Colorado Crush
Encyclopedia
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. They were last coached by Mike Dailey
and owned by a coalition of Denver sports figures led by John Elway
.
Negotiations with a Denver ownership group (known not to be the Elway group) are underway for a 2012 AFL expansion franchise in Denver, but it is unclear whether or not it will use the Crush branding or that of the Denver Dynamite
, an earlier AFL team. Like the Dallas Desperados
, the Crush's branding is partially based on NFL teams (the Denver Broncos
and St. Louis Rams
, though to a much lesser degree), which could give Pat Bowlen
and/or Stan Kroenke a potential veto over any usage of the Colorado Crush branding.
, Colorado
and played at Pepsi Center
. At the time, the arena also served as the home to the National Lacrosse League
's Colorado Mammoth
, the National Hockey League
's Colorado Avalanche
and the National Basketball Association
's Denver Nuggets
. The principal owner of the franchise was Denver Broncos
legend and Hall of Famer
John Elway
(Co-Owner and Chief Executive Officer), with Stan Kroenke, owner of the Avalanche, the Nuggets, the Rapids, Pepsi Center, & the Altitude Sports network and the majority Broncos owner Pat Bowlen
as a minority owner. The Crush competed in the Central Division of the American Conference. After a bad inaugural season in 2003, in which they finished 2-14, the Crush rebounded to go 11-5 and make the playoffs in their second year. On June 12, 2005 they won ArenaBowl
XIX (19) in Las Vegas'
Thomas & Mack Center
over the Georgia Force
51-48, in only their third year of existence.
In their fourth year, the Crush ended up 11-5, with the American Conference Central
title for the second year in a row. In the Divisional Round however, the Crush lost in an upset to the fifth-seeded (and eventual ArenaBowl champion) Chicago Rush
63-46.
The team's mascot was an anthropomorphic bull named "Crusher."
1970s defensive squad (the "Orange Crush").
Denver was host to one of the four charter teams, the Denver Dynamite
, which won the first-ever ArenaBowl
in 1987.
Van Montgomery from the TV show Reba
plays for the Crush at the end of his football career.
Mike Dailey
Mike Dailey was an Arena Football League coach for the Colorado Crush. He has a career record of 88-58, including a 9-5 mark in the postseason. Under his leadership, the Crush won the ArenaBowl XIX in 2005. He is now the defensive coordinator for the McDaniel College Green Terror.-External links:*...
and owned by a coalition of Denver sports figures led by John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
.
Negotiations with a Denver ownership group (known not to be the Elway group) are underway for a 2012 AFL expansion franchise in Denver, but it is unclear whether or not it will use the Crush branding or that of the Denver Dynamite
Denver Dynamite (arena football)
This article is about the former Arena Football League franchise. For the Professional Arena Soccer League soccer club, see Denver Dynamite ....
, an earlier AFL team. Like 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....
, the Crush's branding is partially based on NFL teams (the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
, though to a much lesser degree), which could give Pat Bowlen
Pat Bowlen
Patrick Dennis Bowlen is the Majority Owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Broncos. The Bowlen Family, including his two brothers and sister, purchased the team from Edgar Kaiser in 1984 and saved the team from possible bankruptcy.-Biography:Pat's father, Paul D...
and/or Stan Kroenke a potential veto over any usage of the Colorado Crush branding.
History
The team was based in DenverDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and played at Pepsi Center
Pepsi Center
Pepsi Center is a multi-purpose arena in Denver, Colorado, United States. The building is home to the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association, the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League, and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League...
. At the time, the arena also served as the home to the National Lacrosse League
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
's Colorado Mammoth
Colorado Mammoth
The Colorado Mammoth are a member of the National Lacrosse League. They have played at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, United States, since the 2003 season....
, the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
and the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
. The principal owner of the franchise was Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
legend and Hall of Famer
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...
John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
(Co-Owner and Chief Executive Officer), with Stan Kroenke, owner of the Avalanche, the Nuggets, the Rapids, Pepsi Center, & the Altitude Sports network and the majority Broncos owner Pat Bowlen
Pat Bowlen
Patrick Dennis Bowlen is the Majority Owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Broncos. The Bowlen Family, including his two brothers and sister, purchased the team from Edgar Kaiser in 1984 and saved the team from possible bankruptcy.-Biography:Pat's father, Paul D...
as a minority owner. The Crush competed in the Central Division of the American Conference. After a bad inaugural season in 2003, in which they finished 2-14, the Crush rebounded to go 11-5 and make the playoffs in their second year. On June 12, 2005 they won ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
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...
XIX (19) in Las Vegas'
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
Thomas & Mack Center
Thomas & Mack Center
The Thomas & Mack Center is an arena, located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. For ring events, the capacity is 19,522, for basketball, the capacity is 18,776.-History:...
over the Georgia Force
Georgia Force
The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings...
51-48, in only their third year of existence.
In their fourth year, the Crush ended up 11-5, with the American Conference Central
Central Division (AFL)
The Central Division is one of four divisions that make up the Arena Football League. It's also one of two divisions that make up the "American Conference", now part of the "National Conference". The division was first formed in 1995 when expansion teams were formed and put into the current...
title for the second year in a row. In the Divisional Round however, the Crush lost in an upset to the fifth-seeded (and eventual ArenaBowl champion) Chicago Rush
Chicago Rush
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...
63-46.
The team's mascot was an anthropomorphic bull named "Crusher."
Highlights
- On Sunday, June 12, 2005, the Crush hosted the American Conference Championship game against their division rival, the Chicago RushChicago RushThe 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...
