Arizona Rattlers
| Arizona Rattlers | |
|---|---|
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| Founded | 1992 |
| Current season | 2013 Arizona Rattlers season |
| League | Arena Football League (1992–present) |
| Conference | National |
| Division | Western |
| Team history | Arizona Rattlers (1992–present) |
| Arena | US Airways Center 1992–present |
| Based in | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Team colors |
Black, Copper, Teal |
| Owner(s) | Ron Shurts |
| President | Joe Windham |
| Head coach | Kevin Guy |
| Championships | 3 (AFL: 1994, 1997, 2012) |
| Division titles | 7: (AFL: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2011, 2012) |
| Dancers | Sidewinders |
| Mascot | Fang and Stryker |
| Website | http://www.azrattlers.com/ |
The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League (AFL) and are the current league champions. The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center. The Rattlers are led by arena football Hall of Fame Head Coach Kevin Guy.
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History[edit]
The Arizona Rattlers are part of the Arena Football League (AFL) and compete in the Western Division of the National Conference. Since the team's establishment in 1992, the Rattlers have won seven division titles and have played in seven ArenaBowl Championship games, winning championships in 1994, 1997, and 2012.
In early years, the Rattlers played their home games at America West Arena, which they shared with the Phoenix Suns. The arena was renamed US Airways Center in 2005 and the Rattlers continue to play their home games there and share the arena with the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury. They conduct practices at Gene Autry Park in Mesa, Arizona.
The coaching staff includes Head Coach Kevin Guy, Assistant Head Coach Kani Kauahi, Defensive Coordinator Omarr Smith and Wide Receivers Coach Siaha Burley.
The Rattlers current roster includes members of the National Football League such as San Francisco 49ers placekicker Fabrizio Scaccia and Cleveland Browns WR Rod Windsor.
The Rattlers remain one of the AFL’s leading franchises with the third longest tenure in one city followed only by the Tampa Bay Storm and the Orlando Predators.
Previous head coaches include Gene Nudo, Todd Shell and former Dallas Cowboys and Arizona State University quarterback, and punter, Danny White, who led the Rattlers to their ArenaBowl championships and was named 1993 AFL Coach of the Year.
Notable former Arizona Rattlers players include former Arizona Cardinal quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, former kicker Kyle Pooler former San Diego Chargers defensive specialist Cecil Doggette, former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Randy Gatewood, former New Orleans Saints lineman Mark Tucker and former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Horn.
On May 12, 2011, Ron Shurts became the new majority owner of the Rattlers franchise.[1]
In 2011, the Rattlers won 16 games in the regular season, a league-record for wins in a single regular season. In the playoffs, by winning the National Conference championship, they clinched a berth in ArenaBowl XXIV. They lost the game to the Jacksonville Sharks when Jacksonville quarterback Aaron Garcia threw a game-winning touchdown pass on the game's final play. The Rattlers redeemed themselves the following season, winning ArenaBowl XXV over the Philadelphia Soul to win their first title in 15 years.[2]
Roster[edit]
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Arizona Rattlers roster
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Quarterbacks
Fullbacks Wide Receivers
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Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Kickers |
Injured Reserve
League Suspended
Refuse to Report
Other League Exempt
Inactive reserve
Recallable reassignment
Rookies in italics |
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Season-by-season[edit]
Retired numbers[edit]
- #13 Sherdrick Bonner QB - June 16, 2010
- #14 Hunkie Cooper WR/LB - May 6, 2005
- #17 Randy Gatewood WR/DB - May 9, 2008
Team ownership[edit]
The Arizona Rattlers introduced Ron Shurts as the team’s new majority owner on May 12, 2011.[1]
"I have been an Arizona Rattlers season ticket holder since day one and attended the first Arizona Rattlers game at America West Arena. I believe in the team and the Arena Football League," said Shurts. "I want to bring the passion and excitement for Rattlers football back to US Airways Center and the Valley."
"Downtown Phoenix continues to grow and the Rattlers will be an integral part of the affordable, family-fun entertainment that the Suns and the Mercury are providing the local community," Shurts added.
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b Williams, Cory. "Arena Football: Arizona Rattlers Find New Majority Owner, Ron Shurts". SB Nation Arizona. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- ^ "Game Statistics". Official Site. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
External links[edit]
- Official Website
- Arizona Rattlers at ArenaFan.com
- Rattler Report
- Rattlers coverage from The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com
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