Preds featured in four of 20 greatest Arena Football League games
Published on February 23, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (February 23, 2006) -- As part of the Arena Football League's 20th anniversary celebration, the league has released its list of the 20 greatest games every played and the Orlando Predators are featured four times on the list.
Topping the list of great games involving the Predators was Orlando's 50-49 win over the Detroit Drive on June 19, 1992, which was rated the third greatest game in AFL history. The game was later dubbed the "Miracle Minute," when the two teams combined for eight possessions, three touchdowns, two turnovers, a safety, a successful on-sides kick and two, two-point conversions - all in the final 46 seconds of play. BARRY WAGNER was the star for the Predators, scoring two touchdowns, recovering the on-sides kick attempt, converting a two-point PAT and recording a pass defense and a game-saving tackle all in the final minute of play.
Other Orlando games included the Predators 41-38 win over Nashville in ArenaBowl XIV, when DAVID COOL kicked a field goal as time expired. It was the first ArenaBowl where the winning points were scored on the game's final play and capped a 14-3 season for the Predators.
The Predators were on the losing end of the other two games listed. In ArenaBowl VIII, the Arizona Rattlers pulled a major upset - knocking off the 1994 Predators, 36-31, in Orlando.
Considered one of the greatest teams in AFL history, Orlando (11-1) came within seven seconds of becoming just the seventh team in major professional football league history (NFL, American Football League, World Football League, World League of American Football, Arena Football League, NFL-Europe) to record an unbeaten, untied regular season. During that year, the Predators had beaten Arizona twice, by a combined margin of 35 points.
After breezing through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the 13-1 Predators had no answer for Arizona. The Rattlers five-point win over the Predators is still considered one of the greatest upsets in AFL history. The ArenaBowl XIV win over Nashville and the ArenaBowl VIII loss to Arizona tied for the 10th greatest game in AFL history.
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Greatest Games / 2
Orlando's other mention came in a 59-50 regular season loss to Iowa on June 21, 1996, which was rated as the league's 16th greatest game. Wagner, who was returning to the Preds lineup after missing four games with a broken leg, had one of the greatest individual efforts in AFL history with 434 all-purpose yards. Wagner caught 15 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns, returned six kickoffs for 127 yards, and returned three missed field goals for 78 yards - including one 54 yards for a fourth touchdown.
But Wagner's heroics were not enough, as WILLIS JACOX scored four touchdowns - including two on kickoff returns. KURT WARNER also fired four touchdown passes, including the game-winner with one minute to go.
Orlando Predators head coach JAT GRUDEN was also listed prominently in the list. As quarterback for arch-rival Tampa Bay from 1991-96, Gruden-led teams were named to four of the AFL's greatest games. Tampa Bay's 42-38 win over Iowa in ArenaBowl X was selected as the greatest game ever played.
"Similar to the 20 Greatest Players List, there's a lot of room for argument with this list," Gruden said. "Frankly, the greatest game I ever played in is not even on the list, and that was Tampa Bay's 55-52 win over Orlando in the semifinals. That game went back and forth the entire time and wasn't decided until we recovered a kick off the net for a touchdown in the final minutes of the game."
Here is the list of the 20 Greatest Games:
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
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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.
Remaining 20 Seasons Tributes
20 Greatest Moments March 29
20 Greatest Teams May 17
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.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 23, 2006
- Week five AFL must-see matchups - AFL I
- Week five AFL quick hitters - AFL I
- Bob McMillen Poised to Break Arena Football League Rushing Record - Chicago Rush
- Preds featured in four of 20 greatest Arena Football League games - Orlando Predators
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.
