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ARIZONA RATTLERS HISTORY
Year By Year
September 28, 2009: Arena Football One, which incorporates teams from the AFL and arenafootball2, is launched. The Arizona Rattlers are included in what would eventually be 15 teams for the inagural season.
November 16, 2009: The Arizona Rattlers officially re-launch. The team names Kevin Guy Head Coach and Danny White Team President and announces the signings of 23 players.
December 15, 2008: Arena Football League suspends 2009 season. The Arizona Rattlers do not play a game for the first time since in 17 years.
August 10, 2007: Kevin Guy is named the fourth Head Coach in team history.
August 16, 2007: Team owner, Bob Hernreich, announces the team has added a new investment group to its ownership base headed by Operating Partner Brett Bouchy, former owner and President of the AFL’s Orlando Predators.
October 30, 2007: Rattlers guarantee that they will make the playoffs or they will give season ticket holders 100% of their money back, becoming the first team in sports history to do so.
January 23, 2008: Rattlers move Football Ops, including all team practices, to Mesa’s GeneAutryPark.
May 9, 2008: The Rattlers retire team legend Randy Gatewood’s #17 at halftime of their division battle against San Jose.
May 15, 2008: The AFL announced that its Board of Directors unanimously approved the use of instant replay for the 2008 playoffs, marking the first time in the AFL’s 22-season history that replay will be used.
May 31, 2008: The Rattlers make good on the boldest guarantee in sports history by clinching a playoff berth with a 60-53 victory over the Orlando Predators, owner Brett Bouchy’s former team.
June 2, 2008: The now playoff-bound Rattlers announced a 3-year partnership with the Valley of the Sun YMCA to form the Junior Rattlers Flag Football League.
June 3, 2008: DB Isaiah Trufant is named ADT Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in the team’s playoff-clinching win over Orlando in Week 14. Trufant made an interception, forced two fumbles, made six tackles, and broke up a pass.
June 8, 2008: The Rattlers defeat Kansas City 73-34 to clinch a first-round home playoff game. The team forces four first-half turnovers for the second straight week en route to a team-record 49 points in a half, and add a fifth turnover in the second half. The team also breaks the record for most points in a quarter with 36 in the second quarter. The team scores in all three-phases of the game (offense, defense, and special teams) for the first time all season.
March 3, 2007: Randy Gatewood passes Hunkie Cooper as the Rattlers all-time leading receiver, breaking the old mark of 8,599 yards. Gatewood will finish the season, and his Rattler career, with 9,009 yards receiving.
March 3, 2007: Sherdrick Bonner sets the AFL career record by starting his 14th season with the same team.
March 16, 2007: Bo Kelly sets the AFL’s all-time career yards rushing against the Colorado Crush in a 56-54 loss. Kelly will finish the season with 1,571 career rushing yards, 1,455 of which came with the Rattlers.
April 20, 2007: Rattlers score a team record 83 points against the Utah Blaze. Sherdrick Bonner becomes the first quarterback in AFL history to throw for at least 2,000 yards in 12-straight seasons in an 83-69 victory over the Utah Blaze.
April 28, 2007: Sherdrick Bonner becomes the third quarterback in AFL history to pass for 800 touchdowns in a 67-45 loss to the New York Dragons.
May 5, 2007: Bo Kelly breaks his own Rattlers record of 63 rushing attempts in a single-season in a 56-49 loss to the San Jose SaberCats. He will finish the season with 81 carries.
May 12, 2007: Sherdrick Bonner becomes the second quarterback in AFL history to pass for 40,000 yards in a 53-41 victory over the Austin Wranglers.
May 26, 2007: Bo Kelly breaks his own Rattlers record of 197 rushing yards in a single-season in a 53-47 loss to the Chicago Rush. Kelly will finish with 222 yards on the season.
June 3, 2007: Sherdrick Bonner, playing in his last game with the Rattlers, sets the team’s single-season passing record with 4,036 yards, breaking his own mark of 3,991 set last season.
June 3, 2007- June 11, 2007: Rattlers tie a team record with three consecutive quarters without allowing a point over the span of two games against Las Vegas (6/3) and Los Angeles (6/11).
June 11, 2007: Keyuo Craver sets the Rattlers single-season record with his 96th total tackle. He will finish the season with 113 total tackles. Craver also sets the new Rattlers mark with his 85th solo tackle and finishes the season with 97.
