Arena Football Hall of Fame
Established1998
Websitewww.arenafootball.com/hallfame

The Arena Football Hall of Fame is the official Hall of Fame of the Arena Football League (AFL). The inaugural class was announced in 1998 and the Hall was not formally organized until 2011. Prior to 2011, there were four classes: 1998–2000 and then another in 2002. The Arena Football Hall of Fame is the highest honor for players, coaches, and contributors involved in the AFL. The voting process consists of fans and current Hall of Fame members voting on the finalists. The finalists are selected by the League Office in which they collect ballots from the Arena Football Hall of Fame Advisory Board, a group which consisted of former players, executives, journalists and media personnel with a long-time involvement in the league.[1][2] The league began to decline in 2015, so no Hall of Fame announcements have been made since this year. The league folded for a second time in 2019. After the league's second closure, ArenaFan, a long-running fan site, announced it had taken over operations of the Arena Football Hall of Fame.[3]

Qualifications

In order to be nominated for the Arena Football Hall of Fame, a candidate must meet at least one of four criteria (as of 2015, depending upon whether he is being considered as a player, a coach, or a contributor). A player who has played after the 1989 season must have played a minimum of three seasons. A player must be retired for a minimum of three full seasons. A coach must have been active for a minimum of five seasons but does not need to be retired. There is no minimum number of seasons required for contributors but rather contribution to the significant advancement of the AFL.[4]

Location

There is currently no physical location for the Arena Football Hall of Fame. Unlike the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there is not a museum associated with Arena Football, but there is, however, within the Pro Football Hall of Fame a relatively small exhibit that features the history of the Arena Football League.[5]

Ceremony and Hall of Fame Game

Much like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Arena Football League has a weekend dedicated to the inductees and during a selected Hall of Fame Game the inductees will partake in a Hall of Fame ceremony. This ceremony takes place prior to the game and will feature highlights as well as speeches from each of the inductees. Recent Hall of Fame Games were aired on CBS Sports Network prior to the termination of the league's agreement with CBSN following the 2018 season.[6]

Inductees

The list is complete up to date 2014 Hall of Fame class.

