New England Steamrollers
Encyclopedia
The New England Steamrollers were a former Arena Football League team that played in the AFL's 1988 season. The Steamrollers were one of four teams to enter the AFL in 1988, and along with the New York Knights
and Los Angeles Cobras
were folded following the season.
The Steamrollers were based out of Providence, Rhode Island
and played their home games at the Providence Civic Center
. They were the first professional football team of any kind to play in Providence since the Providence Steam Roller
folded in 1933 and the first non-minor league professional sports franchise to play in the city since the NBA's Providence Steamrollers
folded in 1949.
3. RUOFF, Bernie
(K)
7. WILLIAMS, Paul (QB)
8. SMITH, Harold (QB)
9. GARDNER, Brian (OS)
22. HEIDMAN, Matt (QB)
22. PRATT, Jim (WR/DB)
23. BIANCHINI, Frank (FB/LB)
27. SLATON, Tony (DS)
27. HAIRSTON, Russell (WR/LB)
28. RAFFERTY, Jim (WR/LB)
29. BREWER, Chris (FB/LB)
29. GRAVELY, Maurice (DS)
30. ALLEN, Brian (WR/DB)
31. FRIDAY, Larry (DS)
44. JONES, Cletis (FB/LB)
45. WILLIAMS, Alvin (WR/DB)
46. BONITATI, Bill (FB/LB)
46. HENDLEY, David (DS)
51. O'MALLEY, Steve (OL/DL)
54. MURPHY, Kevin (OL/DL)
56. BIRNBAUM, Bill (OL/DL)
63. JOHNSON, Kim (OL/DL)
67. NEASE, Mike (OL/DL)
67. THOMPSON, Donald (OL/DL)
68. BEMBERY, Sylvester
(OL/DL)
85. HOCKADAY, Jim (WR/LB)
88. WILLIAMS, Joe (WR/LB)
89. OLIVER, Jeff (OL/DL)
98. FELTON, Joe (OL/DL)
COACH: Vito "Babe" Parilli
New York Knights
The New York Knights were an Arena Football League team based in New York City. They played in the league for one season, 1988. They played their home games at Madison Square Garden. After going 2-10 overall in their only season the team ceased operations...
and Los Angeles Cobras
Los Angeles Cobras
-History:The Los Angeles Cobras played in the 1988 Arena Football League season only. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, which they shared with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association...
were folded following the season.
The Steamrollers were based out of Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
and played their home games at the Providence Civic Center
Dunkin' Donuts Center
The Dunkin' Donuts Center , is an indoor arena, located in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States...
. They were the first professional football team of any kind to play in Providence since the Providence Steam Roller
Providence Steam Roller
The Providence Steam Roller was a professional American football team based in Providence, Rhode Island in the National Football League from 1925 to 1931. Providence was the first New England team to win an NFL championship...
folded in 1933 and the first non-minor league professional sports franchise to play in the city since the NBA's Providence Steamrollers
Providence Steamrollers
The Providence Steamrollers were a National Basketball Association team based in Providence, Rhode Island. As of November 2011, the Steamrollers remain the last pro sports franchise from one of the Big Four leagues to be based in Rhode Island....
folded in 1949.
1988 Steamrollers Roster
3. JACOBS, Dave (K)3. RUOFF, Bernie
Bernie Ruoff
Bernie Ruoff is a former punter and placekicker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1975-1979 and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1980-1987 of the Canadian Football League. He finished his CFL career in 1988, playing 5 games for the British Columbia Lions...
(K)
7. WILLIAMS, Paul (QB)
8. SMITH, Harold (QB)
9. GARDNER, Brian (OS)
22. HEIDMAN, Matt (QB)
22. PRATT, Jim (WR/DB)
23. BIANCHINI, Frank (FB/LB)
27. SLATON, Tony (DS)
27. HAIRSTON, Russell (WR/LB)
28. RAFFERTY, Jim (WR/LB)
29. BREWER, Chris (FB/LB)
29. GRAVELY, Maurice (DS)
30. ALLEN, Brian (WR/DB)
31. FRIDAY, Larry (DS)
44. JONES, Cletis (FB/LB)
45. WILLIAMS, Alvin (WR/DB)
46. BONITATI, Bill (FB/LB)
46. HENDLEY, David (DS)
51. O'MALLEY, Steve (OL/DL)
54. MURPHY, Kevin (OL/DL)
56. BIRNBAUM, Bill (OL/DL)
63. JOHNSON, Kim (OL/DL)
67. NEASE, Mike (OL/DL)
67. THOMPSON, Donald (OL/DL)
68. BEMBERY, Sylvester
Sylvester Bembery
Sylvester Bembery is a former American football lineman in the Arena Football League. Bemery, #78, was an offensive and defensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Storm from 1994–1999, and once again joined the Storm for the 2001 campaign....
(OL/DL)
85. HOCKADAY, Jim (WR/LB)
88. WILLIAMS, Joe (WR/LB)
89. OLIVER, Jeff (OL/DL)
98. FELTON, Joe (OL/DL)
COACH: Vito "Babe" Parilli