June 16, 2007: Keyuo Craver sets the Rattlers single-season record with his 31st assisted tackle and finishes the season with 32 assisted tackles. Randy Gatewood ends his Rattlers’ career with a team-high 36 career interceptions.
June 19, 2007: Rattlers announce that Gene Nudo will not be returning as Head Coach for the 2008 season, but will remain with the organization in a football administrative and consulting capacity. Nudo compiled a 13-21 record in two seasons, including a trip to the American Conference Semifinals in 2006.
June 27, 2007: DB Keyuo Craver and WR Trandon Harvey are named to the AFL’s all-rookie team. Craver set Rattler records with 113 tackles, 97 solo tackles, and 32 assisted. Harvey led all rookies with 30 touchdown receptions and led the Rattlers with 101 receptions, 1,412 yards, and 34 touchdowns.
July 1, 2005: Bobby Hernreich, minority owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, purchases the Arizona Rattlers from Suns Legacy Partnership.
September 15, 2005: General Manager Gene Nudo, who has been with the Rattlers organization for over 12 years, is named Head Coach.
January 29, 2006: The Rattlers, one of the AFL’s most storied franchises, kick-off their 15th season in existence.
February 18, 2006: Head Coach Gene Nudo records his first win at the Arizona helm as the Rattlers beat the Utah Blaze 45-38 at the U.S. Airways Center.
March 17, 2006: Offensive specialist Darrell Jones becomes the first player in Rattlers history to return two kickoffs for a touchdown in a game.
March 24, 2006: Sherdrick Bonner throws his 700th career touchdown pass.
May 5, 2006: Randy Gatewood catches his 200th career touchdown pass.
May 20, 2006: Head Coach Gene Nudo notches his first postseason win as the Rattlers head coach with a 57-34 victory over the Utah Blaze at the U.S. Airways Center.
June 1, 2006: Randy Gatewood is selected as the 2006 U.S. Army Ironman of the Year as voted by the League’s head coaches, players, fans and Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA). He also won the award following the 2003 season making him only the third multiple winner in AFL history.
July 1, 2004: The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Arena Sports are sold to Arizona Banker Robert Sarver. The Rattlers are included in the sale, becoming a part of Suns Legacy Partnership.
July 22, 2004: The Rattlers announce that they will not renew the contract of Danny White, ending his 13-year tenure as Head Coach and General Manager.
August 2, 2004: The Arizona Rattlers introduce Todd Shell as their new Head Coach. Shell returns to Arizona, where he began his career as Defensive Coordinator in 1992.
April 10, 2004: Hunkie Cooper passes the 20,000 career all-purpose yard mark, joining George LaFrance as the only men in AFL history to reach that number in an 80-63 win over Las Vegas. Cooper is the fifth man in Pro Football history to hit 20,000.
April 18, 2004: Bryan Henderson records his seventh sack of the season in a 71-48 win over Dallas, establishing a new franchise single season record. Henderson will finish the season with eight sacks.
May 1, 2004: Sherdrick Bonner surpasses the 30,000 career passing yards mark.
May 9, 2004: Sherdrick Bonner throws his 600th touchdown pass, becoming one of only three men to throw for over 30,000 yards and 600 touchdowns.
May 30, 2004: Sherdrick Bonner finishes the regular season with 3,833 passing yards, a new single season franchise record. The Rattlers defeat the San Jose SaberCats 50-43 in San Jose to clinch the Western Division Championship and the No. 1 seed throughout the AFL Playoffs.
June 2, 2004: The Arena Football League names Bryan Henderson First Team All-AFL.
June 3, 2004: The Arena Football League names Wendall Gaines to the All-Ironman Team.
June 13, 2004: The Rattlers clinch their third consecutive ArenaBowl appearance by defeating the Colorado Crush 45-41. It is Arizona’s fifth ArenaBowl in 13 years. The victory is the franchise record setting tenth in a row.
June 27, 2004: America West Arena hosts an ArenaBowl for the first time since 1997, as the Rattlers take on the San Jose SaberCats in ArenaBowl XVIII. In perhaps the greatest AFL Championship game in history, 17 records are tied or broken. However, the Rattlers become the first team in history to lose three straight title games, falling to the Cats 69-62.
February 2, 2003: The Rattlers open the season at home versus the San Jose SaberCats. The game is televised nationally on NBC, the new home of the Arena Football League.
February 23, 2003: Hunkie Cooper becomes the AFL’s all-time leader in kickoff returns, breaking George LaFrance’s record with his 461st career return in a 62-54 win at Indiana.
