# Arizona Rattlers

The Arizona Rattlers are a professional indoor American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area that competes in the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team in the Arena Football League and were the third oldest active franchise in the AFL until their departure in 2016. They play their home games at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. They previously played at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.
The Rattlers are led by head coach Kevin Guy. Since the team's establishment in 1992, the Rattlers have won ten division titles and have played in nine ArenaBowl Championship games, winning championships in 1994, 1997, 2012, 2013, 2014. The Rattlers also won the 2017 United Bowl in their first season in the IFL.
It is believed that the Rattlers are the longest-tenured, continuously-active indoor/arena team in the game's history being active for over 30 years (not counting the COVID-19 pandemic season cancelation in 2020).

## History
### Founding (1991)

In 1987, it was speculated that the Phoenix, Arizona, area would be a target for the newly formed Arena Football League (AFL).
On September 11, 1991, it was announced that Jerry Colangelo had been awarded an expansion franchise in the AFL in Phoenix. Colangelo, owner of the NBA's Phoenix Suns, first approached Frank Kush to coach his team, but Kush declined the invitation. In October 1991, the team announced that former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White would be the franchise's first head coach. In December 1991, the team announced that they would be named the Arizona Rattlers after more than 250 people suggested that the team's nickname should be the Rattlers, while 55% of their responders picked "Arizona" over "Phoenix".

### Danny White era (1992–2004)

In 1992, the Rattlers began with their first two games on the road, and won their home debut in front of a sell-out crowd of 15,505 at America West Arena by a score of 56–31 over the Sacramento Attack.
In 1994, the Rattlers captured their first ArenaBowl championship, with a 36–31 victory over the Orlando Predators.
In 1997, the Rattlers won their second championship defeating the Iowa Barnstormers, led by future Super Bowl champion QB Kurt Warner, 55-33.
In December 1999, Gene Nudo, White and Will Meris pursued the purchase of the Rattlers from Colangelo.

### Kevin Guy era (2008–present)
#### AFL (2008–2016)

In 2008, it was announced that Brett Bouchy would become the new owner of the Arizona Rattlers. After the Rattlers had a 4–12 record in 2007, Brett Bouchy hired Kevin Guy as the new Arizona Rattlers head coach in the 2008 season and the Rattlers improved to an 8–8 record and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2006, but lost in the first round.
In August 2009, numerous media outlets began reporting that the AFL was folding permanently and would file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The league released a statement on August 4 to the effect that while the league was not folding, it was suspending league operations indefinitely. Despite this, several of the league's creditors filed papers to force a Chapter 7 liquidation if the league did not do so voluntarily. This request was granted on August 7, though converted to a Chapter 11 reorganization on August 26. However, Brett Bouchy and a group of investors planned to launch a new league called Arena Football 1 and helped the Arizona Rattlers and the Orlando Predators to become two of the four teams to survive and return in 2010 with Arena Football 1.
In early 2010, it was announced that Arena Football 1 was granted the trademarks to the AFL brand and was renamed the Arena Football League. In 2011, after Brett Bouchy was able to keep both the Arizona Rattlers and the Orlando Predators alive, he was forced to let go of ownership to one of the teams that became the Arizona Rattlers.
On May 12, 2011, Ron Shurts became the new majority owner of the Rattlers franchise. In 2011, the Rattlers won 16 games in the regular season, a league record for wins in a single regular season. In the playoffs, by winning the National Conference championship, they clinched a berth in ArenaBowl XXIV. They lost the game to the Jacksonville Sharks when Jacksonville quarterback Aaron Garcia threw a game-winning touchdown pass on the game's final play. The Rattlers redeemed themselves the following season, winning ArenaBowl XXV over the Philadelphia Soul to win their first title in 15 years.
In 2013, the Rattlers and Soul met again in ArenaBowl XXVI, with the Rattlers winning yet again, 48–39. This made them the first team since 1995 to win back-to-back championships, and the first team in history to beat the same team for both titles.
In 2014, the Rattlers went 15–3 in the regular season after a 14-game winning streak to start the season, and defeated the Cleveland Gladiators in ArenaBowl XXVII by a score of 72–32, becoming the first team in AFL history to win three consecutive AFL championships since the Detroit Drive of 1988–1990, as well as establishing the largest margin of victory (40 points) in an ArenaBowl.
In 2015, the Rattlers went 14–4 in the regular season and made it to the Conference Championships but lost to the San Jose Sabercats 70–67, a team which had twice beaten them in the regular season. This ended their streak of consecutive ArenaBowl appearances at four.
In 2016, the Rattlers went 13–3 in the regular season, then blew out the Portland Steel and the Cleveland Gladiators en route to their fifth ArenaBowl appearance in six years, only to lose to the Philadelphia Soul.

