Kansas City Brigade

AFL team
name =Kansas City Brigade
color1 =black
color2 =#ABCDEF
logo =KansasCityBrigade.pngconference =American
division =Central
founded =2006
arena = Sprint Center (2008-Present)
location =Kansas City, Missouri
coach =Kevin Porter
wild card titles =1:
2007
division titles =none
conference titles =none
ArenaBowl championships =none
owner =Chris Likens,
Neil Smith,
and other co-owners
uniform =
The Kansas City Brigade is a team from the Arena Football League. The team was established before the 2006 season. Former Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Kevin Porter is the head coach of the team.

The team played at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri and has now moved to the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City for the 2008 AFL season and thereafter. The team is owned by a Kansas City local, Chris Likens. One of the most notable co-owners is former Kansas City Chiefs star Neil Smith. Captain Max Runway [ [http://www.kcbrigade.com/max_runway.htm http://www.kcbrigade.com/max_runway.htm] ] was named the mascot of the Brigade in June 2007.

History

After the announcement that the New Orleans VooDoo would suspend operations for the 2006 AFL season due to Hurricane Katrina, the AFL awarded an expansion franchise to Kansas City. On November 21, 2005, the AFL announced that the team would be called the Kansas City Brigade. A stealth bomber, modeled after the B-2 Spirits stationed at nearby Whiteman Air Force Base, would represent the team for its logo. Kevin Porter was named the team's first head coach. They would be placed in the National Conference Southern Division, where they would take New Orleans' spot for the year.

2006 season

On February 19, 2006, after losing their very first three games of their inaugural season, the Brigade finally won their first game 45-24 at home against the Columbus Destroyers. On April 9, 2006, after losing six-straight games, the Brigade finally managed their second win, defeating the Los Angeles Avengers 62-45 at home. On April 22, 2006, the Brigade recorded their first road win in franchise history against the Nashville Kats, winning 58-52. By the end of the 2006 season, the Brigade finished with a record of 3-13, placing them fifth in the National Conference Southern Division.

The 2006 Fan of the Year was Darrin "Wingman" Butler.Fact|date=July 2008

2007 season

With the New Orleans VooDoo returning to the AFL's NC Southern in 2007, the Brigade switched conferences and divisions, as they moved to the AC Central.

On March 4, 2007, in their home-opener, the Brigade defeated the defending Arena Bowl champion Chicago Rush 54-41. The game was broadcast nationally on ABC. The win marked the first time in franchise history that the Brigade were above .500 for the season.

On June 8, the Brigade clinched their first-ever playoff berth with a 47-34 victory over the Columbus Destroyers.

The Brigade finished the regular season with a 10-6 record. While earning the American Conference's #3 seed, the Brigade hosted their first playoff game on June 30, a wild-card matchup, with the American Conference's #6 seed, the Colorado Crush. Unfortunately for the Brigade, they were plagued by injuries and the Crush won 49-42, despite Colorado coming into the game with a 4-game losing streak.

The 2007 Fan of the Year was Tony "Captain Brigade" Lauer.Fact|date=July 2008

2008 season

The 2008 season saw the longest field goal in franchise history (58 yards by Peter Martinez) [http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=9241] .

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Quincy Carter, was named the starter on June 3, 2008. Carter lost all three of his starts. Quarterback D. Bryant was named to the AFL's 2008 All-Rookie Team [http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=awards&award=26.0.1] .

2008 Fan of the Year - Jack "Big Dog" Belcher.

Team by Team Record

eason-by-season

-
2006 || 3 || 13 || 0 || 5th NC Southern || --
-
2007 || 10 || 7 || 0 || 2nd AC Central || Lost Wild Card (Colorado)
-
2008 || 3 || 13 || 0 || 4th AC Central || --
-!Totals || 16 || 33 || 0
colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

Notable players

* Charles Frederick - WR - 2007 AFL Co-Rookie of the Year
* Quincy Carter - QB
* Jerel Myers - WR
* Michael Horacek - WR
* Jerald Brown - DB
* Dawan Moss - FB/LB
* Chris Avery - FB/LB (Released 9/15/2008)
* John Fitzgerald - QB (Released Week 6 of the 2008 season)
* Khalil Carter - DB (Released Week 5 of 2008 season)
* Boo Williams - WR (Released Week 2 of 2008 season)
* Raymond Philyaw - QB (Signed with the Cleveland Gladiators before the 2008 season)
* B. J. Cohen - DL (Signed with the Orlando Predators before 2008 season)
* Kenny McEntyre - DB (Traded to the Orlando Predators before 2008 season)
* Michael Bishop - QB (Traded to the Grand Rapids Rampage during 2007 season)
* Chris Sanders - QB (Released before 2007 season)
* Aaron Boone - WR (Signed with the Utah Blaze after the 2006 season)

Retired numbers

* #90 Neil Smith, team co-owner and former defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and San Diego Chargers.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.kcbrigade.com Official Website]
* [http://www.kcflightcrew.com Kansas City Flight Crew - Brigade Booster Club]
* [http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=clubhouse&team=115 Kansas City Brigade at ArenaFan.com]
* [http://www.myspace.com/captainbrigade 2007 Fan of the Year - Captain Brigade]