March 23, 2003: Randy Gatewood intercepts his seventh pass of the season against San Jose, setting a new franchise single-season record. Gatewood finished the year with nine.
April 6, 2003: Sherdrick Bonner becomes the third man in Arena Football history to throw for over 25,000 career yards when he finds Nikia Adderson for a 15-yard touchdown pass.
April 13, 2003: The Rattlers set a franchise record by scoring 82 points in an 82-76 OT win over the Los Angeles Avengers. Sherdrick Bonner sets a franchise record with his 470 yards. Bonner also becomes the third man in Arena Football history to throw 500 career touchdown passes. Number 500 comes on a 36-yard strike to Orshawante Bryant. It was one of a franchise record tying nine touchdown tosses on the day for Bonner.
April 19, 2003: Arizona becomes the first team in AFL history to score 80+ points in consecutive games. The Rattlers outlast the Grand Rapids Rampage 82-81 in overtime.
April 26, 2003: Randy Gatewood sets a franchise record with his 23rd career interception. Gatewood finishes 2003 with 24 career interceptions. Bo Kelly surpasses the 1, 000 career rushing yard mark in the Rattlers 62-22 win over the Carolina Cobras.
May 18, 2003: Sherdrick Bonner finishes the regular season with franchise records in touchdown passes (88) and yards (3,692). Bo Kelly sets a franchise record with 197 rushing yards.
June 1, 2003: The Rattlers set a franchise playoff record with 70 points in a 70-63 quarterfinal victory over Los Angeles. Arizona broke the record set the previous week in a 69-26 first round romp over the Las Vegas Gladiators.
June 4, 2003: Randy Gatewood is named the Arena Football League’s 2003 Ironman of the Year. Gatewood also joins teammate Sherdrick Bonner on the All-AFL First Team. Gatewood is also named to the All-Ironman team. Bryan Henderson is named to the All-Rookie Team.
June 8, 2003: Arizona earns its second consecutive ArenaBowl berth by knocking off the defending champion San Jose SaberCats 66-49 in San Jose.
June 22, 2003: The Rattlers lose their second straight championship game, falling 43-29 to the Tampa Bay Storm in ArenaBowl XVII. It is the Rattlers 20th game of the season, an Arena Football record.
May 31, 2002: Rattler QB Sherdrick Bonner passes New York Dragons’ QB Aaron Garcia’s record of career touchdown passes. On the same touchdown pass that broke Garcia’s record, Rattlers WR/LB Hunkie Cooper became only the 7th player in AFL history to score 1,000 points in the his career in the AFL.
June 22, 2002: Rattlers FB/ Bo Kelly rushed for his 50th career touchdown, making him only the sixth player in AFL history to reach that mark.
August 11, 2002: The Rattlers defeat the Chicago Rush 46-35 to earn the third ArenaBowl berth in franchise history.
August 18, 2002: The Rattlers fall to the San Jose Sabercats 52-14 in ArenaBowl XVI.
August 16, 2002: Rattlers Vice President of Operations Gene Nudo was awarded the Arena Football League’s Founder’s Award for his life-long dedication to the sport of Arena Football.
August 16, 2002: Rattlers OS Chris Horn was named First Team All-Arena, and QB Sherdrick Bonner and DS Cecil Doggette were named to the Second Team. Rattlers OL/DL Stacy Evans and WR/DB Randy Gatewood were named to the AFL’s All-Ironman team.
May 12, 2001: Defensive Specialist Cecil Doggette became the Rattlers all-time leader in tackles when he surpassed Cedric Walkers’ record of 266.
May 20, 2001: With his 67-yards in kick returns against the Indiana Firebirds, Hunkie Cooper broke the 10,000 yard mark for career kick return yards and became only the second player in AFL history to break the 10,000 yard mark.
June 23, 2001: Rattler Bo Kelly surpasses Bob McMillen’s old record of 530 yards and became the Rattlers all-time leading rusher.
June 30, 2001: Danny White becomes only the second coach in AFL history to reach the 100-win mark.
August 17, 2001: Rattlers rookie WR/LB Chris Horn earns All-Rookie Honors.
May 5, 2000: Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner became only the fifth player in AFL history to pass for 15,000 yards or more during his career.
May 20, 2000: FB/LB Bob McMillen became the Rattlers all-time leading rusher when he surpassed Bo Kelly’s record of 437 yards.