#### IFL (2017–present)

On October 17, 2016, the Rattlers announced they had left the AFL and joined the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the 2017 season. Owner Ron Shurts said that it was possible that the AFL would have to go on hiatus in 2017, and wasn't sure the fans would return in 2018 if that happened. The move made Phoenix by far the largest market in the IFL. They made their IFL debut on February 17, 2017, at the defending six-time IFL Champions Sioux Falls Storm, but lost 40–29. On June 24, 2017, the Rattlers faced the Nebraska Danger in the Intense Conference Championship and won 62–36. They defeated the reigning champion Sioux Falls Storm 50–41 in the 2017 United Bowl on July 8, 2017.
On April 29, 2018, the Rattlers defeated the Cedar Rapids Titans 84–83 and earned their 300th win in franchise history. The Rattlers would go on to qualify for the 2018 playoffs, but lost to the Sioux Falls Storm in the Semifinals.
In 2019, the Rattlers went undefeated throughout the regular season, finishing with a 14–0 record. At the end of the season, their playoff games were moved to Gila River Arena (now Desert Diamond Arena) after the Talking Stick Resort Arena closed for renovations. The Rattlers lost (56-53) to the Sioux Falls Storm in the 2019 United Bowl, with coach Guy heavily blaming officiating. With Talking Stick Resort Arena planned to be closed through the 2020 season and possibly into the 2021 season, the Rattlers agreed to a lease at Gila River Arena in the interim.
After their 2020 season was canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 season was pushed back, the Rattlers announced they would be returning to downtown Phoenix for their 2021 season home games at Footprint Center, formerly known as Talking Stick Resort Arena.
In 2021, the Rattlers finished the regular season with a league best (12-2) record and entered the post season as the IFL's highest seed. They qualified for the 2021 United Bowl, advancing past their rivals, the Sioux Falls Storm & Duke City Gladiators. However, they would end up losing in overtime to the Massachusetts Pirates.
After suffering their 2nd straight championship defeat, The Rattlers were determined to finish the 2022 season with much better results. They qualified for the post season once again, finishing the regular season as the top ranked seed in the Western Conference at (13-3). They advanced to the semifinals, but fell short yet again. They wound up losing to their in state rivals, and the eventual league champion Northern Arizona Wranglers.
The Rattlers entered their 2023 season, still chasing that elusive 7th franchise championship. They finished atop the Western Conference standings for the 2nd consecutive season with an (11-4) record. They lost in the playoffs again to the Northern Arizona Wranglers, this time in the opening round.
On November 6, 2023, it was announced that the Rattlers would be moving to Desert Diamond Arena, after originally planning to play there in 2020.
The Rattlers entered their 2024 offseason with much uncertainty. Five consecutive seasons without winning a championship resulted in heavy scrutiny of both Head coach Kevin Guy & his quarterback Drew Powell. Fans began questioning the duo's ability to finish in the playoffs. As a result, a major change was made. Coach Guy traded away his star quarterback to their in state rivals, the Tucson Sugar Skulls. In doing so, he filled the void at QB by acquiring local valley talent & current IFL Championship MVP Dalton Sneed from the defending 2023 champion Bay Area Panthers. The Rattlers took a gamble and began their 2024 season with a new leader under center. However, injuries plagued the team through the first four weeks, as they started the year with a disappointing 1-3 record. Fortunately, as the team grew healthier, so did their confidence. The Rattlers battled back throughout the year and finished the regular season with an (11-5) record.
They entered the playoffs as the number three seed in the Western Conference. A tightly contested first round matchup against the two seeded Vegas Knight Hawks resulted in a come from behind (39-38) road victory on the very last play of the game. Following the win, Coach Kevin Guy became the winningest coach in arena/indoor football history with 262 victories on July 27, 2024. The Rattlers advanced & hosted the 2024 Western Conference Championship, thanks to the San Diego Strike Force upsetting the top seeded Bay Area Panthers the week before. Arizona took full advantage, blowing out the visiting Strike Force (58-23) and securing the Western Conference crown. With the win, the Rattlers qualified for the 2024 IFL National Championship Game (known formerly as the United Bowl) at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada. They faced off against the Eastern Conference Champion Massachusetts Pirates once again. This time, they would not be denied their quest for a seventh franchise championship. The Rattlers blew out the Pirates, shutting them out 29-0 in the first half, and winning the game (53-16). Following their historic win, the Rattlers avenged their previous United Bowl defeat to Massachusetts and secured their 7th team championship as the 2024 IFL Champions. Davonte Merriweather was named the game's MVP with 3 key interceptions.

