Chicago Rush
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Rush is an arena football
team based in Rosemont, Illinois
. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League
. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka
, the Hall of Fame
player and coach.
The Rush have qualified for the playoffs every season of its existence, and won one AFL championship, ArenaBowl XX
in 2006. Chicago won its division five times and advanced to the AFL Conference Championship six times, including four consecutive appearances from 2004 to 2007.
The Rush play its home games at Allstate Arena
in Rosemont and the team practice facilities are in Palatine, Illinois
.
, northwest of Chicago
and near O'Hare International Airport
, the team plays its home games in neighboring Rosemont, Illinois
at Allstate Arena
(formerly known as the Rosemont Horizon), the same venue previously used by the Chicago Bruisers
, one of the four original Arena Football League teams. While in the AFL, the Rush competed in the Central Division of the American Conference. Former Chicago Bears
coach and player Mike Ditka
is a co-owner of the team.
appearance. Mike Hohensee
was the franchise's first coach, and he remained the Rush's only coach until becoming the head coach of the Philadelphia Soul
in 2011. One year after, Hohensee left the Soul to coach the Iowa Barnstormers.
In their inaugural year (2001), the Rush finished the regular season 7–7 and won their very first playoff game, beating the Orlando Predators
41–26, but lost to the eventual ArenaBowl XV
champion Grand Rapids Rampage
53–21. The team featured young players that would become Rush fixtures and fan favorites in the years to come, such as quarterback Billy Dicken, Joe Douglass, Damien Porter and Jamie McGourty, and Riley Kleinhesselink, Cedric Walker, and Anthony Ladd.
In 2002, the Rush won the Central division with a 9–5 record and received a bye in the playoffs. Dicken returned at quarterback and Chicago added Antonio Chatman
who was named to the All-Rookie team as the team's main wide receiver and return man. Chicago added defensive linemen John Moyer
and James Baron
. They defeated the Dallas Desperados
60–47, but fell in the semifinals to the Arizona Rattlers
46–35.
In 2003, the AFL expanded from 14 games to 16. Dicken was the team's quarterback, but missed time after breaking his jaw in the middle of the season. Antonio Chatman
broke Rush franchise records for All-Purpose and Return Yards. He caught 123 passes for 1,636 yards and 29 touchdowns. On special teams, he netted 2,062 return yards and got into the end zone seven times. Chicago also signed DeJuan Alfonzo
early in the season from the Indiana Firebirds
. Alfonzo would be with the team until 2010. Chicago also signed FB/LB Bob McMillen
, who would play with the team until 2007 and became the Rush's head coach in 2011. After starting the season 0–3, the Rush finished 8–5 and got into the playoffs as a Wild Card Team. But to make the postseason, Chicago needed to defeat the Indiana Firebirds
on the final day of the regular season, the Rush won 46–43, in overtime. For the first time in franchise history, Chicago did not win a playoff game, and fell in the Wild Card Game to the New York Dragons
48–45. After the season, Chatman went to the NFL, signing with the Green Bay Packers
.
In 2004, the Rush signed Raymond Philyaw
as its franchise quarterback. Philyaw was known for his efficiently and record touchdown-interception ratio, a crucial stat in the AFL, where turnovers are key. In 2004, Philyaw threw just four interceptions. Chicago started the year 4–0, its best start in franchise history. The Rush won the Central division with an 11–5 record. They won their first round game 59–49 over the Orlando Predators
, but they fell in the semifinals to the eventual ArenaBowl XVIII
champion San Jose SaberCats
49–35. Chicago led early in the game, but Philyaw tore his ACL on a scramble, and the Rush could not overtime the injury.
In 2005, they went to the AFL playoffs as the #3 seed in the American Conference. They won the conference semifinal over the Los Angeles Avengers
52–45, but ended up losing the American Conference Championship Game to the eventual ArenaBowl XIX
Champion Colorado Crush
in overtime, with a final score of 49–43. That game became known as the "Confetti Game", due to an arena employee firing a confetti cannon prematurely, when the game was extended due to a defensive penalty on the final play. After a ten minute delay to clean the confetti, the Rush were able to tie the game on the untimed down, forcing the overtime period.
