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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Q & A with Mike Ditka and John Elway

June 1, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


Is there something about the AFL that you learned this season?

DITKA: The thing that really amazed me being there in person is the entertainment package that they put on for everybody: for the fans, for the kids, for the fathers. It's a very nice package. It's better than anything I 've seen with the NBA or the NFL

Is there still something three years after you got into the AFL that is still surprising?

ELWAY: I'm still learning new things. That is one thing we want to continue to work on is to get the fans to understand the nuances of this game because there are some different rules. I've learned something new every year and almost every game there is some new situation that comes up that I have to ask what the rule is.

What things from the marketing and entertainment standpoint, would you like to see the NFL take a look at and maybe incorporate into their package?

DITKA: I mean if you take a look at the NFL Europe League, I think that this league (AFL) is more exciting. I understand that it's not the same venue. I understand that it's a different game because it's played on a smaller field. But it's a much faster game.

Do you at all talk to or inspire the players or do you just pat them on the rump and send them out there?

ELWAY: Being a player my whole life, I enjoy being around the players. That is why I am thrilled to be involved with the AFL and to be involved with the Crush. This is one of the most important things in my life. If I'm around and they see me in the locker room then they know it is important. But I like to be around because I want them to know its important to me and it should be important to them.

DITKA: I feel the same way John does. I talk to the players and I see them but I don't really get involved with interfering with them. I talk to them after the game and before the game. I'll go in and say hello to everybody. I'm not there to distract them. These guys got enough on their minds. They' re going out there and play hard. The one thing that really amazes me the most is how hard they play the game. That's what I'm impressed with. These kids go after it every time they're out there. They're going both ways most of them so its fun to watch.

Coach Ditka, in regards to you being known as "Iron Mike," you have to love a guy like Bob McMillen.

DITKA: Bobby plays so hard. He plays the game the way he is. You say, how can a guy his size be a running back and a linebacker? I'm amazed with his dexterity. I watched him jump over people and score touchdowns and squeeze his way into the end zone a couple times. These guys, I hate to keep saying it, they're warriors. They play so dang gone hard. When I started out, we didn't make any money, but we played hard and we had fun. It was a living and nobody griped about that part, but it was an opportunity. I think that's what these kids look at, they look at it as an opportunity and because it is an opportunity they get after it.

Do you have prediction for this game?

DITKA: Oh no. I don't go that far. We were fortunate to beat them the first game. The second game down in Chicago we played pretty good and we got a break. I hope it's a good football game. I hope the people enjoy it. That's the main thing. The people watch it will watch it and understand that one of these team will go to the ArenaBowl.

ELWAY: I agree with Mike. We would love to win the football game. Hopefully we will come out and play like we are capable of. And like Mike said, it's going to be a good game because it's two evenly matched football teams with two great coaches. It will hopefully be an exciting game and obviously I would like to see the Crush win.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 1, 2005


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