Biographies and statistics can be referenced at the Hall of Fame web site.[7]
Inductee Class Position Team(s) Years
Dwayne Dixon1998Wide receiver/Defensive backWashington Commandos1987
Detroit Drive1988–1991
Jim Foster1998League Founder/Executive, Commissioner, Team Owner/PresidentN/AN/A
Commissioner1987–1992
Iowa Barnstormers1995–2001
Jerry Kurz1998League Co-Founder/Executive, Commissioner, PresidentN/AN/A
CEO (AF2)2004–2009
Commissioner2010–2014
President2015–present
Tim Marcum1998Head CoachDenver Dynamite1987
Detroit Drive1988–1989, 1991–1993
Tampa Bay Storm1995–2010
Kansas City Command2011
New Orleans VooDoo (AHC)2012
Orlando Predators (AHC/DC)2013
Gary Mullen1998Wide receiver/Defensive backDenver Dynamite1987
Los Angeles Cobras1988
Detroit Drive1989–1992
Cincinnati Rockers1993
Milwaukee Mustangs1995
Tate Randle1998Defensive SpecialistDetroit Drive1988, 1990–1992
Alvin Rettig1998Fullback/LinebackerDetroit Drive1988–1993
Craig Walls1998Offensive lineman/Defensive linemanPittsburgh Gladiators1987–1988
Jay Gruden1999QuarterbackTampa Bay Storm1991–1996
Orlando Predators2002–2003
Durwood "Rock" Roquemore1999Defensive SpecialistChicago Bruisers1987–1988
Albany Firebirds1990
Orlando Predators1991–1996
Jon Roehlk[8]1999Offensive lineman/Defensive linemanWashington Commandos1987
Detroit Drive1988–1993
Miami Hooters1994
Iowa Barnstormers1995–1996
Gary Vitto1999General ManagerDetroit Drive1988–1993
Ben Bennett2000QuarterbackChicago Bruisers1988–1989
Dallas Texans1990
Orlando Predators1991–1995
San Jose SaberCats1996
Portland Forest Dragons1997
Carl Aikens2000Wide receiver/Defensive backChicago Bruisers1988–1989
Dallas Texans1990–1991
Orlando Predators1992–1993
Milwaukee Mustangs1994
Hercules "Herkie" Walls2000Wide receiver/Defensive backOrlando Predators1991–1996
Joe March2000Offensive lineman/Defensive linemanDenver Dynamite1991
Sacramento Attack1992
Milwaukee Mustangs1993
Tampa Bay Storm1993–1996
Nashville Kats1997
Perry Moss2000Head CoachChicago Bruisers1988
Detroit Drive1990
Orlando Predators1991–1997
Glenn Mazula2000Team OwnerAlbany/Indiana Firebirds1990–2002
Danny White2002Head CoachArizona Rattlers1992–2004
Utah Blaze2006–2008
Mike Ilitch2002Team OwnerDetroit Drive1988–1993
John Corker2002Offensive lineman/Defensive linemanDetroit Drive1988–1993
Miami Hooters1994–1995
Fred Gayles2002Wide receiver/Defensive backDenver Dynamite1989
Albany Firebirds1990–1997
New York CityHawks1997
Grand Rapids Rampage1998
Reggie Smith2002Offensive SpecialistChicago Bruisers1987–1989
Albany Firebirds1990
Orlando Predators1991
Barry Wagner2011Wide receiver/Defensive backOrlando Predators1992–1999, 2007
San Jose SaberCats2000–2006
George LaFrance2011Offensive SpecialistDetroit Drive1988–1993
Tampa Bay Storm1994–1999
New Jersey Red Dogs2000
Hunkie Cooper2011Wide receiver/LinebackerArizona Rattlers1993–2005
Eddie Brown2011Offensive SpecialistAlbany/Indiana Firebirds1994–2003
Sylvester Bembery2011Offensive lineman/Defensive linemanNew England Steamrollers1988
Albany Firebirds1990–1993
Tampa Bay Storm1994–1999, 2001
Buffalo Destroyers2000
Kurt Warner2011QuarterbackIowa Barnstormers1995–1997
Stevie Thomas2011Wide receiver/LinebackerTampa Bay Storm1991–1999
Orlando Predators2000
New Jersey Gladiators2001
Sam Hernandez2011Offensive lineman/Defensive linemanCharlotte Rage1992
Las Vegas Sting/Anaheim Piranhas1994–1997
San Jose SaberCats1998–2005
Darren Arbet2011Head CoachSan Jose SaberCats1999–2008, 2010–present
Gene Nudo2011ExecutiveChicago Bruisers/AFL League Office/Arizona Rattlers/Dallas Vigilantes/ Chicago Rush1987-2011
Sherdrick Bonner2012QuarterbackArizona Rattlers1993–2007
Chicago Rush2008
Mike Dailey2012Head CoachAlbany/Indiana Firebirds1997–2003
Colorado Crush2004–2008
Clint Dolezel[9]2012QuarterbackMilwaukee Mustangs1995–1996
Texas Terror/Houston ThunderBears1997–1999
Grand Rapids Rampage2001–2003
Las Vegas Gladiators2004–2005
Dallas Desperados2006–2008
Randy Gatewood2012Wide receiver/Defensive backArizona Rattlers1996–2007
Mike Hohensee2012Head CoachWashington Commandos1990
Albany Firebirds1994–1996
Anaheim Piranhas1997
New England Sea Wolves1999–2000
Chicago Rush2001–2008, 2010
Peoria Pirates (AF2)2009
Philadelphia Soul2011
Iowa Barnstormers2012–2014
Portland Thunder2015
William Niro2012League Co-Founder/ExecutiveN/AN/A
Cory Fleming[10]2013Wide receiver/LinebackerNashville Kats1994–1995, 2006
Carolina Cobras2002
Orlando Predators2003–2005
Darryl Hammond2013Wide receiver/LinebackerAlbany Firebirds1991–1994
St. Louis Stampede1995–1996
Nashville Kats1997–2001, 2005–2006
Georgia Force2003–2004
Austin Wranglers2004
Greg Hopkins2013Wide receiver/LinebackerAlbany/Indiana Firebirds1996–2001
Los Angeles Avengers2002–2006
Bob McMillen2013Fullback/LinebackerArizona Rattlers1995–2001
San Jose SaberCats2001–2002
Chicago Rush2003–2007
Carl Paganelli2013Official/Adviser/ContributorN/AN/A
Lawrence Samuels2013Wide receiver/LinebackerTampa Bay Storm1994–2000, 2002–2010
New Jersey Gladiators2001
Andre Bowden2014Fullback/LinebackerTampa Bay Storm1991–1993, 1997–2001, 2003–2004
Carolina Cobras2002
Damian Harrell2014Wide receiverNew England Sea Wolves/Toronto Phantoms1999–2002
Colorado Crush2003–2007
Chicago Rush2008
Milwaukee Mustangs2010–2011
Kyle Moore-Brown2014Offensive lineman/Defensive linemanAlbany/Indiana Firebirds1995–2003
Colorado Crush2004–2008
Omarr Smith2014Wide receiver/Defensive backSan Jose SaberCats2000–2002, 2004–2008
Tampa Bay Storm2003

