Post by DiamondThief on Apr 13, 2014 14:04:06 GMT -8
On that day last August of the Arena Bowl, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the band KISS announced they would be putting together a new team based out of Southern California. They would go on to name it after their band. For all intents and purposes, it's an expansion team, though the AFL does not call it that. I did not pay much attention to the KISS, as they are a thousand miles south of my home town. The only mention I had really heard of the KISS is when they offered embattled NFL "quarterback" Tim Tebow a contract.
Tebow declined (too bad, since I honestly think it could be his last chance to play professional football) and the KISS began building their organization and their team.
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley address the crowd prior to the game.
Less than two months later, it was announced that a Portland had entered the AFL. The yet to be named team instantly hired a coach, and began to accumulate players. The build was on. It took the newest arena football franchise a while to come up with a name and then a logo, but fans -- even many who disapproved of the name and logo -- were joining in to show their support in one way or another.
As soon as I learned Portland would have a team, and knowing that the KISS would play in Anaheim (rather than L.A.), I sent an e-mail to my cousin who lives in Orange County. David is a freshman in college near his home and loves this kind of thing, much like his cousins up north. You know, those he sweetly calls, "Those Oregonians." David, a country music listener, told us quite a while ago that he would be attending a few KISS games this season. This first one of those would be the home opener on April 5 against, who else, the Thunder.
My cousin, David
The following is a Q&A with David about his experience. He was also good enough to relay a few photos to accompany this interview.
What was it that first made you interested in the AFL, the KISS and the Thunder?
A lot of people think that arena football is not real football. That's not right. I remember arena or indoor football teams in L.A. before and it's a different kind of game. The players are not NFL guys, but that doesn't matter. They are pros and they are trying to win.
What is the difference between the NFL and the AFL?
The level of the players. The NFL has the better players. The AFL has guys who haven't quite made it to the NFL even though some of them like Kurt Warner and Oronde Gasdon have had decent NFL careers.
So what does the AFL have over the NFL?
The excitement and pace of play. Most of the time there is a lot of scoring in the AFL that you don't usually see in the NFL. The field is shorter and things happen faster. The clock doesn't always stop in the AFL like it does in the NFL. It is a much faster pace and that's more exciting. Sometimes NFL games bore me when they are so low scoring.
How far in advance did you buy the tickets for the KISS' home opener?
That's funny. I bought them the night of the game. I got good seats. Tenth row.
A lot has been made about the KISS' experience there. What was it really like?
There was a lot going on. They've got a really pretty dance team. They had the world's favorite heavy metal band (Steel Panther) who I had never heard of. They lowered a couple of players down from the rafters. That was kind of cool. The girls dancing in the cages during the pre-game show was cool, but I didn't know they would be there the whole game. I think they changed them at halftime, but once the game started my attention went to that instead of the dancers. They have a team guitarist who is cute, but when she did the National Anthem, the Thunder players weren't on the field. I think that's wrong. I really didn't like that. I also thought the PA announcer thinks he's a whole lot more clever than he actually is. He said a couple of funny things, but other than that, I think he was an idiot.
Did you actually get a chance to watch the game?!
Yes I did. That's why I went. It was two teams who are behind the 8-Ball. The KISS had a head start because they started before the Thunder did. I like Portland's coach. It might take some time, but I think he'll put together a solid team.
What was the crowd like?
It was a pretty good sized crowd. It seems like they were eating it up. I actually sat a couple rows behind (Thunder wide receiver) Justin Monahan's parents. I didn't realize that until about halftime. They were cool. I didn't really talk to them but I overheard them talking about him. They were definitely proud.
What surprised you most about the game itself?
Portland committed a lot of penalties. They also took a lot of sacks on one single drive. The KISS started out well and then Portland got back into the game. Portland would have won this game with half the penalties they had.
Do you plan on going to some other games?
Yeah. I love the NFL and college football but it's the off-season. The AFL is different, but there is a lot of action. I don't know how many other games I'll go to. It's a good thing to do so when some friends want to get together I think we'll go. My dad and I have also talked about going to a game or two.
