KANSAS CITY BRIGADE

The 'Kansas City Brigade' is a team from the Arena Football League. The team was established before the 2006 season. The team's head coach is former Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Kevin Porter.
The team played at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri and is expected to move into the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City for the 2008 AFL season. The team is owned by a Kansas City local, Chris Likens. One of the most notable co-owners is former Kansas City Chiefs star Neil Smith.

Contents

History

2006 season

2007 season

Season-by-season

Notable players

Retired numbers

External links

History

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

2006 season

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

2007 season

With the New Orleans VooDoo returning to the AFL's NC Southern division in 2007, the Brigade switched conferences and divisions, as they moved to the AC Central.
On March 4, 2007, in their home-opener, the Brigade defeated the defending Arena Bowl champion Chicago Rush 54-41. The game was broadcast nationally on ABC. The win marked the first time in franchise history that the Brigade were above .500 for the season.
On June 8, the Brigade clinched their first-ever playoff berth with a 47-34 victory over the Columbus Destroyers.
The Brigade finished the regular season with a 10-6 record. While earning the American Conference's #3 seed, the Brigade hosted their first playoff game on June 30, a wild-card matchup, with the American Conference's #6 seed, the Colorado Crush. Unfortunately for the Brigade, the Crush won 49-42, despite coming into the game with a 4-game losing streak.

Season-by-season

|-
|2006 || 3 || 13 || 0 || 5th NC Southern || --
|-
|2007 || 10 || 7 || 0 || 2nd AC Central || Lost Wild Card (Colorado)
|-
!Totals || 13 || 20 || 0
|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)

Notable players

★ Raymond Philyaw - QB

★ Charles "E.T." Fredrick - WR

★ Dawan Moss - FB/LB

★ Jerel Myers - WR

★ Boo Williams - WR

★ Kenny McEntyre - DB

★ B.J Cohen - DL

★ Chris Sanders - QB (Released before 2007 season)

★ Aaron Boone - WR/LB (Signed with Utah after the 2006 season)

★ Michael Bishop - QB (Traded to Grand Rapids during 2007 season)

Retired numbers

★ #90 Neil Smith, team co-owner and former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end.

External links

★ Kansas City Brigade Official Website

★ KC Brigade News and Info

★ Kansas City Brigade Booster Club

★ Kansas City Brigade at ArenaFan.com

★ Sprint Center Arena