Jones`s Return Arena Football to Big ``D``
Keith Antigiovanni
Friday March 23, 2001
"Last August we made our presentation to the Arena League officials to get a franchise in Dallas. They voted us in and scheduled us to begin play for the 2002 season," Jerry Jones Sr. said.
The 2002 franchise becomes the second Arena team in Dallas and the fifth Texas-based franchise since 1990. The previous Dallas team, nicknamed the Texans, lasted four seasons (1990-1993) before folding. In its four seasons the Texans posted a mediocre (18-22) record but managed to make the playoffs twice and made an appearance in Arena Bowl IV. The all-time leading AFL passer, Todd Hammel played for the Texans in 1992 and 1993. Despite the stability at quarterback the team suffered instability at the head coaching position with a league-record four coaches in four seasons, including former Dallas Cowboys Ernie Staunter (1990) and Drew Pearson (1991).
Three other Texas franchises followed the Texans: The San Antonio Force (1992), Fort Worth Cavalry (1994) and the Texas Terror,1996 (later renamed Houston ThunderBears). Both San Antonio and Fort Worth lasted only one season while posting losing records. The Houston ThunderBears are entering its sixth season of play but have not fared much better than San Antonio and Fort Worth. The ThunderBears have an overall record of 22-48 (.314).
At this time the name of the 2002 Dallas franchise has not been decided. It`s a good bet that it won`t be the Texans since the 2002 NFL Houston expansion team already has that name, however, Jerry Jones Jr. says that anything is possible. "As far as the team`s nickname and what arena we will play in, we`re looking into that right now and will be more than ready for next season," Jones Jr. added.
"The main reason for the Jones family involvement in the Arena Football League is because it promotes the game of football and for professional sports in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. We support whatever is good for football and are excited to be involved with the Arena Football League, "Jones Jr. said.
Keith Antigiovanni is a free-lance writer in San Diego, California. He has worked for several local newspapers covering sports, government and business. Keith started writing in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Media Communications from the University of San Diego. Aside from working as a sportswriter he has a side business of providing marketing assistance/research for small businesses and also directs,produces and hosts a regular public access television show on Time-Warner Cable named "San Diego Yesterday". Antigiovanni is also a member of the San Diego Sportswriter Association.
