Arena Football Hall of Fame
| File:Arena Football Hall Of Fame Logo 2014-present.png | |
| Established | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Website | www.arenafootball.com/hallfame |
The Arena Football Hall of Fame is the official Hall of Fame of the Arena Football League (AFL). The inaugural class was announced in 1998 and the Hall was not formally organized until 2011. Prior to 2011, there were four classes: 1998–2000 and then another in 2002. The Arena Football Hall of Fame is the highest honor for players, coaches, and contributors involved in the AFL. The voting process consists of fans and current Hall of Fame members voting on the finalists. The finalists are selected by the League Office in which they collect ballots from the Arena Football Hall of Fame Advisory Board, a group which consisted of former players, executives, journalists and media personnel with a long-time involvement in the league.[1][2]
Qualifications
In order to be nominated for the Arena Football Hall of Fame, a candidate must meet at least one of four criteria (as of 2015, depending upon whether he is being considered as a player, a coach, or a contributor). A player who has played after the 1989 season must have played a minimum of three seasons. A player must be retired for a minimum of three full seasons. A coach must be active for a minimum of five seasons but does not need to be retired. There is no minimum number of seasons required for contributors, but significant advancement of the AFL is a prerequisite.[3]
Location
There is currently no physical location for the Arena Football Hall of Fame. Unlike the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which recognizes the greats not only of the NFL but the history of other outdoor pro football leagues, there is not a museum associated with Arena Football, but there is, however, within the Pro Football Hall of Fame a relatively small exhibit that features the history of the Arena Football League.[4]
Ceremony and Hall of Fame Game
Much like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Arena Football League has a weekend dedicated to the inductees and during a selected Hall of Fame Game the inductees will partake in a Hall of Fame ceremony. This ceremony takes place prior to the game and will feature highlights as well as speeches from each of the inductees; each of the Hall of Fame Games are aired on CBS Sports Network annually.[5]
Inductees
The list is complete up to date 2014 Hall of Fame class.
| Inductee | Class | Position | Team(s) | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Dixon | 1998 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Washington Commandos | 1987 |
| Detroit Drive | 1988–1991 | |||
| Jim Foster | 1998 | League Founder/Executive, Commissioner, Team Owner/President | N/A | N/A |
| Commissioner | 1987–1992 | |||
| Iowa Barnstormers | 1995–2001 | |||
| Jerry Kurz | 1998 | League Co-Founder/Executive, Commissioner, President | N/A | N/A |
| CEO (af2) | 2004–2009 | |||
| Commissioner | 2010–2014 | |||
| President | 2015–present | |||
| Tim Marcum | 1998 | Head Coach | Denver Dynamite | 1987 |
| Detroit Drive | 1988–1989, 1991–1993 | |||
| Tampa Bay Storm | 1995–2010 | |||
| Kansas City Command | 2011 | |||
| New Orleans VooDoo (AHC) | 2012 | |||
| Orlando Predators (AHC/DC) | 2013 | |||
| Gary Mullen | 1998 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Denver Dynamite | 1987 |
| Los Angeles Cobras | 1988 | |||
| Detroit Drive | 1989–1992 | |||
| Cincinnati Rockers | 1993 | |||
| Milwaukee Mustangs | 1995 | |||
| Tate Randle | 1998 | Defensive Specialist | Detroit Drive | 1988, 1990–1992 |
| Alvin Rettig | 1998 | Fullback/Linebacker | Detroit Drive | 1988–1993 |
| Craig Walls | 1998 | Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman | Pittsburgh Gladiators | 1987–1988 |
| Jay Gruden | 1999 | Quarterback | Tampa Bay Storm | 1991–1996 |
| Orlando Predators | 2002–2003 | |||
| Durwood "Rock" Roquemore | 1999 | Defensive Specialist | Chicago Bruisers | 1987–1988 |
| Albany Firebirds | 1990 | |||
| Orlando Predators | 1991–1996 | |||
| Jon Roehlk[7] | 1999 | Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman | Washington Commandos | 1987 |
| Detroit Drive | 1988–1993 | |||
| Miami Hooters | 1994 | |||
| Iowa Barnstormers | 1995–1996 | |||
| Gary Vitto | 1999 | General Manager | Detroit Drive | 1988–1993 |
| Ben Bennett | 2000 | Quarterback | Chicago Bruisers | 1988–1989 |
| Dallas Texans | 1990 | |||
| Orlando Predators | 1991–1995 | |||