In the off-season, signed former Heisman Trophy
finalist Michael Bishop and Matt D'Orazio
to fight to be the team's starting quarterback, and D'Orazio got the game. During the regular season, Chicago started the year at 0–2, but during the season, the Rush picked up defensive back Jeremy Unertl
and offensive specialist Bobby Sippio
. Both made huge impacts on their respective sides of the ball.
With a 5–9 record, the Rush won its last two games of the regular season to get a playoff spot.In the playoffs, the Rush managed to pull off key upsets. In the Wild Card Round, the Rush defeated the fourth-seeded Nashville Kats
55–47. In the Divisional Round, Chicago managed to pull off a huge upset by taking down the defending champion Colorado Crush
, 63–46. In the Conference Championship they upset the second-seeded San Jose SaberCats
59–56, giving the Rush their very first ArenaBowl appearance in franchise history.
In ArenaBowl XX
, the Rush defeated the Orlando Predators
, 69–61, to give Chicago their first Arena Bowl title. Quarterback Matt D'Orazio was Offensive Player of the Game, wide receiver/defensive back Dennison Robinson took Defensive Player of the Game honors, and fullback/linebacker Bob McMillen was named the Ironman of the Game. With the win, the Rush became the first team with a losing regular-season record to win a championship in any sport since the 1937–38 Chicago Blackhawks
.
. They defeated the L.A. Avengers on June 9, 2007 in the divisional finals. They then played the San Jose SaberCats
for the conference final, yet they came up short losing 61–49.
In 2008, the Rush made a free agency splash by signing AFL legends Sherdrick Bonner
and Damian Harrell
. The Rush opened its 2008 campaign against the defending ArenaBowl XXI
champion San Jose Sabercats
. Chicago convincingly defeated the Sabercats 70–47 in front of 15,409 fans at the Allstate Arena
. Injuries allowed Russ Michna
to become the team's starter over Bonner. Harrell, Donovan Morgan, and Travis LaTendresse would all post 1,000-yard receiving seasons. En route to an 11–5 season, Chicago locked up the conference's top seed and home field advantage for the entire playoffs. It was the first time Chicago had home field advantage and the Rush had never lost a home playoff game, going 3–0. The Grand Rapids Rampage
drew Chicago in the divisional round. The Rampage finished the regular season 6–10 but stunned the Rush and 14,338 fans 58–41. The Rampage would lose a week later to the Sabercats at the HP Pavilion.
suspended operations to refinance and restructure its business plan. After a one-year layoff, the AFL and Chicago Rush returned in 2010 with a single entity model.
The 2010 Rush roster would feature many new faces. However, former Rush players quarterback
Russ Michna
, jack linebacker/wide receiver DeJuan Alfonzo
, and linemen Joe Peters, Robert Boss
, and Beau Elliot rejoined the team. Also on the roster was wide receiver
Samie Parker
who played for the Kansas City Chiefs
, Thaddeus Coleman
, and kicker Chris Gould, whose brother Robbie Gould
plays for the Chicago Bears
.
Chicago returned to the field on April 2, 2010 on the road against the Iowa Barnstormers
. The game was broadcast on the NFL Network
and Chicago won 61–43. The Rush began the season 4–0 and were in first place in the division at 10–4. However, the team lost its last two games, first to the 1–13 Dallas Vigilantes
and then closed out the year on the road losing to the Spokane Shock
. It cost the team a chance at the division title and forced the team to go on the road for the playoffs. The team ended the regular season at 10–6, and lost to the Milwaukee Mustangs
(then Milwaukee Iron) in the playoffs.
replaced Mike Hohensee
to become the team's second head coach in team history, and Russ Michna
returned at quarterback. Chicago finished the regular season with a 13-5 record and finished first in the Central Division. It was the most regular season wins in Rush history, breaking the 2007 team's 12-4 mark. Defensive back Vic Hall
broke AFL record for interceptions in a season with 15, doing it as a rookie. The Rush defense led the league in points allowed (46.3 per game) and broke league records for the most turnovers (56) and interceptions (42) in a season. Wide receiver Reggie Gray
finished the year with the most catches (130) and receiving yards (1,969) in franchise history, and tied the Rush record with 53 total touchdowns. Bobby Sippio
held the old records. The Rush ended the season by losing to the Arizona Rattlers in the National Conference Championship Game.
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
team based in Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States located immediately northwest of Chicago. The village was incorporated in 1956, though it had been settled long before that...
. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
, the Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
player and coach.