KISS players gather before the game.
KISS QB J.J. Raterink lines up the offense.
The Thunder defense prepares for the upcoming play.
I want to thank my cousin for his input here and for the photos of the game itself.
Tebow declined (too bad, since I honestly think it could be his last chance to play professional football) and the KISS began building their organization and their team.
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley address the crowd prior to the game.
Less than two months later, it was announced that a Portland had entered the AFL. The yet to be named team instantly hired a coach, and began to accumulate players. The build was on. It took the newest arena football franchise a while to come up with a name and then a logo, but fans -- even many who disapproved of the name and logo -- were joining in to show their support in one way or another.
As soon as I learned Portland would have a team, and knowing that the KISS would play in Anaheim (rather than L.A.), I sent an e-mail to my cousin who lives in Orange County. David is a freshman in college near his home and loves this kind of thing, much like his cousins up north. You know, those he sweetly calls, "Those Oregonians." David, a country music listener, told us quite a while ago that he would be attending a few KISS games this season. This first one of those would be the home opener on April 5 against, who else, the Thunder.
My cousin, David
The following is a Q&A with David about his experience. He was also good enough to relay a few photos to accompany this interview.
What was it that first made you interested in the AFL, the KISS and the Thunder?
A lot of people think that arena football is not real football. That's not right. I remember arena or indoor football teams in L.A. before and it's a different kind of game. The players are not NFL guys, but that doesn't matter. They are pros and they are trying to win.
What is the difference between the NFL and the AFL?
The level of the players. The NFL has the better players. The AFL has guys who haven't quite made it to the NFL even though some of them like Kurt Warner and Oronde Gasdon have had decent NFL careers.
So what does the AFL have over the NFL?
The excitement and pace of play. Most of the time there is a lot of scoring in the AFL that you don't usually see in the NFL. The field is shorter and things happen faster. The clock doesn't always stop in the AFL like it does in the NFL. It is a much faster pace and that's more exciting. Sometimes NFL games bore me when they are so low scoring.
How far in advance did you buy the tickets for the KISS' home opener?
That's funny. I bought them the night of the game. I got good seats. Tenth row.
A lot has been made about the KISS' experience there. What was it really like?
There was a lot going on. They've got a really pretty dance team. They had the world's favorite heavy metal band (Steel Panther) who I had never heard of. They lowered a couple of players down from the rafters. That was kind of cool. The girls dancing in the cages during the pre-game show was cool, but I didn't know they would be there the whole game. I think they changed them at halftime, but once the game started my attention went to that instead of the dancers. They have a team guitarist who is cute, but when she did the National Anthem, the Thunder players weren't on the field. I think that's wrong. I really didn't like that. I also thought the PA announcer thinks he's a whole lot more clever than he actually is. He said a couple of funny things, but other than that, I think he was an idiot.
Did you actually get a chance to watch the game?!
Yes I did. That's why I went. It was two teams who are behind the 8-Ball. The KISS had a head start because they started before the Thunder did. I like Portland's coach. It might take some time, but I think he'll put together a solid team.
What was the crowd like?
It was a pretty good sized crowd. It seems like they were eating it up. I actually sat a couple rows behind (Thunder wide receiver) Justin Monahan's parents. I didn't realize that until about halftime. They were cool. I didn't really talk to them but I overheard them talking about him. They were definitely proud.
What surprised you most about the game itself?
Portland committed a lot of penalties. They also took a lot of sacks on one single drive. The KISS started out well and then Portland got back into the game. Portland would have won this game with half the penalties they had.
Do you plan on going to some other games?
Yeah. I love the NFL and college football but it's the off-season. The AFL is different, but there is a lot of action. I don't know how many other games I'll go to. It's a good thing to do so when some friends want to get together I think we'll go. My dad and I have also talked about going to a game or two.
KISS players gather before the game.
KISS QB J.J. Raterink lines up the offense.
The Thunder defense prepares for the upcoming play.
I want to thank my cousin for his input here and for the photos of the game itself.