By Danny Burnham
WIFLfan.com

COLUMBUS, Ga. --  On Friday night,in the final game of his career,Barry Wagner had four catches for 43 yards as a receiver, and two tackles as a defensive back andlinebacker for the Daytona Beach Thunder of the World Indoor Football League. 

A game that the Thunder won 52-40.

It wasn't the most impressive stat line of his 15-year football career, but it's indicative of the type of  football player that he was: An Ironman.

Wagner's road to greatness began at Division I-AA Alabama A&M, where in one game against ClarkAtlanta, he caught 23 passes for 370 yards and five touchdowns.

In his four years at the school, he shattered many of NFL legend John Stallworth's records.

After his senior season at A&M, he attended a tryout with representatives from every arena football team, but went unsigned. 

Carl Aikens of the Orlando Predators spotted him playing semi-pro football in Pittsburgh and convinced his team to give Wagner a shot.

Wagner made the most of the opportunity earning the starting receiver/defensive back spot, and in his first season he earned the AFL's "Ironman" award for the player who contributed the most on both sides of the ball.

He received the award five consecutive times after that.

In 1998 he was denied his seventh consecutive Ironman award for the season, but was named  Ironman of Arena Bowl 12 as a member of the Predators.

In the final minute of one game with the Preds, Wagner scored two touchdowns, two, two-point  conversions, recovered an onside kick, and made a key defensive stop. 

The sequence became known as "The Miracle Minute."

There is not enough space here to list all of his accomplishments, but here are a few.

* He rolled up over 21,500 all purpose yards in his career, to go along with 413 touchdowns. To  put that into perspective, NFL great Jerry Rice amassed 22,895 all purpose yards in his career  on a field twice as big.

* Was named the AFL's MVP twice, Ironman of the year six total times, and he played in six Arena Bowl championship games, winning three of them.

*He holds AFL league records for total points, touchdowns scored, rushing touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards, to go along with over 800 tackles and 47 interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.

"It's just time." Wagner said before his final game. "My mom's been worrying about me for a long time now, I'm going to give her a break." 

"He's a legend." Thunder Quarterback Bo Bartik stated. "It's been a blessing to play with Barry,and I've learned a lot from him. I hate to see him go, but I'm glad we were able to send him out with a win."

Thunder coach Leon Bright said."He's had a long career, and he's done well for himself. Playing with him has been a great opportunity for these kids.He has been able to point a lot of young players in the right direction." 

Wagner was signed by the Thunder after being released from the Tampa Bay Storm on March 28.

He also spent two season in the NFL. In 1992 he was with the Chicago Bears where he played in every game on special teams, and spent the '94 season as a member of the Indianapolis  Colts practice squad.

Now that his playing days are over, Wagner plans to pursue a career in coaching. 

"I have a football camp in July in Alabama, I love working with kids, and coaching is something  I've wanted to do for a long time. I'll be getting myresume out there very soon."

About the end his playing career, he said "All good things must come to an end."

In Wagner’s case, good is a gross understatement.