The Rush have qualified for the playoffs every season of its existence, and won one AFL championship, ArenaBowl XX
ArenaBowl XX
ArenaBowl XX, held on Sunday, June 11, 2006, was played to determine the championship of the 2006 season of the Arena Football League. For the second consecutive year, the game was played at the neutral site of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It pitted the National Conference...
in 2006. Chicago won its division five times and advanced to the AFL Conference Championship six times, including four consecutive appearances from 2004 to 2007.
The Rush play its home games at Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and...
in Rosemont and the team practice facilities are in Palatine, Illinois
Palatine, Illinois
Palatine is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is a northwestern residential suburb of Chicago. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 65,479, making it the sixth-largest community in Cook County and the 16th-largest in the state of Illinois at that time...
.
Founding
The Rush made its AFL debut in 2001. Although their administrative offices are based in Des Plaines, IllinoisDes Plaines, Illinois
Des Plaines is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It has adopted the official nickname of "City of Destiny." As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,720. It is a suburb of Chicago, and is next to O'Hare International Airport...
, northwest of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and near O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
, the team plays its home games in neighboring Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States located immediately northwest of Chicago. The village was incorporated in 1956, though it had been settled long before that...
at Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and...
(formerly known as the Rosemont Horizon), the same venue previously used by the Chicago Bruisers
Chicago Bruisers
The Chicago Bruisers were a charter member of the Arena Football League, playing in the four-team "demonstration season" of 1987. They played their home games in the former Rosemont Horizon, now the Allstate Arena, home of the Chicago Rush.-History:...
, one of the four original Arena Football League teams. While in the AFL, the Rush competed in the Central Division of the American Conference. Former Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
coach and player Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
is a co-owner of the team.
2001–2005
The Rush have made the playoffs every year in the franchise's short history, and so far, they have made one ArenaBowlArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
appearance. Mike Hohensee
Mike Hohensee
Michael Louis Hohensee is an American Arena Football League coach who is regarded as one of the best coaches in the history of the AFL. He was hired to guide the Soul's resumption of play after a two-year hiatus starting in 2011. He resigned on July 27, 2011...
was the franchise's first coach, and he remained the Rush's only coach until becoming the head coach of the Philadelphia Soul
Philadelphia Soul
The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII...
in 2011. One year after, Hohensee left the Soul to coach the Iowa Barnstormers.
In their inaugural year (2001), the Rush finished the regular season 7–7 and won their very first playoff game, beating the Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
41–26, but lost to the eventual ArenaBowl XV
ArenaBowl XV
- Game summary :The Grand Rapids Rampage scored an ArenaBowl-record 64 points as they sent a sellout crowd home from Van Andel Arena happy with a 64-42 victory over the Nashville Kats to claim their first ArenaBowl title in team history....
champion Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
53–21. The team featured young players that would become Rush fixtures and fan favorites in the years to come, such as quarterback Billy Dicken, Joe Douglass, Damien Porter and Jamie McGourty, and Riley Kleinhesselink, Cedric Walker, and Anthony Ladd.
In 2002, the Rush won the Central division with a 9–5 record and received a bye in the playoffs. Dicken returned at quarterback and Chicago added Antonio Chatman
Antonio Chatman
Antonio Tavaras Chatman is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
who was named to the All-Rookie team as the team's main wide receiver and return man. Chicago added defensive linemen John Moyer
John Moyer
John Moyer is the bassist and back up vocalist for the heavy metal band Disturbed, replacing their former bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak...
and James Baron
James Baron
James Baron is an arena football defensive lineman who is currently a free agent in the Arena Football League. He was the Arena Football League Players Association's president as well....
. They defeated the Dallas Desperados
Dallas Desperados
The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008....
60–47, but fell in the semifinals to the Arizona Rattlers
Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...
46–35.
In 2003, the AFL expanded from 14 games to 16. Dicken was the team's quarterback, but missed time after breaking his jaw in the middle of the season. Antonio Chatman
Antonio Chatman
Antonio Tavaras Chatman is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
broke Rush franchise records for All-Purpose and Return Yards. He caught 123 passes for 1,636 yards and 29 touchdowns. On special teams, he netted 2,062 return yards and got into the end zone seven times. Chicago also signed DeJuan Alfonzo
DeJuan Alfonzo
DeJuan R. Alfonzo is an American football wide receiver/linebacker for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League . Alfonzo attended Indiana State University.-College and NFL career:...
early in the season from the Indiana Firebirds
Indiana Firebirds
The Indiana Firebirds were a team in the Arena Football League.The team was based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Home games were played at the Conseco Fieldhouse, also the home of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association and Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball...
