It’s January: Time for Football!
Jeff Sims
Monday January 19, 2004
It must mean that football season is coming to an end?
Actually, nothing could be further from the truth! Football season is just beginning!
The AFL is about to embark on its 18th season, the second longest running football league in U.S. history. With 19 teams (3 more than the 2003 season) opening training camp this week, there is a buzz in the air over this upcoming season.
This buzz is coming from all around. High scoring games (usually over 100 points per game), a fast pace, and affordable pricing help create a fan friendly experience for old and new fans alike. Involvement from both former and current NFL players and owners doesn’t hurt either. Even rock star Jon Bon Jovi has taken on co-ownership of the expansion Philadelphia Soul.
AFL merchandise is being sold nationwide by Champs Sports. Spalding has created a new AFL football to be used during games and NBC will broadcast games each weekend to a nationwide audience for a second season. All of these offseason moves have helped the league to position itself to appeal to an even greater fanbase than it did over the past couple of years. And with continued expansion planned over the next two seasons (two new teams per year), the AFL is primed to take over where the NFL leaves off.
Locally, the Chicago Rush are also looking forward to an exciting AFL season. Having a record of 8-9 last season, and making the playoffs their first three years in the league, this team has some high expectations for itself going into the 2004 season.
Over the offseason, the team signed AFL standouts Raymond Philyaw (QB), William Carr (OL/DL), and Corey Sawyer (DS). The Rush created a local curiosity when they signed FB/LB Casey Urlacher, brother of Brian Urlacher who, of course, is one of the beloved All-Pro linebackers for the Chicago Bears.
Training camp started officially for the Rush on Monday, January 19th and their first game is scheduled for Sunday, February 8th at home against the Grand Rapids Rampage. With 12 other players returning from last year’s team and a new “More Scoring Than” advertising campaign, the Chicago rush are looking to bring an exciting brand of football to an area that is dedicated and lives for nothing else but “Da Bears.”
With an effort like this from a league and a team, all I can say is…
Bring on football season!
Jeff has been writing for ArenaFan.com since 2004. Originally from New York, Jeff has been living in the Chicago area for the past ten years and is an avid football fanatic. He holds a BA in communications from Hofstra University in New York and a sports management certificate from Loyola University in Chicago.
