The Arizona Rattlers is one of 18 Arena Football teams in the AFL. Here is some history and trivia about the Arizona Rattlers:
- The Rattlers played their first regular game in the Spring of 1992. Danny White, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, and a favorite of Arizona fans since the years he played football for Arizona State University, has been the Head Coach since the team's inception.
- On June 13, 1992 the Rattler won their first home game ever. This was also the first sporting event to be held at the America West Arena in downtown Phoenix.
- The Arizona Rattlers were a hit. They sold out every game of their first season. They were the only arena football team to do so in the history of the AFL.
- In 1993 the Arizona Rattlers played in their first playoffs.
- In 1993 Danny White was named Coach of the Year, and Hunkie Cooper was awarded Most Valuable Player by the league.
- In 1994 the Arizona Rattlers go all the way, winning the Arena Football Championship.
- During the first five seasons that the team played, they filled 98% of the seats at the America West Arena.
- In 1996 the Rattlers break another team record--they won nine games in a row.
- In 1997 Danny White logs his 50th win as an arena football coach.
- In 1998 the popular player Calvin Schexnayder broke three AFL records: most receptions (136), most yards (1,982), and most touchdowns (44, tied mark) in a single season.
- In 2000 Hunkie Cooper sets a record with 17 touchdown returns.
- In 2000 the Arizona Rattlers were undefeated on the road.
- In 2001 Hunkie Cooper broke the 10,000 yard mark for career kickoff return yards.
- In 2002 the Rattlers earn their third trip to the championship ArenaBowl, but they lost.
- In 2003 the Arizona Rattlers set an arena football record by having two consecutive games where they scored more than 80 points.
- In 2003 the Arizona Rattler try the ArenaBowl again, but once again, they are not the winners.
- Could 2004 be the year? I guess not. The San Jose Sabercats handed the Rattlers their third ArenaBowl defeat.
- In 2004 we marked the end of an era, when Danny White's contract was not renewed. Danny spent 13 years as Coach and General Manager of the Rattlers.
- In 2005 the Rattlers retire Hunkie Cooper’s #14. That was the first Rattler's number to ever be retired.
- Sherdrick Bonner became the fourth quarterback in AFL history to throw 700 touchdowns in 2006. In that same year, the Rattlers set a team franchise record for most points scored in a half with 47, and the largest margin of victory in a 75-28 win over Las Vegas.
- Kevin Guy was named the Rattlers' Head Coach in the 2007 off-season. Guy previously spent two seasons with the San Jose Sabercats (2007 Arena Bowl champs).
- After the 2008 season the Arizona Rattlers files for bankruptcy, as did the Arena Football League. Season ticket holders were offered a credit toward any future season.
- There were no arena football games played in 2009.
- A new league was formed, and a new team in Arizona, using the same name as the previous team, was formed naming Danny White as Team President and Kevin Guy as Head Coach.
- In 2010 the Arizona rattlers Rod Windsor was named AFL Rookie of the Year and Danny White was named Assistant Coach of the Year.
- The Arizona Rattlers had a record of 18 wins and 3 losses in 2011 and worked their way to the ArenaBowl XXIV Championship. They lost to the Jacksonville Sharks with a score of 73-70.
Arizona Rattlers Facts and Trivia
Arizona Rattlers Current Schedule and Ticket Info
Map and Directions to US Airways Center
Seating Chart for the US Airways Center
