May 26, 2025 - 28 Games Today

ArenaBowl XVII Quick Hitters

June 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

A CHANCE AT HISTORY: This Sunday at ArenaBowl XVII Arizona Rattler WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD will attempt to be only the second player in AFL history to win both the Ironman of the Year Award and a championship in the same season. The only player to ever accomplish this feat is AFL Hall of Famer, DWAYNE DIXON, in 1988 while playing for the now defunct Detroit Drive. Six-time Ironman of the Year BARRY WAGNER is the only other player to appear in an ArenaBowl game in the season of his award. He accomplished this three times in his career (with Orlando in 1992, 1994, 1995), however none resulted in a championship.

THE DEAN IS IN: Referred to by many as the "Dean of Arena Football," Tampa Bay head coach TIM MARCUM will make his 10th ArenaBowl appearance in his 17-year AFL career this Sunday. Marcum will be going for his seventh ArenaBowl championship and third with the Storm. The following are his all-time ArenaBowl appearances:

TIM MARCUM: ALL-TIME ARENABOWL APPEARENCES
TEAM YEARS
Denver Dynamite 1987
Detroit Drive 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993
Tampa Bay Storm 1995, 1996, 1998

A WINNING RECORD: A victory by Tampa Bay would give the Storm a 5-2 (5-4 overall, 0-2 as Pittsburgh) ArenaBowl record, making them the first team in AFL history to win five ArenaBowl Championships. The Detroit Drive currently holds the record for most ArenaBowl wins with their 4-2 championship record. A victory by Arizona would give the Rattlers a 3-1 ArenaBowl record. The Rattlers are currently tied for third for most AFL championship wins with two (Orlando is 2-4).

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: ArenaBowl XVII will be Arizona's second consecutive championship appearance on the road and third overall. The Rattlers are looking to improve their 1-1 road game record. They are 1-1 on the road in ArenaBowl games and are 1-0 in Florida having defeated the Orlando Predators 36-32 in ArenaBowl VIII at Orlando (Sept. 2, 1994). Arizona's road loss came in last year's ArenaBowl where the Rattlers lost to the San Jose SaberCats 52-14 (AB XVI, Aug. 18, 2002).

SCORING FRENZY: Tampa Bay is looking to move into the No. 1 position on the all-time ArenaBowl scoring list this Sunday. In their seven ArenaBowl appearances, the Storm has scored a total of 262 points, putting them at No. 2 on the all-time ArenaBowl scoring list. The Detroit Drive currently holds the No.1 spot with their 263 points. Arizona is No. 4 with a total of 105 points in their three ArenaBowl appearances. Following are the top five on the all-time ArenaBowl scoring list:

ARENABOWL ALL-TIME SCORING LIST
TEAM SCORE # OF APPEARANCES
Detroit Drive 263 5
Tampa Bay Storm 262 7
Orlando Predators 255 5
Arizona Rattlers 105 3
Nashville Kats 80 2

THE DYNAMIC DUO: Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER and WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER will make their third championship appearance together in ArenaBowl XVII. Bonner has hooked up with Cooper for a total of 20 receptions for 219 yards and two touchdowns in those title games careers. Here is a look at their respective all-time playoff statistics

NAME COMP-ATT-INT YARDS TD
Sherdrick Bonner 39-70-2 439 5

NAME RECEPTIONS YARDS TD
Hunkie Cooper 12 114 1

HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE: There have been nine different ArenaBowl hosts over the last 16 years. The record for the ArenaBowl home team is 8-8. Tampa Bay has hosted three ArenaBowls â tied for the second-most ArenaBowls hosted (Orlando), behind the Detroit Drive (4). The Storm are 1-2 as the host team.

SEASON VERSUS OUTCOME SCORE
ArenaBowl I, (1987)* Denver Loss 45-16
ArenaBowl IX (1995) Orlando Win 48-35
ArenaBowl XII (1998) Orlando Loss 62-31
*Played as Pittsburgh

MOVIN' ON UP: Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER can make a move up several of the all-time ArenaBowl individual statistics lists. Bonner is currently fourth in total offense (439 yards), total offensive plays (70), pass attempts (70), and is tied for 10th in touchdowns (5). He is also sixth in passing yards with 439 in two games.

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 20, 2003

Desperados WR/DB Pettis Claimed by Saints - Dallas Desperados
ArenaBowl XVII Quick Hitters - AFL I
AFL Mourns Passing of Papasedero - AFL I

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.