[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen retirement tribute: Craig McCorkle
The Maassluis Merchantmen today learned that former linebacker Craig McCorkle retired from football after 13 seasons in the IHOF. A first round pick for the Merchantmen in the 2079 draft, McCorkle jumped in with the third linebacker role as a rookie and became the full time starting middle linebacker from his second season and onwards, teaming up with 2077 first round pick Glenn Brewer and for his first three season also with 2073 first round pick Antonio Battle. After the departure of Battle in the 2081 off-season, McCorkle grew into being the top linebacker on the team, in 2081 and 2085 resulting in All-IHOF First Team honors from Solecismic. After an All-IHOF Second team season in 2087, the 2088 saw McCorkle's (and Brewer's) departure from Maassluis as the Merchantmen were stuck in salary cap troubles. McCorkle was traded to the Arizona Miners for a future fourth round draft pick after 143 regular season and 9 playoffs games of service. McCorkle spent 3 seasons in Arizona, having a leading role on their defense in 2089 when a 12-season drought ended as they went into the playoffs as a 9-7 wild card team. In 2091 he signed with the Fairbanks Northstars for one final season, where he made exactly 100 tackles in the regular season, marking his 8th season accomplishing that. For the orange-white-and-blue he made 940 tackles (10th all-time), 25.0 sacks, 16 interceptions, 99 passes defended (9th all-time) and forced 21 fumbles (tied 9th all-time).