Tampa Bay Storm

Arena football team

Tampa Bay Storm

Established 1987
Folded 2017
Played in Amalie Arena
in Tampa, Florida
TampaBayStorm.com
League/conference affiliations
Arena Football League (1987–2017)

* National Conference (1993–2008)
* American Conference (2010–2016)
* South (1991, 1995–2008, 2010–2015)

Current uniform

Team colors| Blue, gold, white

Mascot| Storm Dawg
Personnel
Owner(s)| Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment
Chairman| Jeffrey Vinik[1]
President| Derrick Brooks
Head coach| Ron James
Team history

* Pittsburgh Gladiators (1987–1990)
* Tampa Bay Storm (1991–2017)

Championships
League championships (5)
1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2003
Conference championships (1)
2010
Prior to 2005, the AFL did not have conference championship games
Division championships (5)

* Southern: 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003

Playoff appearances (24)
1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017
Home arena(s)

* Civic Arena (1987–1990)
* ThunderDome (1991–1996)
* Amalie Arena (1997–2017)

The Tampa Bay Storm were a professional arena football team based in Tampa, Florida, US. It played in the Arena Football League (AFL). Originally the team was located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and operated as the Pittsburgh Gladiators. The franchise was one of the original four that launched the Arena Football League for its inaugural season in 1987. The club was relocated to the Tampa Bay area for the 1991 season, being the last of the original teams to either fold or leave its market. After 26 years in the Tampa market, the team ceased operations in December 2017.

The team actually played outside Tampa in nearby St. Petersburg from 1991 to 1996, then in Tampa until 2008, after which point the AFL suspended operations and did not return until the 2010 season following the league's restructuring. It had been in the same city for longer than any other AFL team. During its tenure the franchise won five ArenaBowl championships. With 241 wins, the Storm had won far more games than any other team in AFL history. After the team dissolved in 2017, indoor football in the Tampa Bay area was succeeded by the Tampa Bay Tornadoes who began to play in 2021 in the American Arena League.

The club was last owned by Jeffrey Vinik, also the owner of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. Home games were played at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

## History

[edit]

The Storm holds the Arena Football League record for the longest tenure by a franchise in a single market area. It was also the last of the original four franchises (the Chicago Bruisers, Denver Dynamite and Washington Commandos were the other three) to have operated in continuous existence from the formation of the league in 1987 until the present decade before ceasing operations.

### Pittsburgh Gladiators (1987–1990)

[edit]

When arena football was first announced in 1986, Jim Foster targeted Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for an inaugural franchise due to the great football tradition of the area.[2] The franchise was originally known as the Pittsburgh Gladiators, and was one of the original four AFL teams formed in 1987. The team was named by Robert Ninehouser whose entry for the team name was selected in 1987. They originally played their home games at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in Pittsburgh. On June 19, 1987, the Gladiators defeated the Washington Commandos 48–46 in the first ever AFL regular season game.[3] The Gladiators participated in ArenaBowls I[4] and III,[5] losing both.[6]

### Moving to St. Petersburg (1991–1994)

[edit]

The team moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1991, with the team taking on the "Storm" moniker. A Cleveland Arena Football League franchise later bore the Gladiators name; however, other than the coincidental names the two organizations shared no link in histories.

The Storm won the ArenaBowl in its first season in Tampa Bay (V) and has won four subsequent championships (VII,[7] IX, X, and XVII). Up to the 2006 season, the Storm had qualified for the playoffs in every season but one during their time in Tampa Bay.

T.B. Storm Logo (1991–1996)

The team played in the former ThunderDome[8][9] in St. Petersburg (now called Tropicana Field) from 1991–1996, becoming its first regular team sports tenant.[10] Since 1997, the team played its home games in the Amalie Arena in Tampa and previously known as the Ice Palace, St. Pete Times Forum, and Tampa Bay Times Forum.

### Tim Marcum era (1995–2010)

[edit]

After the 1994 season, Greis sold the team to Peter "Woody" Kern[11] for $850,000.[12] Kern's first move as the Storm owner was the hiring of coach Tim Marcum,[11] who is widely regarded as the greatest coach in arena football history.[citation needed]

On March 14, 2002, Kern had the opportunity to sell the Storm, receiving an offer from Michigan mortgage broker Thom Hopper for what was then a record price of $12 million. Hopper submitted two payments totaling $1.6 million before Kern regained possession of the team. Later in 2006, Hopper pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges that authorities say resulted from his attempt to buy the Storm. He was sentenced in January to nearly three years in prison and ordered to pay at least $1.8 million in restitution to a title insurance company, according to media reports.

On December 23, 2004, Sports Illustrated[13] reported that the AFL's players' union filed a grievance against the Storm. The reason was that seven of the Storm's players claimed that some of the diamonds in their 2003 AFL championship rings were fake. Six of the seven players had left the team after the 2003 season. The Storm acknowledged that some of the rings did, in fact, include cubic zirconia instead of diamonds, and that different players received greater amounts of diamonds in their rings based on their contributions that season.

