Los Angeles Avengers
Encyclopedia
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.
, which is also the current home to the Los Angeles Kings
of the National Hockey League
, the Los Angeles Lakers
and Los Angeles Clippers
of the National Basketball Association
, the Los Angeles Sparks
of the Women's National Basketball Association
, and the Los Angeles D-Fenders
of the NBA Development League
. The team began play in the 2000 season. The Avengers competed in the Western Division of the American Conference. Since its inception in 2000, the Avengers had competed in postseason play five times. The Avengers earned American Conference wildcard playoff berths in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007, and won the American Conference Western Division Championship in 2005.
The Avengers franchise was owned by Casey Wasserman
, grandson of the late MCA
head Lew Wasserman
.
On April 10, 2005, Avengers defensive lineman Al Lucas
was injured attempting to make a tackle and later died at a nearby hospital. It is the only fatal injury incurred during a game in the history of the league. The Al Lucas Hero Award is named after him.
The Avengers announced the termination of the program on April 20, 2009 after nine years of operation: "The LA Avengers has terminated its participation in the Arena Football League." The Los Angeles Avengers could possibly be returning in 2012 in the new Arena Football League along with Columbus, New York, Grand Rapids, & Colorado.
The Avengers official mascot was a superhero-like character named TD.
Silas Demary - OL/DL AFL 2005 Player Of the Year
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
from 2000 through 2008. They folded on April 19, 2009.
History
The Los Angeles Avengers played their home games at the Staples CenterStaples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
, which is also the current home to the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
of 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...
, the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
of 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...
, the Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
of the Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
, and the Los Angeles D-Fenders
Los Angeles D-Fenders
The Los Angeles D-Fenders are a NBA Development League team based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2006, the team is owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, which became the first National Basketball Association franchise to own a D-League team...
of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
. The team began play in the 2000 season. The Avengers competed in the Western Division of the American Conference. Since its inception in 2000, the Avengers had competed in postseason play five times. The Avengers earned American Conference wildcard playoff berths in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007, and won the American Conference Western Division Championship in 2005.
The Avengers franchise was owned by Casey Wasserman
Casey Wasserman
Casey Wasserman is an entertainment executive, sports agent executive and owner of the former Arena League football team, the Los Angeles Avengers. Born Casey Meyer, he is the son of the Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist Lynne Wasserman. Casey's parents were divorced and he took his...
, grandson of the late MCA
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
head Lew Wasserman
Lew Wasserman
Lewis Robert "Lew" Wasserman was an American talent agent and studio executive, sometimes credited with creating and later taking apart the studio system in a career spanning more than six decades...
.
On April 10, 2005, Avengers defensive lineman Al Lucas
Al Lucas
Albert Lucas was an American football player in the National Football League and Arena Football League who died during a game while playing for the Los Angeles Avengers.-Early life and college career:...
was injured attempting to make a tackle and later died at a nearby hospital. It is the only fatal injury incurred during a game in the history of the league. The Al Lucas Hero Award is named after him.
The Avengers announced the termination of the program on April 20, 2009 after nine years of operation: "The LA Avengers has terminated its participation in the Arena Football League." The Los Angeles Avengers could possibly be returning in 2012 in the new Arena Football League along with Columbus, New York, Grand Rapids, & Colorado.
The Avengers official mascot was a superhero-like character named TD.
Memorable Avengers' highlights
- On Sunday, March 30, 2003, in a Week 9 road game against the Orlando PredatorsOrlando PredatorsThe 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...
, the Avengers trailed 63-58 late in the game. However, L.A. managed to recover an onside kick and on the very last play of the game, Quarterback Tony GrazianiTony GrazianiAnthony Robert Graziani was an American football quarterback who played for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League, and the Los Angeles Avengers and Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. Graziani played college football at the University of Oregon...
threw a 32-yard touchdown pass that flinged off the rebound net and was caught by WR/LB Greg HopkinsGreg HopkinsGreg Hopkins is a former Arena Football League wide receiver/linebacker with the Albany Firebirds and the Los Angeles Avengers.-High school career:Greg Hopkins was born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, United States...