Class of 2015 Finalists:[11]

These were the finalists for the 2015 Hall of Fame class; however, this was the year that began the decline of the league until its second bankruptcy in 2019. No future Hall of Fame announcements have been made since 2015.

AF2 Hall of Fame Inductees

With the dissolvement of the AF2 developmental league, there was a single class of ten members inducted into the AF2 Hall of Fame. While this league was owned and run by the AFL, a separate Hall of Fame was created. AFL and AF2 creators Jim Foster and Jerry Kurz are the only members of both Halls. This Hall was designed to recognize individuals who significantly impacted the AF2. While some members have been involved with AFL teams, this group was inducted based only on their contributions to the AF2. No members have been inducted beyond the inaugural class.[12]

Inductee Class Position Team(s) Years
Mitch Allner2009Wide receiver/Defensive back, Head coachQuad City Steamwheelers2000
Iowa Barnstormers2001
Tulsa Talons2002–?
2007–2011 (HC)
Jim Foster2009League Founder/Executive, Team Owner/PresidentN/A2000–2009
Iowa Barnstormers1995–2001
Quad City Steamwheelers2000–2009
Skip Foster2009Head coachTulsa Talons2000–2003
Austin Wranglers (AFL)2004–2006
Kevin Guy2009Head coachNew Jersey Red Dogs (AFL)2003
Tennessee Valley Vipers2002–2004
Rio Grande Valley Dorados2005
Arizona Rattlers (AFL / IFL)2008–present
Rich Ingold2009Head coachQuad City Steamwheelers2002–2004
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers2006–2009
Dallas Vigilantes (AFL)2010
Jerry Kurz2009League Co-founder/Executive, Commissioner, PresidentN/A2000–2009
CEO2004–2009
Dan Newman2009Owner/Team president, Team chairman, League executiveBossier-Shreveport Battle Wings2003–2010
New Orleans VooDoo (AFL)2011–2015
Jim Foster2009Offensive specialistCarolina Cobras (AFL)2002
Memphis Xplorers2003–2005
Las Vegas Gladiators (AFL)2006–2007
Matthew Sauk2009QuarterbackTennessee Valley Vipers2001, 2003
Los Angeles Avengers (AFL)2001
Louisville Fire2004–2005
Philadelphia Soul (AFL)2006
Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL)2007
Arizona Rattlers (AFL)2008
Craig Strickland2009QuarterbackTulsa Talons2000–2001, 2003
Dallas Desperados (AFL)2004
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz2004–2006