The Storm ended the 2006 season with a 7–9 record (4th in their division), ending a 19-year streak of playoff appearances, dating back to their days as the Gladiators and the start of the Arena Football League.

In December 2007, Kern sold 51% of his stake in the Storm to Robert Nucci for just over $9.6 million, while still maintaining control of the other 49%.[12] The Storm followed a 9–7 season and first-round playoff exit in 2007 with an 8–8 finish in 2008. The team salvaged the .500 record by defeating the Los Angeles Avengers 72–47 in Tampa. There was no 2009 Arena Football League season due to the league's ongoing financial difficulties, which resulted in its filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, later converted to Chapter 11, leaving it uncertain if the Storm, arguably the most successful team in the history of any form of indoor football, would ever play another game.

### New AFL (2010–2017)

[edit]

T.B. Storm Logo (1997–2011)

A new arena football league, originally called Arena Football 1, formed in 2009. The Storm was not one of the initial 16 teams announced. However, Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings owner Dan Newman mentioned that the Storm were one of at least two former AFL franchises that were being negotiated with, the other being the San Jose SaberCats.[14] The new organization bought the rights to the intellectual property, including the team names, logos, histories, and patented rules of the old AFL in a bankruptcy auction, which allowed it to function essentially as a full successor; after this action, the name Arena Football 1 was dropped and the group resumed operating as the Arena Football League. The Storm resumed full operations for the new league's 2010 season, with some players from the former roster, and once again coached by Tim Marcum and this time owned by Tampa Bay Storm Partners LLC, a group led by Todd Boren, a previous partner with the Orlando Predators and the Arizona Rattlers. The AFL released the schedule for the season on December 31, 2009. The Storm returned during the opening weekend of the season on April 3, 2010.[15] On February 17, 2010, it was formally announced that the AF1 had adopted the former Arena Football League name.

The Storm playing against the Iowa Barnstormers during the 2013 season.

In the 2010 season the Storm went 11–5, finishing second in the South Division. In the playoffs, they earned a trip to ArenaBowl XXIII, but lost to the Spokane Shock 57–69.

On February 17, 2011, Marcum would resign as head coach of the Storm less than a month before the 2011 season was to begin, after having the position for 15 years. He left as the AFL's all-time winningest head coach with 211 wins. Dave Ewart was named as the team's new head coach the next day.[16][17] His resignation was sparked by an admission in a deposition related to a lawsuit he had filed against the Storm's previous owner, Robert Nucci. In that deposition, Marcum admitted to forwarding emails that were pornographic and racially tinged to other members of the Storm organization, using his work email address.[18] In April 2011, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks became a part owner and the team president for the Storm.[19] After a 7–4 start to the 2013 season, the Storm lost the final seven games of the season, but still qualified for the postseason.[20] The Storm played well in their playoff game, but came up just short against the Jacksonville Sharks.[20] The team's collapse lead to the firing of Ewart.[20] One month later, the team announced they had promoted offensive coordinator, and Storm legend Lawrence Samuels to the team's head coach.[21] Samuels and the Storm mutually agreed to part ways in August 2016.[22] On October 25, 2016, Ron James was named the head coach.[23] In 2017, the Storm finished the regular season with a 10–4 record and later advanced to ArenaBowl XXX, where they lost to the Philadelphia Soul by a score of 44–40.[24][25]

In December 2017, the Storm announced it was ceasing operations due to increasing operating costs combined with decreasing team revenue. Ownership did not rule out future participation in a "stronger, reinvented AFL."[26] The Storm was the last of the original four AFL teams to cease operations.

## Storm highlights

[edit]

The Storm in 2017

* In a 1996 playoff game against the Arizona Rattlers the Storm had the lead late in the game, but the Rattlers came down the field and scored a touchdown with little time left on the clock. Rather than try to tie the game with an extra point, Rattlers coach Danny White elected to go for the win with the two-point conversion. Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner was stopped short and the Storm won the game. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights this is ranked at number 10.
* During a 1991 regular season game, the Storm found themselves down 17 points against the Albany Firebirds. However, they rallied late in the game to take a 57–53 lead. But it wasn't over yet as the Firebirds had five seconds left to come up with the touchdown from midfield. The Storm won the game with an interception off the nets. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is ranked #8.
* ArenaBowl V found the Detroit Drive hosting the Tampa Bay Storm. With seconds left in the game, quarterback Jay Gruden threw deep to Stevie Thomas in the endzone. It was complete, and the Storm won the ArenaBowl. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is ranked number 5.
* Stevie Thomas saves the Storm: During a 1995 semifinal game between Albany and Tampa Bay, Albany took a late one-point lead with seconds left on the clock. On the ensuing kickoff the Storm couldn't field the ball off the nets and Stevie Thomas found himself in the very back of the endzone. Thomas broke five tackles at once coming out of the endzone and went all the way for a touchdown to give the Storm the win 56–49. They later went on to capture their 3rd ArenaBowl in 5 years. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is at #2.
* On March 16, 2012, the Storm became the first AFL team to win 200 games in league history with a 50–47 victory over the Georgia Force.[27]
* The Storm had a heated rivalry with the Orlando Predators known as the War on I-4. Both teams found success and faced each other in the ArenaBowl and playoffs numerous times.

