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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

20 Greatest Moments in AFL history revealed

April 5, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - The 20 Greatest Moments in AFL history, as chosen by the 20th Season Historical Committee, were revealed today and JIM FOSTER's inspirational moment at Madison Square Garden in 1981, which led to the creation of the indoor game and the Arena Football League, was voted No. 1.

RANK MOMENT POINTS
1 Jim Foster's inspirational moment at Madison Square Garden 118 (5)
2 AFL and NBC announce partnership 90
3 Arena Football Game System is patented 70 (1)
4 Pittsburgh defeats Washington in inaugural game 59
5 Former AFL QB Kurt Warner is named Super Bowl MVP 56
6t Amendment to NFL bylaws allows NFL ownership in AFL 54
6t John Elway approved for ownership 54
8 AFL and AFLPA agree to CBA through 2010 50
9 David Baker named Commissioner 49
10 "Showcase Game" in Chicago 43 (1)
11t Barry Wagner's "Miracle Minute" 42
11t New York Dragons score 99 points 42
13t Tampa Bay defeats Albany on Stevie Thomas' heroics 41
13t Jon Bon Jovi and Craig Spencer approved for ownership 41
15 AFL offers private ownership 40
16 "Test Game" in Rockford, Illinois 38
17 Eddie Brown scores nine touchdowns in one game 36
18 AFL kicks off 20th Season 35
19 EA Sports launches Arena Football video game 33
20 First international exhibition game in Paris 32

*Seven of the eight Historical Committee members voted; first-place votes in parenthesis; a moment received 20 points for one first-place vote, 19 points for one second-place vote, etc.

1. February 11, 1981: Jim Foster's Inspirational Moment at Madison Square Garden

It may be difficult for historians to pinpoint the exact moment when baseball was invented or when rugby became football. But the exact moment indoor football was conceived is a well known fact and is now regarded as the greatest moment in Arena Football League history.

JIM FOSTER was a promotion manager for the National Football League in New York on February 11, 1981 when he attended the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. His attendance changed his life - and that of countless others who have been touched by indoor football - forever.

During the first half of the game, Foster turned to NFL co-worker MARK FAGAN, who he attended the game with, and said, "You could play football indoors." He then pulled out a 9" x 12" manila envelope from his bag, drew an outline of a hockey rink and started making notes.

Arena Football was born.

The original manila envelope still exists and is regarded as the Magna Carta of the indoor game. Foster's original notes include many elements of the game still practiced today - "4 downs to score, no punts," "kickoff from goal line," and "8 men per team," although the document shows he also considered seven.

Since that day, Arena Football has grown into a booming industry. In its 20th Season, the AFL has 18 teams playing a 16-game regular-season schedule. A neutral-site championship game -- ArenaBowl XX Las Vegas -- will determine the league champion. Two expansion teams are expected to be added in 2007 giving the league 20 teams, its most ever. In 2000, the AFL started its own developmental league, arenafootball2 (af2), which kicked of its seventh season in 2006 with 23 teams playing an 18-game schedule. The sport of indoor football boasts more than 80 teams nationwide and had an estimated economic impact of a half-billion dollars in 2005. And it all started with Foster's idea on February 11, 1981 at Madison Square Garden.

However, it took more than simply an idea to make Arena Football a reality and many of the crucial steps taken in the league's formative years have also been voted among the 20 greatest. A "Test Game" was held in Rockford, Illinois to see if the concept could be brought to life (#16). After changes were made from that game, a "Showcase Game" was played in Chicago (#10) in front of an overwhelmingly approving crowd. The Arena Football Game System was patented (#3) and international exhibitions were played (#20).

Recent developments were also recognized by the Historical Committee, including the league's innovative partnership with NBC Sports (#2), its first long-term Collective Bargaining Agreement with the AFL Players Association (#8), and its first-ever EA Sports video game (#19).

Personalities who made an impact -- KURT WARNER (#5), JOHN ELWAY (#6t), DAVID BAKER (#9), JON BON JOVI (#13t), and JERRY KURZ and BILL NIRO (#15) -- were also acknowledged, as were those who perpetrated on-field heroics -- BARRY WAGNER (#11t), AARON GARCIA (#11t), STEVIE THOMAS (#13t) and EDDIE BROWN (#17).

DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE REMAINING 20 GREATEST MOMENTS

2. March 5, 2002. The AFL and NBC Sports announce an exclusive agreement to become partners in a historic national-television contract beginning with the 2003 season.

3. March 27, 1990. The U.S. Patent Office issues patent No. 4,911,433 for the Arena Football Game System, making the AFL the only sports league in history to play a patented, rival-free game.

4. June 19, 1987. The Pittsburgh Gladiators defeat the Washington Commandos, 48-46, in front of 12,117 fans in the league's inaugural game. Current Chicago Rush head coach MIKE HOHENSEE throws the league's first TD pass as a QB for Pittsburgh. The inaugural season kicks off with four teams (the Chicago Bruisers and Denver Dynamite are the other two) playing a six-game regular-season schedule. The Dynamite win ArenaBowl I.