. Alfonzo would be with the team until 2010. Chicago also signed FB/LB Bob McMillen
Bob McMillen (American football)
Robert James "Bob" McMillen, Jr. is an American Arena Football League coach for the Chicago Rush. He is a retired Arena football player, formerly a Fullback/Linebacker for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.-Early years:McMillen attended Immaculate Conception High School where he...
, who would play with the team until 2007 and became the Rush's head coach in 2011. After starting the season 0–3, the Rush finished 8–5 and got into the playoffs as a Wild Card Team. But to make the postseason, Chicago needed to defeat the Indiana Firebirds
Indiana Firebirds
The Indiana Firebirds were a team in the Arena Football League.The team was based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Home games were played at the Conseco Fieldhouse, also the home of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association and Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball...
on the final day of the regular season, the Rush won 46–43, in overtime. For the first time in franchise history, Chicago did not win a playoff game, and fell in the Wild Card Game to the New York Dragons
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
48–45. After the season, Chatman went to the NFL, signing with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
.
In 2004, the Rush signed Raymond Philyaw
Raymond Philyaw
Raymond Philyaw is an arena football quarterback who currently plays for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings in the Arena Football League league...
as its franchise quarterback. Philyaw was known for his efficiently and record touchdown-interception ratio, a crucial stat in the AFL, where turnovers are key. In 2004, Philyaw threw just four interceptions. Chicago started the year 4–0, its best start in franchise history. The Rush won the Central division with an 11–5 record. They won their first round game 59–49 over the Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
, but they fell in the semifinals to the eventual ArenaBowl XVIII
ArenaBowl XVIII
ArenaBowl XVIII saw the San Jose SaberCats and Arizona Rattlers competing for the 2004 Arena Football League championship. Until 2010, this game marked the last time the ArenaBowl was held at the home arena of the higher-seeded team, rather than a neutral site, and 17,391 fans packed the sold-out...
champion San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
49–35. Chicago led early in the game, but Philyaw tore his ACL on a scramble, and the Rush could not overtime the injury.
In 2005, they went to the AFL playoffs as the #3 seed in the American Conference. They won the conference semifinal over the Los Angeles Avengers
Los Angeles Avengers
The Los Angeles Avengers was an Arena Football League team based in Los Angeles, California from 2000 through 2008. They folded on April 19, 2009.-History:...
52–45, but ended up losing the American Conference Championship Game to the eventual ArenaBowl XIX
ArenaBowl XIX
ArenaBowl XIX was the 2005 championship game of the Arena Football League , and was played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first-ever neutral-site title game in AFL history drew 10,822 fans to see the Colorado Crush defeat the Georgia Force 51–48 to claim the Foster ArenaBowl...
Champion Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009...
in overtime, with a final score of 49–43. That game became known as the "Confetti Game", due to an arena employee firing a confetti cannon prematurely, when the game was extended due to a defensive penalty on the final play. After a ten minute delay to clean the confetti, the Rush were able to tie the game on the untimed down, forcing the overtime period.
2006: ArenaBowl XX champions
In 2006, despite their first losing record of 7–9, the Rush got into the playoffs, receiving the #5 seed in the American Conference.In the off-season, signed former Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
finalist Michael Bishop and Matt D'Orazio
Matt D'Orazio
Matthew Louis D’Orazio is a professional American football quarterback Free Agent. He played college football at Otterbein College....
to fight to be the team's starting quarterback, and D'Orazio got the game. During the regular season, Chicago started the year at 0–2, but during the season, the Rush picked up defensive back Jeremy Unertl
Jeremy Unertl
Jeremy Dale Unertl is an safety with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
and offensive specialist Bobby Sippio
Bobby Sippio
Robert Lee "Bobby" Sippio, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Peoria Pirates in 2002...
. Both made huge impacts on their respective sides of the ball.
With a 5–9 record, the Rush won its last two games of the regular season to get a playoff spot.In the playoffs, the Rush managed to pull off key upsets. In the Wild Card Round, the Rush defeated the fourth-seeded Nashville Kats
Nashville Kats
The Nashville Kats were an Arena Football League team, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were last coached by Pat Sperduto, who coached the team's original incarnation to two ArenaBowl appearances prior to the original franchise's move to Atlanta in 2002...
