Arizona Rattlers
|
|
ArizonaRattlers.png
Arizona Rattlers logo
Arizona Rattlers are an Arena Football League team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The team began play in 1992. They play their home games in the America West Arena, which they share with the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Rattlers are one of the AFL's leading franchises and are currently one of the Arena Football teams with the longest tenure in one city, surpassed only by two other traditional powerhouses, the Tampa Bay Storm and the Orlando Predators. Their unique, copper-colored helmets and rattlesnake logo make their merchandise some of the AFL's most popular. They were coached by former Dallas Cowboys and Arizona State University star Danny White, which had lent considerable credibility to the team over the years. The Rattlers currently compete in the Western Division of the American Conference.
The Rattlers were ArenaBowl champions in 1994 and 1997. They also have the distinction of being the only club to lose three consecutive ArenaBowls, in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Rattlers released Coach White after losing the championship to their rivals, the San Jose SaberCats, in 2004. On August 5, 2004, the Rattlers introduced former San Jose SaberCats and New York Dragons coach Todd Shell as the second head coach in franchise history.
Head coaches
- 1992-2004: Danny White, 121-55
- 2005-: Todd Shell 7-9
Notable players (current and former)
- Sherdrick Bonner
- Siaha Burley
- Hunkie Cooper
- Donnie Davis
- Cecil Doggette
- Wendall Gaines
- Aaron Garcia
- Evan Hlavacek
- Chris Horn
- Paul Justin
- Calvin Schexnayder
- Cedric Walker
External links
- Arizona Rattlers website (http://www.azrattlers.com/)
- America West Arena (http://www.americawestarena.com/)