| San Jose SaberCats | 1996 | |||
| Portland Forest Dragons | 1997 | |||
| Carl Aikens | 2000 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Chicago Bruisers | 1988–1989 |
| Dallas Texans | 1990–1991 | |||
| Orlando Predators | 1992–1993 | |||
| Milwaukee Mustangs | 1994 | |||
| Hercules "Herkie" Walls | 2000 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Orlando Predators | 1991–1996 |
| Joe March | 2000 | Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman | Denver Dynamite | 1991 |
| Sacramento Attack | 1992 | |||
| Milwaukee Mustangs | 1993 | |||
| Tampa Bay Storm | 1993–1996 | |||
| Nashville Kats | 1997 | |||
| Perry Moss | 2000 | Head Coach | Chicago Bruisers | 1988 |
| Detroit Drive | 1990 | |||
| Orlando Predators | 1991–1997 | |||
| Glenn Mazula | 2000 | Team Owner | Albany/Indiana Firebirds | 1990–2002 |
| Danny White | 2002 | Head Coach | Arizona Rattlers | 1992–2004 |
| Utah Blaze | 2006–2008 | |||
| Mike Ilitch | 2002 | Team Owner | Detroit Drive | 1988–1993 |
| John Corker | 2002 | Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman | Detroit Drive | 1988–1993 |
| Miami Hooters | 1994–1995 | |||
| Fred Gayles | 2002 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Denver Dynamite | 1989 |
| Albany Firebirds | 1990–1997 | |||
| New York CityHawks | 1997 | |||
| Grand Rapids Rampage | 1998 | |||
| Reggie Smith | 2002 | Offensive Specialist | Chicago Bruisers | 1987–1989 |
| Albany Firebirds | 1990 | |||
| Orlando Predators | 1991 | |||
| Barry Wagner | 2011 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Orlando Predators | 1992–1999, 2007 |
| San Jose SaberCats | 2000–2006 | |||
| George LaFrance | 2011 | Offensive Specialist | Detroit Drive | 1988–1993 |
| Tampa Bay Storm | 1994–1999 | |||
| New Jersey Red Dogs | 2000 | |||
| Hunkie Cooper | 2011 | Wide Receiver/Linebacker | Arizona Rattlers | 1993–2005 |
| Eddie Brown | 2011 | Offensive Specialist | Albany/Indiana Firebirds | 1994–2003 |
| Sylvester Bembery | 2011 | Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman | New England Steamrollers | 1988 |
| Albany Firebirds | 1990–1993 | |||
| Tampa Bay Storm | 1994–1999, 2001 | |||
| Buffalo Destroyers | 2000 | |||
| Kurt Warner | 2011 | Quarterback | Iowa Barnstormers | 1995–1997 |
| Stevie Thomas | 2011 | Wide Receiver/Linebacker | Tampa Bay Storm | 1991–1999 |
| Orlando Predators | 2000 | |||
| New Jersey Gladiators | 2001 | |||
| Sam Hernandez | 2011 | Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman | Charlotte Rage | 1992 |
| Las Vegas Sting/Anaheim Piranhas | 1994–1997 | |||
| San Jose SaberCats | 1998–2005 | |||
| Darren Arbet | 2011 | Head Coach | San Jose SaberCats | 1999–2008, 2010–present |
| Gene Nudo | 2011 | Executive | N/A | N/A |
| Sherdrick Bonner | 2012 | Quarterback | Arizona Rattlers | 1993–2007 |
| Chicago Rush | 2008 | |||
| Mike Dailey | 2012 | Head Coach | Albany/Indiana Firebirds | 1997–2003 |
| Colorado Crush | 2004–2008 | |||
| Clint Dolezel[8] | 2012 | Quarterback | Milwaukee Mustangs | 1995–1996 |
| Texas Terror/Houston ThunderBears | 1997–1999 | |||
| Grand Rapids Rampage | 2001–2003 | |||
| Las Vegas Gladiators | 2004–2005 | |||
| Dallas Desperados | 2006–2008 | |||
| Randy Gatewood | 2012 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Arizona Rattlers | 1996–2007 |
| Mike Hohensee | 2012 | Head Coach | Washington Commandos | 1990 |
| Albany Firebirds | 1994–1996 | |||
| Anaheim Piranhas | 1997 | |||
| New England Sea Wolves | 1999–2000 | |||
| Chicago Rush | 2001–2008, 2010 | |||
| Peoria Pirates (af2) | 2009 | |||
| Philadelphia Soul | 2011 | |||
| Iowa Barnstormers | 2012–2014 | |||
| Portland Thunder | 2015 | |||
| William Niro | 2012 | League Co-Founder/Executive | N/A | N/A |
| Cory Fleming[9] | 2013 | Wide Receiver/Linebacker | Nashville Kats | 1994–1995, 2006 |
| Carolina Cobras | 2002 | |||
| Orlando Predators | 2003–2005 | |||
| Darryl Hammond | 2013 | Wide Receiver/Linebacker | Albany Firebirds | 1991–1994 |
| St. Louis Stampede | 1995–1996 | |||
| Nashville Kats | 1997–2001, 2005–2006 | |||
| Georgia Force | 2003–2004 | |||
| Austin Wranglers | 2004 | |||
| Greg Hopkins | 2013 | Wide Receiver/Linebacker | Albany/Indiana Firebirds | 1996–2001 |
| Los Angeles Avengers | 2002–2006 | |||
| Bob McMillen | 2013 | Fullback/Linebacker | Arizona Rattlers | 1995–2001 |
| San Jose SaberCats | 2001–2002 | |||
| Chicago Rush | 2003–2007 | |||
| Carl Paganelli | 2013 | Official/Adviser/Contributor | N/A | N/A |