55–47. In the Divisional Round, Chicago managed to pull off a huge upset by taking down the defending champion Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009...
, 63–46. In the Conference Championship they upset the second-seeded San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
59–56, giving the Rush their very first ArenaBowl appearance in franchise history.
In ArenaBowl XX
ArenaBowl XX
ArenaBowl XX, held on Sunday, June 11, 2006, was played to determine the championship of the 2006 season of the Arena Football League. For the second consecutive year, the game was played at the neutral site of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It pitted the National Conference...
, the Rush defeated the Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
, 69–61, to give Chicago their first Arena Bowl title. Quarterback Matt D'Orazio was Offensive Player of the Game, wide receiver/defensive back Dennison Robinson took Defensive Player of the Game honors, and fullback/linebacker Bob McMillen was named the Ironman of the Game. With the win, the Rush became the first team with a losing regular-season record to win a championship in any sport since the 1937–38 Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
.
2007–2008
In 2007 the team won the American Conference Central Division with a record of 12–4. D'Orazio was the team's quarterback and Bobby Sippio, in his first full season with the Rush caught 125 passes for 1,742 yards and 53 passes. After the season, Sippio would sign with the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. They defeated the L.A. Avengers on June 9, 2007 in the divisional finals. They then played the San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
for the conference final, yet they came up short losing 61–49.
In 2008, the Rush made a free agency splash by signing AFL legends Sherdrick Bonner
Sherdrick Bonner
Sherdrick Bonner is a former Arena football quarterback who is currently the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Rush in the Arena Football League.-High school years:...
and Damian Harrell
Damian Harrell
Damian Deron Harrell is an arena football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the Arena Football League. He played college football at Florida State University....
. The Rush opened its 2008 campaign against the defending ArenaBowl XXI
ArenaBowl XXI
ArenaBowl XXI was the 2007 championship game of the Arena Football League and was played at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, July 29, 2007. It was the third-ever neutral site title game in league's history and the first held in the state of Louisiana...
champion San Jose Sabercats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
. Chicago convincingly defeated the Sabercats 70–47 in front of 15,409 fans at the Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and...
. Injuries allowed Russ Michna
Russ Michna
Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
to become the team's starter over Bonner. Harrell, Donovan Morgan, and Travis LaTendresse would all post 1,000-yard receiving seasons. En route to an 11–5 season, Chicago locked up the conference's top seed and home field advantage for the entire playoffs. It was the first time Chicago had home field advantage and the Rush had never lost a home playoff game, going 3–0. The Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
drew Chicago in the divisional round. The Rampage finished the regular season 6–10 but stunned the Rush and 14,338 fans 58–41. The Rampage would lose a week later to the Sabercats at the HP Pavilion.
2009: Arena Football League restructuring
In 2009, the Arena Football LeagueArena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
suspended operations to refinance and restructure its business plan. After a one-year layoff, the AFL and Chicago Rush returned in 2010 with a single entity model.
The rebirth: 2010
On December 10, 2009, it was announced that the Rush will be returning for 2010 under new ownership as a member of Arena Football 1. The ownership obtained the rights to the name after a court auction granted the AF1 control of the AFL's assets. Two months later, the AF1 decided to adopt the former Arena Football League name.The 2010 Rush roster would feature many new faces. However, former Rush players quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Russ Michna
Russ Michna
Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
, jack linebacker/wide receiver DeJuan Alfonzo
DeJuan Alfonzo
DeJuan R. Alfonzo is an American football wide receiver/linebacker for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League . Alfonzo attended Indiana State University.-College and NFL career:...
, and linemen Joe Peters, Robert Boss
Robert Boss
Robert L. Boss is an American football offensive lineman/defensive lineman for the Arena Football League's Chicago Rush. In the 2006 season, he played for the af2's Green Bay Blizzard...
, and Beau Elliot rejoined the team. Also on the roster was wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Samie Parker
Samie Parker
Samie Jabar Parker is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
who played for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, Thaddeus Coleman
Thaddeus Coleman
Thaddeus Coleman is an American football offensive lineman for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, and kicker Chris Gould, whose brother Robbie Gould
Robbie Gould
Robert Paul "Robbie" Gould III is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State...
plays for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Chicago returned to the field on April 2, 2010 on the road against the Iowa Barnstormers
Iowa Barnstormers
The Iowa Barnstormers are an arena football team based in Des Moines, Iowa. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 following the organization's restructuring...