## Players of note
### Arena Football Hall of Famers

Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football Hall of Fame :
| Players |||||
| No. | Name | Positions | Seasons | Inducted |
| 14 | Hunkie Cooper | QB | 1993–2007 | 2011 |
| 13 | Sherdrick Bonner | QB | 1993–2007 | 2012 |
| 17 | Randy Gatewood | WR/LB | 1996–2007 | 2012 |
| 44 | Bob McMillen | FB/LB | 1995–2000 | 2013 |
| Coaches and executives |||||
| Name | Name | Positions | Seasons | Inducted |
| Danny White | Danny White | HC | 1994–2002 | 2002 |
| Gene Nudo | Gene Nudo | VP/GM/HC | 1993–2007 | 2011 |

### Indoor Football League Hall of Famers

No Rattler player has been inducted into the Indoor Football League Hall of Fame.

### Retired numbers

Arizona Rattlers retired numbers :
| No. | Player | Position | Years played | Retired |
| 13 | Sherdrick Bonner | QB | 1993–2007 | June 16, 2010 |
| 14 | Hunkie Cooper | WR/LB | 1993–2005 | May 6, 2005 |
| 17 | Randy Gatewood | WR/DB | 1996–2007 | May 9, 2008 |

### Individual awards

AFL MVP :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 1993 | Hunkie Cooper | WR/LB |
| 2011 | Nick Davila | QB |
| 2014 | Nick Davila | QB |
| 2016 | Nick Davila | QB |
AFL Offensive Player of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 1998 | Calvin Schexnayder | OS |
| 2014 | Nick Davila | QB |
AFL Ironman of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 1999 | Hunkie Cooper | WR/LB |
| 2000 | Hunkie Cooper | WR/LB |
| 2003 | Randy Gatewood | WR/DB |
| 2006 | Randy Gatewood | WR/DB |
AFL Rookie of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 2010 | Rod Windsor | WR |
ArenaBowl MVP Winners :
| ArenaBowl | Player | Position |
| VIII | Sherdrick Bonner | QB |
| XI | Donnie Davis | QB |
| XXV | Nick Davila | QB |
| XXVI | Rod Windsor | WR |
| XXVII | Nick Davila | QB |
Offensive Lineman of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 2012 | Kyle Young | OL |
| 2013 | Billy Eisenhardt | OL |
| 2016 | Jordan Mudge | OL |
Kicker Player of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 2013 | Garrett Lindholm | K |
Defensive Back of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 2014 | Marquis Floyd | DB |
| 2015 | Jeremy Kellem | DB |
IFL Defensive Player of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 2019 | Davontae Merriweather | DB |
| 2021 | Dillon Winfrey | DB |
IFL Offensive Player of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 2018 | Darrell Monroe | RB |
IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 2018 | Jeff Ziemba | QB |
IFL MVP :
| Season | Player | Position |
| 2021 | Drew Powell | QB |