. Colorado had the lead late in the game 43-40 and Defensive Back Rashad Floyd managed to intercept a touchdown pass from Quarterback Matt D'OrazioMatt D'OrazioMatthew Louis D’Orazio is a professional American football quarterback Free Agent. He played college football at Otterbein College....
, but it turns out that he was called for holding. Chicago would tie the game with kicker Keith Gispert's 17-yard field goal. In overtime, the Crush would get the win with Quarterback John Dutton completing a 22-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Antowone 'Andy' McCulloughAndy McCulloughAntwone "Andy" McCullough is a former professional American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League, NFL Europe and Arena Football League.-Early years:...
, sending them to ArenaBowl XIXArenaBowl XIXArenaBowl 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...
(where they would eventually win).And won 2 before and 2 after On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this game is at #20.
- On Friday, February 6, 2004, in a Week 1 contest against the Las Vegas Gladiators, the Crush were still looking for their first home win in franchise history. In the final 12 seconds of the game, the Crush would have Quarterback John Dutton complete a seven-yard touchdown pass to Wide 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....
(with a failed two-point conversion), recover an onside kick, and have Dutton complete a 33-yard pass to Harrell. With 12 points in 12 seconds, Colorado would win 43-42 and get their first-ever win at home. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is at #15.
- On Saturday, February 5, 2005, in a Week 2 home game against their division rival, the Grand Rapids RampageGrand Rapids RampageThe Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
, Quarterback John Dutton would throw a franchise-best eight touchdowns in a 72-56 win, yet this was overshadowed by Rampage Quarterback Michael BishopMichael Bishop (football player)Michael Paul Bishop is a professional football quarterback who is currently on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Practice Squad. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots....
becoming the very first player in AFL history to run for 100 yards in a single game. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is at #12.
Coaches
| Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
Tenure | Regular season record (W-L) |
Post season record (W-L) |
Most recent coaching staff | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Beers | 2003 2003 Arena Football League season The 2003 Arena Football League season was the 17th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVII. The AFL expanded its season to a 16-game schedule... |
2-14 | 0-0 | ||
| Mike Dailey Mike Dailey Mike Dailey was an Arena Football League coach for the Colorado Crush. He has a career record of 88-58, including a 9-5 mark in the postseason. Under his leadership, the Crush won the ArenaBowl XIX in 2005. He is now the defensive coordinator for the McDaniel College Green Terror.-External links:*... |
2004 2004 Arena Football League season The 2004 Arena Football League season was the 18th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVIII... - 2008 2008 Arena Football League season The 2008 Arena Football League season was the 22nd season of the Arena Football League and final season before the 2009 cancellation. The regular season began play on February 29, 2008 and concluded on June 22... |
46-34 | 6-3 | DC Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... : Tommy Johnson Tommy Johnson Tommy Johnson was an influential American delta blues musician, who recorded in the late 1920s, and was known for his eerie falsetto voice and intricate guitar playing.-Early life:... (2009) OC Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... : Chris MacKeown (2009) DL: Tony Federico (2003–2008) ST Coordinator / WR 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... coach: Matt Gardner (2004–2008) |
Past Players
- Chris Angel - DB (2007–08)
- Andy Collins - QB (2008)
- Jose DavisJose DavisJose Davis is an American Arena Football League quarterback who was most recently the second string quarterback for the Cleveland Gladiators before being cut to make room for former New England Patriots and New York Dragons quarterback Rohan Davey.-High school years:Davis attended Bellaire High...
- QB - Johnathan GoddardJohnathan GoddardJonathan Bruce Goddard was an American defensive end in the National Football League and Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Colorado Crush before his death in a June 2008 motorcycle accident.-Early years:Goddard was born...
- DL (2008) - Todd HammelTodd HammelTodd Layne Hammel is an Arena Football League quarterback for the Utah Blaze. He has played for 10 teams since his AFL career began in 1992.-High school career:...
- QB - 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....
- OS - Ahmad HawkinsAhmad HawkinsAhmad Hawkins is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He has also played for the Alabama Vipers. He was signed by the Colorado Crush as a street free agent in 2003...
- WR/DB - Evan HlavacekEvan HlavacekEvan Hlavacek is a former American football wide receiver/defensive back most recently playing for the Colorado Crush in the Arena Football League.-College years:...
- WR/DB - Willis MarshallWillis MarshallWillis Thurman Marshall III is an Arena football Wide Receiver / Defensive back for the who is currently a free agent. He was most recently with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League...
- WR/CB - Isaiah Deets - FB/LB (2005)
- Saul PatuSaul PatuSaul King Patu is an retired professional football player, National Football League , Arena Football League , defensive end/linebacker for the Colorado Crush/New York Jets/New England Patriots/Tennessee Titans.-High school years:Patu attended Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, Washington, and...
- FB/LB - Rich Young - FB/LB
Trivia
The team's main color and name are in reference to the Denver BroncosDenver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
1970s defensive squad (the "Orange Crush").
Denver was host to one of the four charter teams, the Denver Dynamite
Denver Dynamite (arena football)
This article is about the former Arena Football League franchise. For the Professional Arena Soccer League soccer club, see Denver Dynamite ....
, which won the first-ever ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
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...
in 1987.
Van Montgomery from the TV show Reba
Reba (TV series)
Reba is an American sitcom starring Reba McEntire, which ran from 2001 to 2007. For the show's first five seasons, it ran on The WB, with the show transitioning to The CW in its last year.-Synopsis:...
plays for the Crush at the end of his football career.