| Lawrence Samuels | 2013 | Wide Receiver/Linebacker | Tampa Bay Storm | 1994–2000, 2002–2010 |
| New Jersey Gladiators | 2001 | |||
| Andre Bowden | 2014 | Fullback/Linebacker | Tampa Bay Storm | 1991–1993, 1997–2001, 2003–2004 |
| Carolina Cobras | 2002 | |||
| Damian Harrell | 2014 | Wide Receiver | New England Sea Wolves/Toronto Phantoms | 1999–2002 |
| Colorado Crush | 2003–2007 | |||
| Chicago Rush | 2008 | |||
| Milwaukee Mustangs | 2010–2011 | |||
| Kyle Moore-Brown | 2014 | Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman | Albany/Indiana Firebirds | 1995–2003 |
| Colorado Crush | 2004–2008 | |||
| Omarr Smith | 2014 | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | San Jose SaberCats | 2000–2002, 2004–2008 |
| Tampa Bay Storm | 2003 |
Class of 2015 Finalists:[10]
- James Baron Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman for the Nashville Kats from 1997–2001, 2005–2007 and the Chicago Rush from 2002–2004 and 2008
- Craig Bornemeier Executive
- Siaha Burley Offensive Specialist for the Orlando Predators from 2001–2002, the Los Angeles Avengers from 2003, the Arizona Rattlers from 2004–2005, 2008, 2010, and the Utah Blaze from 2006–2007
- B. J. Cohen Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman for the Orlando Predators from 1999–2002, 2008, the Tampa Bay Storm from 2003, the New Orleans VooDoo from 2004–2005, and the Kansas City Brigade from 2006–2007
- Mark Grieb Quarterback for the Anaheim Piranhas from 1997, the Milwaukee Mustangs from 1997, and the San Jose SaberCats from 1999–2008, 2011–2012
- Jay Gruden Head Coach for the Orlando Predators from 1998–2001, 2004–2008. Gruden is already inducted for his playing career and thus would be the first to be inducted twice as the hall is currently configured.
- Kevin Guy Head Coach for the Tennessee Valley Vipers (af2) from 2002–2004, the Rio Grande Valley Dorados (af2) from 2005, and the Arizona Rattlers from 2008–present
- Kenny McEntyre Defensive Specialist for the Orlando Predators from 1998–2006, 2008–2012 and the Kansas City Brigade from 2007
- Steve Papin Offensive Specialist for the San Jose SaberCats from 1997–2001, the New York Dragons from 2002–2003, and the San Diego Riptide (af2) from 2003
- Will Pettis Wide Receiver/Defensive Back for the Pensacola Barracudas (af2) from 2002, the Dallas Desperados from 2003–2008, and the Dallas Vigilantes from 2010
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Joe DeLamielleure was the first Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee to ever play with an Arena Football Team; as an apparent publicity stunt, he played two games for the Charlotte Rage in the 1992 season, seven years after he had retired from professional football.[11]
Kurt Warner, who played three seasons with the Iowa Barnstormers from 1995 to 1997 and was inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame in 2011, is the first player with substantial arena football experience to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as the first to be inducted into both halls. Warner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
See also
References
- ^ "Hall of Fame Voting Officially Opens". Arena Football. July 14, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
- ^ "Arena Football Hall of Fame Advisory Board Announced". arenafootball.com. June 5, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
- ^ "Hall of Fame Voting Officially Opens". Arena Football League. July 14, 2015. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Hall of Fame features exhibit on Arena Football League". ESPN. March 2, 2007. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "HYDRIVE Arena Football Hall of Fame Weekend Set to Kick Off Friday". Tampa Bay Storm. April 17, 2014. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Hall of Fame". Arenafootball.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ex-Hawkeye, arena football pioneer Roehlk dies". The Quad City Times. March 16, 2016. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "After HOF career, Clint Dolezel finds success as coach". csnphilly.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Organ, Mike (April 26, 2014). "Kats' Cory Fleming goes to Arena Football Hall of Fame". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "AFL Announces 2015 Arena Football Hall of Fame Finalists". Arena Football. July 11, 2015. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
- ^ "1992-1996 Charlotte Rage". Funwhileitlasted.com. Retrieved April 22, 2016.