### All-Arena players

The following Rattlers players have been named to All-Arena Teams:
* QB Sherdrick Bonner (5), Nick Davila (5)
* FB Odie Armstrong (2), Mykel Benson (1)
* FB/LB Bob McMillen (2)
* WR Rod Windsor (6), Maurice Purify (1)
* WR/DB Cedric Tillman (1), Randy Gatewood (6)
* WR/LB Hunkie Cooper (4)
* OL Kyle Young (2), Brennen Carvalho (1), Michael Huey (3), Billy Eisenhardt (1), Jordan Mudge (1)
* DL Anttaj Hawthorne (2), Clifford Dukes (1), Mike McAdoo (1), Damien Borel (1), Dimetrio Tyson (1)
* OL/DL Doc Wise (1), Bryan Henderson (1)
* LB Tyre Glasper (3)
* DB Virgil Gray (2), Arkeith Brown (2), Marquis Floyd (1), Jeremy Kellem (1)
* K Fabrizio Scaccia (1), Garrett Lindholm (1)
* OS Hunkie Cooper (2), Calvin Schexnayder (2), Chris Horn (1)
* DS Cecil Doggette (1)
* KR Virgil Gray (1)

### All-IFL players

The following Rattlers players have been named to All-IFL Teams:
* QB Drew Powell (2)
* RB Darrell Monroe (1)
* WR Jerrod Harrington (1), Jarrod Harrington (1), Braxton Haley (1)
* OL Lamar Mady (3), Damian Love (1), Steven Gurrola (1), Kenny Thomas (1)
* DL Chris McAllister (1), Nikolaus D'Avanzo (1), Lance McDowell (1)
* LB Treyvon Williams (1)
* LB/DB Davontae Merriweather (1)
* DB Allen Chapman (2), Davontae Merriweather (1), Dillon Winfrey (2), Tyrell Pearson (1)
* K Sawyer Petre (1), Jimmy Camacho (1), Ernesto Lacayo (1)

### All-Ironman players

The following Rattlers players have been named to All-Ironman Teams:
* WR/DB Randy Gatewood (2)
* WR/LB Hunkie Cooper (3)
* OL/DL Stacy Evans (1), Wendall Gaines (2)

### All-Rookie players

The following Rattlers players have been named to All-Rookie Teams:
* QB Chad May
* WR Tandon Harvey
* WR/LB Chris Horn
* OL/DL Stacy Evans, Wendall Gaines, Bryan Henderson

## Notable coaches
### Head coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2019 Indoor Football League season.
| Name | Term | Regular Season | Regular Season | Regular Season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Awards |
| Name | Term | W | L | Win% | W | L | Awards |
| Danny White | 1992–2004 | 121 | 55 | .688 | 20 | 10 | 1993 Coach of the Year |
| Todd Shell | 2005 | 7 | 9 | .438 | 0 | 0 | |
| Gene Nudo | 2006–2007 | 12 | 20 | .375 | 1 | 1 | |
| Kevin Guy | 2008–present | 141 | 41 | .775 | 17 | 7 | 2011, 2016 Coach of the Year |

### Staff
## Team ownership

The Arizona Rattlers introduced Ron Shurts as the team's new majority owner on May 12, 2011.
"I have been an Arizona Rattlers season ticket holder since day one and attended the first Arizona Rattlers game at America West Arena. I believe in the team and the Arena Football League," said Shurts. "I want to bring the passion and excitement for Rattlers football back to US Airways Center and the Valley."
"Downtown Phoenix continues to grow and the Rattlers will be an integral part of the affordable, family-fun entertainment that the Suns and the Mercury are providing the local community," Shurts added.

