The Lions sign Ryan Gates as kicker for the 2022 season

The Lions have found a placekicker for the 2022 NAL season and it is a name fans will remember from the 2021 season. Ryan Gates, the placekicker who joined the Lions before their second game in 2021 is returning to Columbus for the 2022 season. 

Gates joined the team in 2021 after Jed Solomon went 0-for-2 on extra points in the season opener. Gates appeared in three games for the Lions, going perfect on seven extra points and two field goal attempts in his debut against the Orlando Predators.

His second game saw his first miss of the season on an extra point but he still made five of his six attempts as the Lions defeated the Jersey Flight 50-14. Gates’ season took a turn in the following week when he was injured and later put on injured reserve, ending his season after only three games. The Lions then went to Tristan Reynolds as their third and final kicker of the 2021 season with Reynolds holding the job until the end of the season.

While the new NAL Ironman rules have changed the roles for a number of returning players, teams are allowed to designate one player as a special teams-only player and that designation will likely be reserved for kickers.

The NAL released an official set of rules earlier this month and that article can be found here.

Season tickets are already available for the 2022 season and they can be found here. 

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS LIONS

The Columbus Lions are members of the National Arena League (NAL). Founded in 2007, the Columbus Lions are starting their 15th season in 2021. The Lions are a 3x league champion and 13 playoff appearances in their rich history. The Lions play their home games at Hughston Field in the Columbus Civic Center. Lions Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now call (706) 322-3336 or visit columbuslions.com. Follow the Lions on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lionsfootball/, twitter @columbuslions and instagram.com/Columbuslions.

ABOUT NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE

The National Arena League was founded in 2016 and hosted its inaugural season in 2017 as the premier league in arena football. The National Arena League will kick off its fifth season in 2021. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at chris@nationalarenaleague.com For more information about the NAL visit www.nationalarenaleague.com, facebook.com/nationalarenaleauge, twitter.com/NALfootball, Instagram.com/nationalarenaleague.