Massachusetts Marauders
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The Detroit Drive were a professional American football team playing as an Arena Football League team from 1988-1993. They were in six consecutive championship ArenaBowls, one for each season of the team's Detroit existence, winning four of them, making them the dominant team of the League's early period.
Their home games were played at the Joe Louis Arena, also home to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.
The team's on-field success did not mean equivalent business success, as owner Mike Ilitch sold the team following his purchase of the Detroit Tigers in 1993. Illitch said he'd rather have people at Tiger Stadium rather than be at "something stupid like Arena Football". They were sold, and competed in 1994 as the Massachusetts Marauders, and folded.
Technically, the franchise still exists today. Nearly three years after the Marauders folded, Dan DeVos purchased the franchise out of bankruptcy court, and in 1998 they became the Grand Rapids Rampage, who are still playing today.
While the Drive's history may have been short, they have an unforgettable legacy to Arena Football fans, with Arena Bowl trips every year of their existence, and creating the first dynasty in the Arena Football League.
The Drive won the ArenaBowl in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1992.
Notable Players
- Novo Bojovic, Kicker 1988-92
- Lynn Bradford, Fullback/Linebacker 1989-90
- Tony Burse, Fullback/Linebacker 1993-94
- Dwayne Dixon, Wide Receiver/Linebacker 1988-91
- David Evans, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back 1988-91
- Walter Holman, Fullback/Linebacker 1988
- Rich Ingold, Quarterback 1988
- Reggie Mathis, Offensive/Defensive Line 1988-90
- Mike Pagel, Quarterback 1994
- Alvin Rettig, Fullback/Linebacker 1988-93