## Media
### 1992–1995

The first broadcaster of the Rattlers was KUTP UPN-45. They would televise home & away games, whichever games were not picked up by ESPN, to include playoff games.

### 1996–2003

KASW-TV WB6 WB61 took over broadcasting the Rattlers.

### 2004–2008

Starting in the 2004 season, the Arizona Rattlers partnered with FOX Sports Arizona (now Bally Sports Arizona). That first season, they televised 4 games. When the 2005 season came, the Arena Football League announced a partnership with FOX Sports Regional Networks to televise games regionally. In addition, the Arizona Rattlers announced they would also produce games with FOX Sports Arizona separate from the League contract.

### 2010

After the cancellation of the 2009 season and return of the Arena Football League. The Arizona Rattlers announced a new broadcast deal with KAZT-TV AZTV 7 to broadcast up to eight games of the 2010 season. The partnership ended after one season after KAZT would not renew their broadcast partnership with the Rattlers in the 2011 season.

### 2011

After major changes of ownership throughout the 2011 season the Arizona Rattlers announced a new broadcast deal in mid season to return to FOX Sports Arizona with some games carried on FOX Sports Arizona Plus.

### 2012–2014

As the 2012 season approached the Arizona Rattlers would again announce that they would be moving their broadcasts to a new home this time to Cox7 Arizona with longtime Arizona sports caster Kevin Ray and Dale Hellestrae calling the game in the booth with Chris Harris on the sidelines and Lindsay Smith on Social Media. Cox7 was known as the Rattlers best broadcaster by televising all nine of their home games including selected away games that were simulcasted to other teams broadcasts. Cox7 also did Pregame Shows with the Rattlers before every home game showing documentaries and Talking LIVE before the game. The Partnership became a major success for Cox7 the Arizona Rattlers later extended their contract with Cox7 through the 2014 season when the announcement was made in November 2012.

### 2015–2016

After the major success with Cox7 Arizona, the Rattlers would not renew with the station after their contract expired in the 2014 season and announced they would move their broadcasts back to FOX Sports Arizona, broadcasting up to only 3 home games and one playoff game on FOX Sports Arizona Plus. However, the Rattlers still carried over the same broadcast team from Cox7 Arizona with Kevin Ray, Dale Hellestrae and Chris Harris calling the game. The Rattlers were also seen on National broadcasts on ESPN2 and CBS Sports Network until 2016 when they left the AFL.

### 2017–2018

All Indoor Football League games are streamed live on YouTube. Their games were also still aired on FOX Sports Arizona and FOX Sports Arizona Plus.

### 2019

In 2019, Arizona Rattlers aired all home games on The CW Phoenix for the 2019 season. The 2019 United Bowl, which was being hosted by the Arizona Rattlers, was televised by FOX Sports Arizona Plus. All Arizona Rattlers games were also streamed on YouTube.

### 2021

In 2021, Rattler home games began airing on KPHE-TV LATV 44 in Phoenix with Floyd Simmons and Sherdrick Bonner on play-by-play and Joe Pequeno as sideline reporter. All games continue to be streamed on YouTube. All games are also being broadcast on the radio on KQFN The Fanatic AM 1580, FM 99.3 and FM 95.9. All telecasts were produced by Simmons Media Group.

### 2022

In 2022, the Arizona Rattlers broadcasts returned to YurView (Formerly Cox7 Arizona), with Floyd Simmons and Sherdrick Bonner continuing to call the games along with Joe Pequeno sideline reporting. All telecasts continued to be produced by Simmons Media Group. Also during the 2022 season, YurView became the new official broadcast home for the Tucson Sugar Skulls. Marking the first time ever the Rattlers and Sugar Skulls telecasts air on the same TV station.