May 20, 2000: The Rattlers hold the Albany Firebirds scoreless in the first half for the first time in Firebirds history.
May 27, 2000: Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner joined the 15,000-300 club when his seven touchdown night gave him 301 career touchdown passes.
June 10, 2000: Rattlers head coach Danny White moves into sole possession of second place in regular season victories with his 76th win.
June 10, 2000: Hunkie Cooper sets the record for touchdown returns with his 17th career touchdown return, eclipsing George LaFrance’s old record of 16.
July 22, 2000: With a 58-50 victory in Iowa, the Rattlers become only the seventh team in league history to go undefeated on the road in a season.
August 17, 2000: Rattlers Vice President Gene Nudo receives a record third Executive of the Year honor for his hard work in establishing excellence within the organization.
August 17, 2000: Rattlers receive fifth consecutive Commissioner’s Award given annually to the team organization that excels both on the field and off, in the business aspects of operating a team.
August 17, 2000: Rattlers receive the AFL Support Staff of the Year Award recognizing the hard work and efforts put forth by the teams athletic trainers and equipment manager.
August 7, 1999: The Rattlers win their first-ever day game at AWA, notching a 34-30, first-round playoff win over Nashville. The Saturday matinee was televised nationally on ESPN.
August 11, 1999: Following a stint with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Rattlers’ all-time leading passer Sherdrick Bonner returns to quarterback the team in its semifinal playoff game at Albany.
August 14, 1999: Rattlers Gene Nudo earns his second Executive of the Year award for his work within the Rattlers organization.
May 3, 1998: Rattlers beat the Iowa Barnstormers in the Hall of Fame Game in Iowa, 61-40. The weekend included the induction of the first class of Hall of Fame inductees.
July 16, 1998: Offensive Specialist Calvin Schexnayder breaks the AFL record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,701 with two games remaining. The Rattlers beat the New York CityHawks, 62-34, holding them to a franchise record-tying 7 points in the first half.
August 2, 1998: Calvin Schexnayder pulls the trifecta, leading the league and setting records for most receptions (136), most yards (1,982), and most touchdowns (44, tied mark) receiving in a season. The Rattlers end the season with a dramatic win over Nashville, 59-55, and the second seed in the playoffs.
August 7, 1998: The Rattlers play and Danny White coaches their 100th game. It happens to be a first round playoff game against the Houston ThunderBears and a 50-36 victory for the Rattlers.
August 15, 1998: The Rattlers lose to eventual ArenaBowl XII champion Orlando Predators, 38-33. It was the fourth time the Rattlers had been knocked out of the playoffs with less than 0:10 remaining in the game.
June 21, 1997: Rattlers sellout the newly expanded America West Arena, i.e. the Snake Pit, for the first time as 16,923 fans watch the Rattlers down the Florida Bobcats 58-41.
June 27, 1997: The Rattlers win their eighth straight game with a 47-40 win over the Milwaukee Mustangs giving Danny White his 50th win of his AFL coaching career.
July 31, 1997: Rattlers close the 1997 season with a franchise best 12-2 record earning home field advantage throughout the playoffs with the number one seed for the first time in team history. A last second 31-yard field goal by Anthony Brenner seals the 38-36 win over the New York CityHawks.
August 16, 1997: Rattlers host a semifinal playoff game for the first time defeating the Tampa Bay Storm for the first time since 1994 with a thrilling 49-46 overtime game. Rattlers QB Donnie Davis replaced an injured Sherdrick Bonner and connected with Randy Gatewood for the winning score in overtime. The win earns the Rattlers the right to host the championship game, ArenaBowl XI, for the first time.
August 24, 1997: Rattlers are awarded the 1997 Commissioner’s Award for an unprecedented second year in a row. Rattlers’ Vice President Gene Nudo receives the league’s Executive of the Year Award.
August 25, 1997: ArenaBowl XI - Danny White orchestrates a 55-33 domination of the Iowa Barnstormers with MVP quarterback Donnie Davis giving the Rattlers their second World Championship. Hunkie Cooper earns Ironman honors with a kickoff return and an interception return for touchdowns. The win also gives the Rattlers a 15-2 mark, the best in franchise history. An over-capacity crowd of 17,436 fans sets a Rattlers record in the Snake Pit to watch the game.
