Colorado Crush
| Colorado Crush | |||||
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Established 2002 Folded 2008 Played in Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado | |||||
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| League/conference affiliations | |||||
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| Team colors |
Navy, Burnt Orange, Beige | ||||
| Mascot | Crusher | ||||
| Personnel | |||||
| Owner(s) |
John Elway Pat Bowlen Stan Kroenke | ||||
| General manager | John Elway | ||||
| Head coach | Mike Dailey | ||||
| Team history | |||||
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| Championships | |||||
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League championships (1) | |||||
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Conference championships (1) | |||||
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Division championships (2) | |||||
| Playoff appearances (5) | |||||
| 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 | |||||
| Home arena(s) | |||||
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The Colorado Crush were an arena football team based in Denver, Colorado. They began play as a 2003 Arena Football League as an expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009. They were last coached by Mike Dailey and owned by a coalition of Denver sports figures led by John Elway.
Negotiations with a Denver ownership group (known not to be the Elway group) are underway for a future AFL expansion franchise in Denver, but it is unclear whether or not it will use the Crush branding or that of the Denver Dynamite, an earlier AFL team. Like the Dallas Desperados, the Crush's branding is partially based on NFL teams (the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams, though to a much lesser degree), which could give Pat Bowlen and/or Stan Kroenke a potential veto over any usage of the Colorado Crush branding. On July 15, 2015, the Crush name was acquired by the Indoor Football League franchise formerly known as the Colorado Ice as the trademark for the name expired in 2014 according to their ownership.[1]
History
In June 2002, it was announced that John Elway (Co-Owner and Chief Executive Officer), with Stan Kroenke, owner of the Avalanche, the Nuggets, the Rapids, Pepsi Center, & the Altitude Sports network and the majority Broncos owner Pat Bowlen would be bringing an arena football team to Denver.[2] The Crush competed in the Central Division of the American Conference. After a bad inaugural season in 2003, in which they finished 2-14, the Crush rebounded to go 11-5 and make the playoffs in their second year. On June 12, 2005 they won ArenaBowl XIX (19) in Las Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center over the Georgia Force 51-48, in only their third year of existence.[3]
In their fourth year, the Crush ended up 11-5, with the American Conference Central title for the second year in a row. In the Divisional Round however, the Crush lost in an upset to the fifth-seeded (and eventual ArenaBowl champion) Chicago Rush 63-46.
The team's mascot was an anthropomorphic bull named "Crusher."[4]
New beginning
On July 15, 2015, the Indoor Football League franchise previously known as the Colorado Ice announced that they would change their name to the Colorado Crush, but would have no ties to the former AFL franchise.[1] According to team owner Tom Wigley, the trademark of the Crush name expired the year before meaning that the original Crush ownership no longer had a say in the use of the name.
On October 19, 2016, The Colorado Crush announced former Denver Broncos linebacker Al Wilson will be a co-owner of the team. The other portion of the team will be owned by project FANchise. "FANchise will bring their revolutionary mobile technology platform to the Colorado Crush, bridging the gap between traditional sports, fantasy sports, and e-sports and providing a truly interactive and immersive experience for fans... with fans hiring the coach, choosing the players, and calling plays in real time. "-fanchi.se
Highlights
- On Sunday, June 12, 2005, the Crush hosted the American Conference Championship game against their division rival, the Chicago Rush. Colorado had the lead late in the game 43-40 and Defensive Back Rashad Floyd managed to intercept a touchdown pass from Quarterback Matt D'Orazio, but it turns out that he was called for holding. Chicago would tie the game with kicker Keith Gispert's 17-yard field goal. In overtime, the Crush would get the win with Quarterback John Dutton completing a 22-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Antowone 'Andy' McCullough, sending them to ArenaBowl XIX (where they would eventually win).And won 2 before and 2 after On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this game is at #20.[5]
- On Friday, February 6, 2004, in a Week 1 contest against the Las Vegas Gladiators, the Crush were still looking for their first home win in franchise history. In the final 12 seconds of the game, the Crush would have Quarterback John Dutton complete a seven-yard touchdown pass to Wide Receiver Damian Harrell (with a failed two-point conversion), recover an onside kick, and have Dutton complete a 33-yard pass to Harrell. With 12 points in 12 seconds, Colorado would win 43-42 and get their first-ever win at home. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is at #15.[6]
- On Saturday, February 5, 2005, in a Week 2 home game against their division rival, the Grand Rapids Rampage, Quarterback John Dutton would throw a franchise-best eight touchdowns in a 72-56 win, yet this was overshadowed by Rampage Quarterback Michael Bishop becoming the very first player in AFL history to run for 100 yards in a single game. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is at #12.[7]
Coaches
| Head coach | Tenure | Regular season record (W-L) |
Post season record (W-L) |
Most recent coaching staff | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Beers | 2003 | 2-14 | 0-0 | ||
| Mike Dailey | 2004 - 2008 | 46-34[8] | 6-3[8] | DC: Tommy Johnson (2009)[9] OC: Chris MacKeown (2009)[10] DL: Tony Federico (2003–2008) ST Coordinator / WR coach: Matt Gardner (2004–2008) |