 yards and accounted for 40 total touchdowns as a vital piece of the Titans' progression from 4-10 expansion team to perennial playoff participant.

'Just a consummate leader,” Cedar Rapids Coach Mark Stoute said. 'One of the hardest practicing players that we have had.”

Council retired after the 2014 season in order to pursue a career as a licensed actuary with an insurance company in Green Bay, Wis. He will be inducted - along with former Sioux Falls quarterback Chris Dixon and Green Bay's B.J. Hill - as the Sioux Falls Storm take on the Nebraska Danger seeking their fifth-consecutive IFL title.

While the Titans fell a game short of the United Bowl for the third consecutive season, defensive lineman Jermiah Price was named IFL Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles and recoveries. Defensive linemate Xzavie Jackson was named first team all-IFL for the third time as a Titan.

Cedar Rapids receiver Bryan Pray (offense), kick returner Demetruce McNeal and kicker Rockne Belmonte (special teams) were listed on the all-IFL second team.

Council remains close to his former Cedar Rapids teammates and attends games when his schedule permits.

'You build relationships in that league and they just don't stop when you stop playing football,” Council said. 'I've built some relationships in the last four years that will probably last a lifetime.”

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com