June 28, 1996: The 500,000th fan, Skip Ulman, walked through the turnstile into the “Snake Pit” in a game against the St. Louis Stampede. The Rattlers enjoyed over 98% of the America West Arena’s 15,505-seat capacity through its first five seasons.
July 3, 1996: Head coach Danny White captures his 40th win in a blowout, 74-48, over the Texas Terror.
July 13, 1996: Rattlers win a regular season franchise record nine games in a row with a 51-45 win over the Connecticut Coyotes before losing to Tampa Bay the next week. The game also marks a 7-0 undefeated season at home for the first time in franchise history and the 23rd sellout at the America West Arena.
August 10, 1996: The Rattlers beat the Orlando Predators, 65-48, in the first round of the playoffs. It was the fourth straight win over their rivals, dating back to ArenaBowl VIII. It ties the all-time series at 4-4.
August 16, 1996: The Rattlers lose to the Tampa Bay Storm 55-54, failing to convert a two-point conversion with nine seconds remaining. They are denied a trip to the ArenaBowl in the last second for the second time in four seasons.
August 25, 1996: The Arizona Rattlers receive the 1996 AFL’s Commissioners Award. The award recognizes the best team organization for its achievements both on and off the field, in the business aspects of operating a team.
May 12, 1995: The Rattlers win a heart-stopping 43-37 overtime season opener versus the San Jose SaberCats and former Rattlers defensive coordinator Todd Shell.
August 6, 1995: Rattlers head coach Danny White becomes only the third AFL coach to win 30 games in a 41-40 thriller over San Jose, securing a home playoff game for the third year in a row.
August 13, 1995: The Rattlers lose 56-52 to the Iowa Barnstormers on a 31-yard pass with two seconds remaining. The first round loss is the first in franchise history.
August 12, 1994: The Rattlers earn a home playoff game and the fourth seed after a wacky final second win over the Las Vegas Sting. Zeph Lee recovers an errant Luis Zendejas field goal in the end zone to win 51-46.
August 18, 1994: Rattlers win second first round home playoff game in a row over the Charlotte Rage, 52-24.
August 27, 1994: Rattlers get revenge for a regular season loss, defeating the Albany Firebirds, 40-33, to earn the franchise’s first ever trip to the ArenaBowl.
September 2, 1994: The Rattlers stun the Orlando Predators, 36-31, in ArenaBowl VIII to capture the franchise’s and the state’s first world championship.
April 23, 1993 - Former Phoenix Cardinal running back Stump Mitchell and former Arizona State quarterback Paul Justin are signed.
July 30, 1993: The Rattlers finish their second season 7-5 and earn their first-ever berth into the AFL Playoffs.
August 8, 1993: Win first-ever playoff game, at home, over the Charlotte Rage, 56-49. Marks the twelfth consecutive sell-out in the America West Arena, and the only AFL team to sell-out every home game for the second straight season.
August 13, 1993: The Rattlers sweep league awards. Bryan Colangelo earns Executive of the Year, Danny White earns Coach of the Year, and Hunkie Cooper takes Most Valuable Player honors.
September 11, 1991: Suns owner Jerry Colangelo receives formal approval of his application to the Arena Football League by the league's Board of Directors.
October 10, 1991: Former Arizona State and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White is named as the team's first-ever General Manager and Head Coach.
December 6, 1991: The Arizona Rattlers officially receive their name. Jan Curry-Dillingham of Phoenix submits the winning entry as more than 5,000 entries poured in during the team contest. "Arizona Rattlers" appeared on over 200 entries. Curry-Dillingham received two season tickets for life as the grand prize winner.
March 28-29, 1992: The Rattlers conduct their first-ever tryout camp. More than 350 participants attended the camp at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Head Coach Danny White and his staff sign 11 players from the camp.
May 21, 1992 - The Rattlers play their first-ever game, a preseason contest against
the Cincinnati Rockers in San Diego. The Rattlers lose, 55-31.
May 30, 1992 - The Rattlers make their official AFL debut, losing on the road to the Albany Firebirds, 62-35. Roy Hurd scores the first Rattler touchdown on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Steve Belles.
June 13, 1992 - The Rattlers make their home debut, defeating the Sacramento Attack, 51-36, before a sellout crowd of 15,505 in the America West Arena. The game is the first sporting event in the arena, and the first victory in Rattlers' history.
July 25, 1992 - The Rattlers close out their home schedule by becoming the first team in AFL history to sell-out its entire home schedule. The Rattlers defeat the San Antonio Force, 54-31.
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