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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Q&A: Bon Jovi and John Elway

March 16, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


JON BON JOVI and JOHN ELWAY's respective AFL teams meet for the first time this Sunday when Bon Jovi's Philadelphia Soul host Elway's Colorado Crush at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center on NBC at noon ET.

Elway's second-year Colorado Crush are a much improved team. After posting a 2-14 record in their inaugural season, the Crush are 4-2 this season and in second place in the Central Division. Bon Jovi's expansion Soul are 3-3, including wins in each of their last two games.

Elway, who serves as CEO of the Crush, co-owns the team with PAT BOWLEN, owner of the Denver Broncos, and STAN KROENKE, owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Denver's Pepsi Center. Bon Jovi co-owns the Soul with Philadelphia businessman CRAIG A. SPENCER.

Bon Jovi and Elway will be available on a national conference call on Thursday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m. (ET). The dial-in number is 703-925-2406.

The Soul and Crush meet again on Sunday, May 2 at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.

Q: Did you enjoy making the AFL mini-movie together in December?

Elway: I enjoyed it very much. Jon was tremendous to work with and, with his acting background, was a big help to me, as well as to the look of the whole mini-movie.

Bon Jovi: Oh, yeah. Sure! I loved the opportunity to look even shorter on film...in front of a legend of the game...playing HIS game. They brought out a soap box for me to stand on and Elway got all the funny lines. Then he trashes my house and won the game. I can hardly wait for the sequel. We should start doing buddy flicks!

Q: Elway, your team is off to a great start after winning only two games in 2003. What has been the biggest difference?

Head Coach MIKE DAILEY and his staff have done a tremendous job. He has changed the attitude of the team and brought a tremendous amount of AFL experience to our organization.

Q: Bon Jovi, what has been the most surprising thing about being an owner that you didn't know prior to playing your first game?

My players can eat...a lot. You pick up the restaurant tab – you better bring a credit card.

Q: Elway, what advice would you have for a first-year owner, like Jon?

Jon has done a great job in his first year. The only advice I would have is to be patient with their on-field performance, which is a lot better than we did!

Q: Bon Jovi, before the season, you said you would not meddle with the football part of the business. Has watching games changed your approach?

I said I'd be more WELLINGTON MARA than AL DAVIS. I lied. I'm considering restraints in my box.

Q: Elway, are you still pleased with the response of the fans in Colorado towards the Crush?

Colorado has great sports fans. They have shown great interest in the Crush. We have to do a better job on the field because they want a winner. So far, our performance has been much better!

Q: Bon Jovi, how would you rate the reception of the Soul by the Philadelphia fans?

Philadelphia IS football. Ask any Eagles fan. They want a winner. They want it now. Hell, they even gave me six weeks to get them one. If not, they were going deport me back to the Meadowlands.

Q: Why should fans watch this game on Sunday?

Elway: Hopefully this is the beginning of a great rivalry. It will be an exciting game between two coaches that really know Arena Football.

Bon Jovi: This is a reality show. Someone's going to win. Someone's going to lose. But we know who the better-looking team is going to be. Tune in and pick a Soulmate: NICK BROWDER, RICKY ROSS, TYRONNE JONES, or SOUL TRAIN (CHRIS RYAN).

Q: Prediction for Sunday?

Elway: Predictions are always tough in the league, but we enter every game with confidence that we are going to win. All that said, you can plan on it being exciting.

Bon Jovi: Win, lose or draw – we're going to have fun!

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 16, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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