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ArenaBowl X Named Greatest Game

February 22, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The Arena Football League today revealed its 20 greatest games of all-time and the Storm's 42-38 victory against the Iowa Barnstormers in ArenaBowl X is at the top of the list. Six of the 20 games featured the Storm as one of the combatants.

In the AFL's greatest game, ArenaBowl X, the Storm defeated Kurt Warner and the Barnstormers to claim their second consecutive championship and their fourth in six seasons. Iowa set or tied six ArenaBowl records but could not overcome the Tampa Bay red zone defense.

At the end of the game Iowa had the ball first-and-goal on the goal line and failed to score. The Barnstormers fumbled on first down, which moved the ball back to the three-yard line. Warner then had three attempts to toss it in for the score, but came up empty on each occasion and the Storm celebrated another World Championship.

Jay Gruden, playing in his final game as a Storm quarterback, threw five touchdowns and Stevie Thomas claimed ArenaBowl MVP honors after catching two touchdown passes and returning an interception nine yards for a third score.

In the AFL's second best game the Storm defeated Albany, 56-49, during the 1995 AFL Playoffs. Albany mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to tie the game with 15 seconds remaining, but Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown to end the threat for Tampa Bay.

Four other Storm games made the top 20. The sixth greatest game is Tampa Bay's ArenaBowl V win against the Detroit Drive. Tied for seventh best was the Storm's, 55-54, victory against Arizona during the 1996 playoffs. Coming in at 13th was Tampa Bay's, 49-46, loss at the hands of Arizona in the 1997 playoffs. Rounding out the Storm list was their June, 29, 1991 victory against Albany.

No other team is represented on the list more than Tampa Bay.

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 are being released throughout the season (see below). AFL fans will be 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 holds 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 and the first player to throw an AFL touchdown; 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.

Other Storm Games Making the List:

2. August 18, 1995: Playoffs, Tampa Bay 56, Albany 49 - Albany mounts a fourth-quarter comeback to tie the game with 15 seconds left. Stevie Thomas returns the ensuing kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown.

6. August 17, 1991: ArenaBowl V, Tampa Bay 48, Detroit Drive 42 - Stevie Thomas' fourth touchdown catch of the day from Jay Gruden wins the championship for the Storm.

7t. August 16, 1996: Playoffs, Tampa Bay 55, Arizona 54 - An 18-yard Herb Duncan touchdown reception from Sherdrick Bonner with nine seconds left wins a back-and-forth battle.

13. August 16, 1997: Playoffs, Arizona 49, Tampa Bay 46 - Rich Fall hits a 30-yard field goal in overtime to give Tampa Bay the lead. On the next drive, Arizona wins the game on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Donnie Davis to Randy Gatewood.

Arena Football League's 20 Greatest Games:

RANK GAME POINTS
1 August 26, 1996: ArenaBowl X, Tampa Bay 42, Iowa 38 96
2 August 18, 1995: Playoffs, Tampa Bay 56, Albany 49 87
3 June 19, 1992: Orlando 50, Detroit 49 82
4 June 27, 2004: ArenaBowl XVIII, San Jose 69, Arizona 62 69
5 July 15, 2000: Iowa 77, Albany 76 58
6 August 17, 1991: ArenaBowl V, Tampa Bay 48, Detroit 42 57
7t August 16, 1996: Playoffs, Tampa Bay 55, Arizona 54 56
7t June 5, 2005: Playoffs, Colorado 49, Chicago 43 56
9 July 7, 2001: New York 99, Carolina 68 55
10t September 2, 1994: ArenaBowl VIII, Arizona 36, Orlando 31 52
10t August 20, 2000: ArenaBowl XIV, Orlando 41, Nashville 38 52
12 August 27, 1994: Playoffs, Arizona 40, Albany 33 51
13 August 16, 1997: Playoffs, Arizona 49, Tampa Bay 46 44
14 June 12, 2005: ArenaBowl XIX, Colorado 51, Georgia 48 39
15 June 9, 2000: San Jose 85, New England 76 37
16t June 29, 1991: Tampa Bay 57, Albany 53 34
16t June 21, 1996: Iowa 59, Orlando 50 34
18 July 9, 1999: Albany 61, Nashville 59 32
19 July 16, 1987: Chicago 64, Washington 61 28
20 June 20, 1987: Denver 52, Chicago 44 26



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 22, 2006


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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