, giving the Avengers a 64-63 win. On the Arena Football League's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is at #19. Greg Hopkins would later coach special teams for the Avengers where he forced his players to do push-ups if they do not know the answers to his questions.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stan Brock Stan Brock -External links:... |
2000 2000 Arena Football League season The 2000 Arena Football League season was the 14th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Orlando Predators, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XIV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth... - 2001 2001 Arena Football League season The 2001 Arena Football League season was the 15th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Grand Rapids Rampage, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth... |
3-14 | 0-0 | Let go after starting 0-3 during 2001. | |
| Robert Lyles Robert Lyles Robert Lyles is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons for the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons. He is currently a defensive assistant coach for the United States Military Academy.... |
2001 | 5-6 | 0-0 | Replaced Brock, was not retained after season. |
|
| Ed Hodgkiss Ed Hodgkiss Ed Hodgkiss is a former Arena Football League coach for the Los Angeles Avengers. He has a career record of 52-42, including a 1-5 mark in the postseason.-External links:**... |
2002 2002 Arena Football League season The 2002 Arena Football League season was the 16th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVI... - 2008 2008 Los Angeles Avengers season The 2008 Los Angeles Avengers season was the ninth and final season for the franchise. The Avengers finished the season with a 5-11 record, and failed to make the playoffs. Two days after the final regular season game, head coach Ed Hodgkiss and two assistants were fired from the team. Also, the... |
57-53 | 1-5 | ||
| Pat O'Hara Pat O'Hara Patrick O'Hara is an arena football coach and retired quarterback. He is currently the head coach of the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 10th round of the 1991 NFL Draft... * |
2009 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 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... :Vacant 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... / DB Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... Coach: Maurice Blanding QB 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... / 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: Chad Salisbury Chad Salisbury Chad Thomas Salisbury is a former Arena Football League quarterback. He is currently the Quarterbacks and Wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Avengers.-High school and college careers:... DL / LB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... Coach: Leroy Thompson OL / FB Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback... Coach: Mark Tucker Mark Tucker (American football) Mark Tucker is an American football lineman.-High school career:Tucker played football at Banning High School in Wilmington, California. He started at offensive tackle his junior and senior year. He was teammates with Jamelle Holieway, Leroy Holt, and Courtney Hall... |
Team folded before he coached a game. |
Notable past players
- Shannon CulverShannon CulverSkinny' Shannon Culver is a former Arena Football League wide receiver for the Baltimore Stallions , Anaheim Piranhas , the Grand Rapids Rampage , the Los Angeles Avengers , the Dallas Desperados , and the Austin Wranglers . He then signed with the Arizona Rattlers after taking the 2005 season off...
-WR/LB - Sonny CumbieSonny CumbieSonny Jack Cumbie is an American football Assistant Coach for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, serving as Inside Receivers Coach...
- QB - Clarence CunninghamClarence CunninghamClarence Cunningham , , is an American football player, currently playing free safety for the Italian Football League's Catania Elephants., and most notably playing for the Af2 Stockton Lightning, from the 2006 to 2009 af2 season where he was a Cutter's Catch of the Week Recipient, as well as an...
- WR/FS - Jim DruckenmillerJim DruckenmillerJames David Druckenmiller, Jr. is a former American football quarterback.In his career Druckenmiller played for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League, as well as the Memphis Maniax of the XFL and the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena...
- QB - Jason FletcherJason FletcherJason Fletcher is an American sports agent who works primarily with NFL players and coaches, but also represents athletes in other sports including baseball, basketball, and the UFC. A graduate of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science...
- WR/LB - Tony GrazianiTony GrazianiAnthony Robert Graziani was an American football quarterback who played for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League, and the Los Angeles Avengers and Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. Graziani played college football at the University of Oregon...
- QB - Greg HopkinsGreg HopkinsGreg Hopkins is a former Arena Football League wide receiver/linebacker with the Albany Firebirds and the Los Angeles Avengers.-High school career:Greg Hopkins was born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, United States...
- WR/LB - John KaleoJohn KaleoJohn Kaleo is a retired American football quarterback in the Arena Football League for the Albany Firebirds , Cleveland Thunderbolts , St...
- QB - Al LucasAl LucasAlbert Lucas was an American football player in the National Football League and Arena Football League who died during a game while playing for the Los Angeles Avengers.-Early life and college career:...
- OL/DL - Todd MarinovichTodd MarinovichTodd Marvin Marinovich is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. He played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League, and also in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League...
- QB - Chris Jackson - WR
- Michael Cobbins - FB
- Lonnie FordLonnie FordLonnie Ford is an Arena Football League fullback–defensive end for the Los Angeles Avengers.-Professional career:Ford signed a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers following the 2002 NFL Draft, but was released...
- FB/DL
Silas Demary - OL/DL AFL 2005 Player Of the Year