5. January 30, 2000. Former Iowa Barnstormers QB KURT WARNER leads the St. Louis Rams to a victory over the Tennessee Titans, 23-16, in Super Bowl XXXIV and is named the game's MVP. Warner's season-long performance brings unprecedented exposure to the AFL.

6t. May 22, 1998. An amendment to NFL bylaws is adopted, opening the door for NFL owners to operate an AFL team in their own market. Previously, NFL owners were prohibited from investing in other football leagues or teams. Eight NFL owners currently operate AFL teams or own the rights to future teams in their markets.

6t. August 18, 2001. Former NFL QB JOHN ELWAY, Denver Broncos owner PAT BOWLEN and Pepsi Center owner STAN KROENKE are approved as owners of a future AFL team in Denver. The Colorado Crush take the field for their inaugural season in 2003 and go on to win ArenaBowl XIX in only their third year of existence.

8. December 10, 2002. The AFL and Arena Football League Players Association solidify a long-term Collective Bargaining Agreement that runs through 2010 - the longest and most far-reaching in professional sports.

9. November 7, 1996. DAVID BAKER is named Commissioner. His accomplishments include an innovative agreement with NBC Sports, a long-term CBA with the AFLPA, the implementation of the league's Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, significant expansion into major markets, the creation of af2 - the AFL's developmental league - and the increase in team values from $400,000 to nearly $20 million.

10. February 26, 1987. Before committing to creating an indoor football league, a "Showcase Game" is played at Chicago's Rosemont Horizon before 8,200 fans. The event's success convinces league founders to go forward with the inaugural season.

11t. June 19, 1992. With Detroit leading Orlando, 42-32, the "Miracle Minute" begins. In the final 46 seconds, Orlando's WR/DB BARRY WAGNER scores two touchdowns, two two-point conversions, recovers an onside kick attempt, and makes a game-saving tackle to help lead the Predators to victory. Orlando defeats Detroit, 50-49.

11t. July 7, 2001. The New York Dragons score 99 points on the strength of QB AARON GARCIA's AFL-record 11 touchdown passes and defeat the Carolina Cobras, 99-68, in the highest-scoring game in league history. Garcia would go on to set the AFL record for most touchdown passes in a single season (104).

13t. August 18, 1995. In an AFL Semifinal, Albany mounts a fourth-quarter comeback to tie Tampa Bay with 15 seconds remaining. On the ensuing kickoff, Tampa Bay WR/LB STEVIE THOMAS returns the ball 54 yards for a touchdown giving the Storm a 56-49 victory. The Storm would go on to win ArenaBowl IX, 48-35, over Orlando.

13t. July 10, 2003. The AFL Board of Directors approves an application for music icon JON BON JOVI and partner CRAIG SPENCER to place a team in Philadelphia for the 2004 season.

15. 1990. AFL Founder JIM FOSTER and partners at Gridiron Enterprises, JERRY KURZ and BILL NIRO, sell licenses to investors in major markets, enabling private ownership of teams.

16. April 26, 1986. For the first time, the concept of Arena Football comes to life as a "Test Game" is played in Rockford, Illinois between two all-star teams fielded from local semi-pro teams. Fan enthusiasm leads to the "Showcase Game" being played 10 months later.

17. May 18, 1996. Albany Firebird's OS EDDIE BROWN sets a single-game record for most touchdowns scored with nine against the Minnesota Fighting Pike.

18. January 27, 2006. The AFL celebrates its 20th Season as the 2006 season kicks off with 18 teams playing a 16-game schedule. The growth of the AFL is evident in the stark contrast between its 20th Season and its inaugural one, which featured only four teams playing a six-game schedule.

19. February 7, 2006. The AFL...It's in the Game! EA Sports launches its first AFL video game, Arena Football. The product is immediately one of the top sports video game sellers and exceeds expectations.

20. November 16, 1989. Gridiron Enterprises, comprised of the game's founders, conducts the first Arena Football international exhibition game in Paris, France, in front of 13,500 fans. Two days later, another contest is held in London, England, as 12,000 fans see the game for the first time.

###

The AFL's 20th Season kicked off Friday, January 27 and among the many activities, tributes and special events taking place is a season-long celebration of the league's history. As a result, the Arena Football League formed a historical committee to select the 20 Greatest Players, Games, Moments and Teams in league history. The results have been released throughout the season. AFL fans are able to voice their opinions on the AFL's Web site, www.arenafootball.com.

The esteemed Historical Committee consists of a diverse mix of AFL personalities all with a strong knowledge of the league and its history. The members are: HOWARD BALZER, a journalist who has covered the AFL since its inception; HUNKIE COOPER, a former player and current assistant coach who retired with the record for career all-purpose yards; DARRYL HAMMOND, an active player who will begin his 16th season this year; MIKE HOHENSEE, head coach of the Chicago Rush, who has been involved with the AFL for all 20 seasons; JOE KAUFFMAN, the president of ArenaFan Online; GEORGE LAFRANCE, a former player who won five ArenaBowl championships; BILL NIRO, an AFL founder; and GENE NUDO, head coach of the Arizona Rattlers, whose career has spanned 19 of the AFL's 20 seasons.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 5, 2006


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