Firebirds provide first class thrills and atmosphere for all
Joe Thoms
Tuesday April 10, 2001
The opening fireworks and pyrotechnics used to introduce the players served their purpose in getting the crowd behind Indianapolis’ newest professional team. The introductory graphics were similar to those used by the Indiana Pacers, while the fireworks and explosions gave the game a feel similar to a WWF event, without the crudity and witless violence endemic to wrestling.
The crowd itself was of all ages, with a strong contingent of families. Children seemed to be captivated by the closeness of the players to the field, and the fast pace of the game. Few children left the game without purchasing at least one Firebirds souvenir.
The Firebirds made sure that the fans did not have a dull moment. Music was constantly played during huddles and timeouts. There were several contests and T-shirts were shot into the crowd. Nine footballs managed to reach the stands, where they were eagerly scooped up by fans.
After the game, players and cheerleaders stayed on the field to sign autographs. This further cemented the Firebirds’ commitment to reaching their new fans. Many AFL teams offer this bonus, but we’ll soon find out if this will be a permanent feature of future home games. Nonetheless, this is what the XFL wishes it was.
Joe Thoms was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2001 season.