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Joe DeLamielleure was the first Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee to ever play with an Arena Football Team; as an apparent publicity stunt, he played two games for the Charlotte Rage in the 1992 season, seven years after he had retired from professional football.[13]

Kurt Warner, who played three seasons with the Iowa Barnstormers from 1995 to 1997 and was inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame in 2011, is the first player with substantial arena football experience to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as the first to be inducted into both halls. Warner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

The ownership group of the Colorado Crush has also been inducted: John Elway was inducted as a player in 2004, while Pat Bowlen was inducted as an owner in 2019. Both Elway and Bowlen were inducted almost entirely for their contributions to the NFL's Denver Broncos.

Indoor Football League Hall of Fame

The Indoor Football League Hall of Fame is the corresponding Hall of Fame for the Indoor Football League. While both the IFL and AFL Hall of Fames represent indoor football leagues, they are both separate. There are no members that have been enshrined into both Halls, nor have any members of the AFL Hall played in the IFL. There have been a few members of the IFL Hall of Fame that have played in the AFL, such as Chris Dixon, Lionell Singleton, Jameel Sewell, and Myniya Smith, but none had contributed enough to the AFL to earn entry into the Hall. However, there are some instances of former AFL teams that have been integrated into the IFL that have members enshrined for their tenure within the new league. The Green Bay Blizzard, Texas Revolution, and Tri-Cities Fever are former members of the AF2, but have since moved to the IFL. The Blizzard have had running back LaRon Council, defensive back/kick returner B. J. Hill, head coach Robert Fuller, quarterback Jameel Sewell, and wide receiver Bryan Pray enshrined. Lionell Singleton from the Fever has been enshrined. Javicz Jones from the Revolution has been enshrined. The Iowa Barnstormers have moved from the AFL to the IFL and have had linebacker Javicz Jones and wide receiver Bryan Pray enshrined. Bryan Pray has also played for the Spokane Shock when they were in the IFL, but were known as the Spokane Empire then. Kevin Guy was inducted into the AF2 Hall of Fame and is still actively coaching in the IFL. Guy has made a prolific career in three separate indoor football leagues.

Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Only two players in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame have contributed to the Arena Football league; however, neither had a great enough contribution to be inducted in both Halls. Joe Kapp was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame as a player in 1984 and coached for the Sacramento Attack in the AFL for the 1992 season. Bobby Jurasin was inducted in 2006 as a player and played with the Iowa Barnstormers for the 1999 season, unfortunately this was his last professional football season as he sustained a neck injury and was forced to retire.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Hall of Fame Voting Officially Opens". Arena Football. July 14, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Arena Football Hall of Fame Advisory Board Announced". arenafootball.com. June 5, 2014. Archived from the original on July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Press Releases: Arena Football Hall of Fame Makes Return (press release) | ArenaFan.com". www.arenafan.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Hall of Fame Voting Officially Opens". Arena Football League. July 14, 2015. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Hall of Fame features exhibit on Arena Football League". ESPN. March 2, 2007. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  6. ↑ "HYDRIVE Arena Football Hall of Fame Weekend Set to Kick Off Friday". Tampa Bay Storm. April 17, 2014. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Hall of Fame". Arenafootball.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Ex-Hawkeye, arena football pioneer Roehlk dies". The Quad City Times. March 16, 2016. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  9. ↑ "After HOF career, Clint Dolezel finds success as coach". csnphilly.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  10. ↑ Organ, Mike (April 26, 2014). "Kats' Cory Fleming goes to Arena Football Hall of Fame". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  11. ↑ "AFL Announces 2015 Arena Football Hall of Fame Finalists". Arena Football. July 11, 2015. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  12. ↑ "af2 Hall of Fame". ArenaFan. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  13. ↑ "1992-1996 Charlotte Rage". Funwhileitlasted.com. December 11, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
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