. The game was broadcast on the NFL Network
NFL Network
NFL Network is an American television specialty channel owned and operated by the National Football League . It was launched November 4, 2003, only eight months after the league's 32 team owners voted unanimously to approve its formation...
and Chicago won 61–43. The Rush began the season 4–0 and were in first place in the division at 10–4. However, the team lost its last two games, first to the 1–13 Dallas Vigilantes
Dallas Vigilantes
The Dallas Vigilantes were an Arena Football League team based in Dallas, Texas. Like its AFL predecessor, the Dallas Desperados, the Vigilantes played at the American Airlines Center. The Vigilantes and the Jacksonville Sharks began play in the 2010 season, the first after the league's...
and then closed out the year on the road losing to the Spokane Shock
Spokane Shock
The Spokane Shock is a professional arena football team of the Arena Football League from Spokane, Washington, USA. They play their home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena...
. It cost the team a chance at the division title and forced the team to go on the road for the playoffs. The team ended the regular season at 10–6, and lost to the Milwaukee Mustangs
Milwaukee Mustangs
The Milwaukee Mustangs were an Arena Football League team. They played from 1994 to 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Bradley Center.-History:The team was founded in 1994 amidst rumors that the Green Bay Packers would soon stop playing games in Milwaukee, something they'd been doing since 1936...
(then Milwaukee Iron) in the playoffs.
2011: Ten Year Anniversary
The Rush celebrated its 10th season in 2011. Bob McMillenBob McMillen (American football)
Robert James "Bob" McMillen, Jr. is an American Arena Football League coach for the Chicago Rush. He is a retired Arena football player, formerly a Fullback/Linebacker for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.-Early years:McMillen attended Immaculate Conception High School where he...
replaced Mike Hohensee
Mike Hohensee
Michael Louis Hohensee is an American Arena Football League coach who is regarded as one of the best coaches in the history of the AFL. He was hired to guide the Soul's resumption of play after a two-year hiatus starting in 2011. He resigned on July 27, 2011...
to become the team's second head coach in team history, and Russ Michna
Russ Michna
Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
returned at quarterback. Chicago finished the regular season with a 13-5 record and finished first in the Central Division. It was the most regular season wins in Rush history, breaking the 2007 team's 12-4 mark. Defensive back Vic Hall
Vic Hall
Vicqual Renee "Vic" Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Chicago Rush in the AFL. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Virginia, where he played multiple positions for the Cavaliers. He was the...
broke AFL record for interceptions in a season with 15, doing it as a rookie. The Rush defense led the league in points allowed (46.3 per game) and broke league records for the most turnovers (56) and interceptions (42) in a season. Wide receiver Reggie Gray
Reggie Gray
Reggie Gray is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.-High school:...
finished the year with the most catches (130) and receiving yards (1,969) in franchise history, and tied the Rush record with 53 total touchdowns. Bobby Sippio
Bobby Sippio
Robert Lee "Bobby" Sippio, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Peoria Pirates in 2002...
held the old records. The Rush ended the season by losing to the Arizona Rattlers in the National Conference Championship Game.
Notable Players
- Antonio ChatmanAntonio ChatmanAntonio Tavaras Chatman is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
(2002–03) - Chatman went on to play with the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
and Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
from 2003 to 2008. Ironically, Chatman returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown against the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 2005 in a game the Bears needed to win to clinch the division, but Chicago still managed to win. - Michael Bishop (2006) - The Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
finalist was the Rush's backup quarterback in 2006. - Samie ParkerSamie ParkerSamie Jabar Parker is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
(2010) - Parker played for the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
from 2004 to 2007.
Miscellaneous
- The Rush's official mascot is a construction workerConstruction workerA construction worker or builder is a professional, tradesman, or labourer who directly participates in the physical construction of infrastructure.-Construction trades:...
named Grabowski, a reference to Chicago's blue collarBlue collarBlue collar can refer to:*Blue-collar worker, a traditional designation of the working class*Blue-collar crime, the types of crimes typically associated with the working class*A census designation...
background, which was coined by Mike DitkaMike DitkaMichael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
in January 1986 to describe the differance between his Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the Los Angeles Rams. - Dancin' Steve was the original unofficial mascot for the Chicago Rush Arena Football team. He made his first appearance at the premier game March 30, 2001. His official website is http://www.dancinsteve.com
- Before ultimately choosing the nickname Rush, the team was going to be called the Chicago Paytons, to honor the late Bears' great, Walter PaytonWalter PaytonWalter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football...
