Kansas City Command

The Kansas City Command (formerly the Kansas City Brigade) were a professional arena football team that played in the Arena Football League (AFL). The team was founded before the 2006 season. Former Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Kevin Porter served as head coach. The team's new head coach in 2011 was Danton Barto; he also coached the AFL's Las Vegas Gladiators, af2's Memphis Xplorers and Manchester Wolves, and the IFL's Arkansas Diamonds.

Kansas City Command
Established 2006
Folded 2012
Played in Sprint Center
in Kansas City, Missouri
KCCommand.com
League/conference affiliations
Arena Football League (2006–2008, 2011–2012)
Current uniform
Team colorsBlue, black, and white
     
MascotCaptain Max Runway
Personnel
Owner(s)Chris Likens,
Neil Smith,
and other co-owners
Head coachDanton Barto
Team history
  • Kansas City Brigade (2006–2008)
  • Kansas City Command (2011–2012)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Playoff appearances (1)
Home arena(s)

The team played at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri and later moved to the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City for the 2008 AFL season. The team was owned by a Kansas City local, Chris Likens. One of the most notable co-owners is former Kansas City Chiefs star Neil Smith. Captain Max Runway[1] was named the mascot of the team in June 2007.

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, containing most of the VooDoo's players. 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 National Conference Southern Division, where they would take New Orleans' spot for the year.

2006 season

On February 19, 2006, after losing the first three games of their inaugural season, the Brigade finally had their first victory 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 recorded 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 National Conference Southern Division.

2007 season

With the New Orleans VooDoo returning to the league's National Conference Southern in 2007, the Brigade switched conferences and divisions, as they moved to the American Conference 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, they were plagued by injuries and the Crush won 49–42, despite Colorado coming into the game with a four-game losing streak.

2008 season

The 2008 season saw the longest field goal in franchise history (58 yards by Peter Martinez).[2]

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter was named the starter on June 3, 2008. Carter lost all three of his starts. Quarterback D. Bryant was named to the AFL's 2008 All-Rookie Team.[3] The Brigade suspended football operations following the 2008 season.

2011 season

Kansas City returned for the 2011 AFL season and was renamed the Kansas City Command.[4] The logo and color scheme remained the same and home games were still played at the Sprint Center in the heart of Kansas City. The Command went 0–3 to start the 2011 AFL season but bounced back with a win in their first home game against National Conference Central Division rival Iowa Barnstormers.[5]

2012 season

The Command played the 2012 AFL season finishing 4th in the Central division at 3-15. On August 23, the team announced that they were shutting down operations and would not be returning to the AFL for the 2013 season.[6]

Coaches
Head coach Tenure Regular season
record (W–L)		 Post season
record (W–L)		 Most recent
coaching staff		 Notes
Kevin Porter 2006–2008 16–32 0–1 OC: Rickey Foggie
DC: Vacant
DL coach: Otis Moore
OL coach: Travis Crusenberry
Danton Barto 2011–2012 9–27 0–0 OL & ST:Richard McCleskey
DC: Brian Hug
DB coach: Eldrick Hill
WR coach: Tod Devoe

Season-by-season
Main article: List of Kansas City Command seasons

Notable players

Final roster
Kansas City Command roster
Quarterbacks

Fullbacks

  • 44 Lee Bryant
  • 45 Victor Mann

Wide receivers

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Kickers

 Injured reserve

Other league exempt

  • Currently vacant

Refused to report

  • -- Ryan Jones DB
  • -- Jason Jones WR

League suspension

  • Roster updated July 19, 2012
  • 24 Active, 23 Inactive

Individual award

All-Arena players

The following Brigade/Command players were named to All-Arena Teams:

All-Ironman players

The following Brigade/Command players were named to All-Ironman Teams:

All-Rookie players

The following Brigade/Command players were named to All-Rookie Teams:

Retired numbers

Notes
  1. http://www.kcbrigade.com/max_runway.htm
  2. "2008 AFL season one for the record books". Arenafan.com. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  3. "Arena Football League Awards". Arenafan.com. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  4. "AFL announces Three Teams To Be Added For 2011 Season". Arenafootball.com. 2012-08-07. Archived from the original on 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  6. "Kansas City Command bows out; new team forms in new league - Kansas City Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
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