, who, along with Ditka, was to be part owner of the team. - The Rush currently share the Allstate ArenaAllstate ArenaAllstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and...
with the DePaul Blue DemonsDePaul Blue DemonsThe DePaul Blue Demons are the intercollegiate athletic teams of DePaul University, located in Chicago Illinois. The Blue Demons participate in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big East Conference....
men's basketball team and the Chicago WolvesChicago WolvesThe Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois...
hockey team. In addition to pro sports, the Arena is often used for Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, rodeo, Icecapades,concerts and professional wrestling. - The Rush are the first Arena Football team to be featured in a "This Is SportsCenterSportsCenterSportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
" ad on ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. In the ad SportsCenter anchor John Anderson mediates a therapeutic sit-down discussion in which Rush receiver Damian HarrellDamian HarrellDamian Deron Harrell is an arena football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the Arena Football League. He played college football at Florida State University....
tells quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Sherdrick BonnerSherdrick BonnerSherdrick Bonner is a former Arena football quarterback who is currently the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Rush in the Arena Football League.-High school years:...
that he feels like he never gets the ball. When Bonner interrupts to tell him that he's not always open, Anderson chides him saying "Who has the ball right now?" "Damian has the ball." - On May 19, 2008, the Rush wore black jerseys, black pants and silver helmets in a game against the Los Angeles AvengersLos Angeles AvengersThe Los Angeles Avengers was an Arena Football League team based in Los Angeles, California from 2000 through 2008. They folded on April 19, 2009.-History:...
. The Rush won 72–28. The game was televised on ESPN2ESPN2ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
. Coincidently, the Rush wore black jerseys for the second time in Week 2 of the 2011 season, March 18, 2011 against the Philadelphia SoulPhiladelphia SoulThe Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII...
, and the games were very similar. The Rush blew out the Soul 62–28 after going up 40–14 by halftime. - On September 14, 2010, the Rush announced that Rush great Bob McMillen was to take over as head coach.
- In 2010, Les Grobstein became Play by Play Announcer for the Rush, he was also the Radio and TV Announcer for the Chicago Bruisers from 1987-89. Tom Dore was the Rush Radio Announcer from 2001-2008.
Awards and Records
This section contains all records, awards, and honors acquired by Rush players in individual seasons. Career records weren't included as not all players spent career with RushPlayer Awards
- DeJuan AlfonzoDeJuan AlfonzoDeJuan R. Alfonzo is an American football wide receiver/linebacker for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League . Alfonzo attended Indiana State University.-College and NFL career:...
- 2006
- All-Ironman Team WR/LB
- 2007
- Assists Season Leaders, 49
- Fumble Returns Season Leaders, 5
- Interception Yards Season Leaders, 147
- Interception TDs Season Leaders, 3
- First Team All-Arena JLB
- All-Ironman Team WR/LB
- 2010
- AFL Ironman of the Year
- AFL All-Arena First Team, Jack Linebacker
- AFL All-Arena First Team, Ironman
- 2006
- James BaronJames BaronJames Baron is an arena football defensive lineman who is currently a free agent in the Arena Football League. He was the Arena Football League Players Association's president as well....
- 2002
- First Team All-Arena OL/DL
- 2002
- Antonio ChatmanAntonio ChatmanAntonio Tavaras Chatman is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
- 2002
- All-Rookie Team OS
- 2003
- Kick Returns Season Leaders, 84
- Kick Return Yards Season Leaders, 2062
- Kick Return TDs Season Leaders, 7
- Second Team All-Arena OS
- 2002
- Matt D'OrazioMatt D'OrazioMatthew Louis D’Orazio is a professional American football quarterback Free Agent. He played college football at Otterbein College....
- 2006
- Completion Percentage Season Leaders (min. 150 Attempts), 70.3%
- ArenaBowl XX Offensive Player of the Game
- 2007
- QB Rating Season Leaders (min. 150 Attempts), 126.24
- Completion Percentage Season Leaders (min. 150 Attempts), 69.1%
- 2006
- Dan FrantzDan FrantzDaniel Lee Frantz is a former American football kicker for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. He was released by them on June 3, 2008...
- 2007
- Extra Points (1 pt) Season Leaders, 104
- 2007
- Keith Gispert
- 2003
- All-Rookie Team K
- 2005
- FG Percentage Season Leaders (min. 15 Attempts), 61.1%
- 2003
- Jamie McGourty
- 2002
- TD/Rush Pct. Season Leaders (min. 25 rushes), 34.5
- 2002
- Bob McMillenBob McMillen (American football)Robert James "Bob" McMillen, Jr. is an American Arena Football League coach for the Chicago Rush. He is a retired Arena football player, formerly a Fullback/Linebacker for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.-Early years:McMillen attended Immaculate Conception High School where he...
- 2004
- Rushes Season Leaders, 79
- Rushing Yards Season Leaders, 285
- Rushing TDs Season Leaders, 22
- All-Ironman Team FB/LB
- 2006
- ArenaBowl XX Ironman of the Game
- 2004
- Etu MoldenEtu MoldenEtu Baraka Molden is an Arena Football League wide receiver/linebacker who is currently a free agent...
- 2004
- All-Rookie Team WR/LB
- 2005
- All-Ironman Team WR/LB
- 2004
- John Moyer
- 2002
- Second Team All-Arena OL/DL
- 2003
- Sacks Season Leaders, 9.0
- First Team All-Arena OL/DL
- All-Ironman Team OL/DL
- 2004
- Sacks Season Leaders, 9.0
- Blocked Kicks Season Leaders, 3
- First Team All-Arena OL/DL
- All-Ironman Team OL/DL
- Lineman of the Year
- 2005
- Blocked Kicks Season Leaders, 3
- Second Team All-Arena OL/DL
- 2002
- Raymond PhilyawRaymond PhilyawRaymond Philyaw is an arena football quarterback who currently plays for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings in the Arena Football League league...
- 2004
- TD/Rush Pct. Season Leaders (min. 25 rushes), 32.4
- 2004
- Dameon PorterDameon PorterDameon Porter is a former wide receiver/defensive back in the Arena Football League. He played for the Iowa Barnstormers , the New Jersey Red Dogs , the Chicago Rush , the Georgia Force , the Austin Wranglers , the Las Vegas Gladiators , the Grand Rapids Rampage .He played college football at...
- 2001
- Yards/Reception Season Leaders (min. 40 receptions), 16.3
- Interceptions Season Leaders, 12
- First Team All-Arena WR/DB
- All-Ironman Team WR/DB
- Breakout Player of the Year
- Ironman of the Year
- 2002
- Interceptions Season Leaders, 10
- First Team All-Arena WR/DB
- All-Ironman Team WR/DB
- 2001
- Dennison RobinsonDennison RobinsonMarquette Dennison Robinson is an American football defensive back for the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League. He attended the University of West Georgia.-High school years:...
- 2006
- ArenaBowl XX Defensive Player of the Game
- 2007
- Tackles Season Leaders, 95
- 2006
- Bobby SippioBobby SippioRobert Lee "Bobby" Sippio, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Peoria Pirates in 2002...
- 2007
- Receiving Yards Season Leaders, 1742
- Receiving TDs Season Leaders, 53 TDs
- TD/Reception Pct. Season Leaders (min. 40 receptions), 42.4
- First Team All-Arena WR
- 2007
- Khreem SmithKhreem SmithKhreem Smith is a gridiron football offensive lineman for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
- 2006
- Forced Fumbles Season Leaders, 5
- Second Team All-Arena OL/DL
- All-Rookie Team OL/DL
- 2006
- Jeremy UnertlJeremy UnertlJeremy Dale Unertl is an safety with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
- 2007
- Second Team All-Arena DB
- 2007
Roster
Quarterbacks
Fullbacks
Wide Receivers
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Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Kelvin Morris Kelvin Morris is an American football linebacker for the Chicago Rush of Arena Football League. He was signed by the Spokane Shock as a street free agent in 2007... Defensive Backs
Kickers
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Injured Reserve
Team Suspension
Rookies in italics Roster updated October 6, 2011 15 Active, 0 Inactive → More rosters |
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