## Players

[edit]

### Final roster

[edit]

Tampa Bay Storm roster

Quarterbacks

*  8 Chris Bonner
* 12 Randy Hippeard

Fullbacks

* currently vacant

Wide receivers

* 11 LaMark Brown
* 81 Joe Hills
* 15 Justin Hilton
* 17 Kendrick Ings
* 10 Michael Lindsey

|  | Offensive linemen

* 72 Leonardo Bates
* 68 Ryan Cave
* 66 Cornelius Lewis
* 50 Raymond McNeil
* 60 Jeremiah Warren

Defensive linemen

* 91 Antron Dillon
* 90 Monte Lewis
* 99 Jordan Miller
* 93 Kendall Montgomery
* 42 Meshak Williams

|  | Linebackers

* 16 Alvin Ray Jackson
* 55 Dexter Jackson

Defensive backs

*  3 Allen Chapman
*  4 Arthur Hobbs
*  9 LaRoche Jackson
* 14 Al Phillips

Kickers

* 18 Mark Lewis

|  | Injured reserve

* \-- Xavier Boyce WR (IR)
* 21 Jabari Gorman DB (IR)
* \-- Rick-J Hill DB (IR)
* \-- Byron Isom OL (IR)
*  2 Dallas Jackson DB (IR)
* 49 Max Nacewicz DL (IR)
* \-- Ben Ossai OL (IR)
* 55 Dominie Pittman DL (IR)
* 85 Caesar Rayford DL (IR)
*  1 Cortez Stubbs DB (IR)
* \-- Isaiah Tuiasosopo OL (IR)

Inactive reserve

* currently vacant

League suspension

* 26 Emanuel Cook DB (Susp.)
* \-- Devonte Danzey OL (Susp.)
* \-- Cornelius Dixon OL (Susp.)
* \-- Justin Edison DL (Susp.)
* \-- Adam Kennedy QB (Susp.)
*  5 Greg Reid DB (Susp.)
* 26 Anthony Shutt DB (Susp.)

Other league exempt

* currently vacant

Inactive reserve

* currently vacant

Refuse to report

* 69 Miles Mason OL (DNR)
* \-- Jesse Somsel OL (DNR)

Recallable reassignment

*  3 Paul Stephens DB

Rookies in itlatics
Roster Archived 2016-07-13 at the Wayback Machine updated August 14, 2017
24 Active, 21 Inactive

### Retired numbers

[edit]

Tampa Bay Storm retired numbers

N°  | Player  | Position  | Seasons  | Ref.
7 | Jay Gruden | QB | 1991–1996 | [28]
20 | Stevie Thomas | WR/LB | 1991–1999 | [29]
22 | Lawrence Samuels | WR/LB | 1995–2000, 2002–2010 | [30]
24 | Tracey Perkins | DS | 1991–1999 | [31]
25 | George LaFrance | OS | 1994–1999 | [29]
76 | Al Lucas | DL | 2003 | [32]
78 | Sylvester Bembery | OL/DL | 1994–1999, 2001 | [29]

### Arena Football Hall of Famers

[edit]

Tampa Bay Storm Hall of Famers

No.  | Name  | Year Inducted  | Position(s)  | Years w/ Storm
78 | Sylvester Bembery | 2011 | OL/DL | 1994–1999
2001
30 | Andre Bowden | 2014 | FB/LB | 1991–1993
1997–2001
2003–2004
7 | Jay Gruden | 1999 | QB | 1991–1996
25 | George LaFrance | 2011 | OS | 1994–1999
\-- | Joe March | 2000 | OL/DL | 1993–1996
\-- | Tim Marcum | 1998 | Head Coach | 1995–2010
22 | Lawrence Samuels | 2013 | WR/LB | 1994–2000
2002–2010
| Omarr Smith | 2014 | WR/DB | 2003
20 | Stevie Thomas | 2011 | WR/DB | 1991–1999
54 | Craig Walls | 1998 | OL/DL | 1987–1988

### Individual awards

[edit]

| AFL MVP

Season  | Player  | Position
1987 | Russell Hairston | WR/DB
1992 | Jay Gruden | QB
2017 | Randy Hippeard | QB

| AFL Defensive Player of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
1997 | Tracey Perkins | DS
1998 | Johnnie Harris | DS

| Ironman of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
1990 | Thomas Monroe | WR/DB

| AFL Rookie of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
1999 | Charles Wilson | OS
2007 | Brett Dietz | QB

| ArenaBowl MVP Winners

ArenaBowl  | Player  | Position
V | Stevie Thomas | WR/LB
VII | Jay Gruden | QB
IX | George LaFrance | OS
X | Stevie Thomas | WR/LB
XVII | Lawrence Samuels | WR/LB

| Lineman of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
1996 | Kent Wells | OL/DL

| Defensive Lineman of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2011 | Cliff Dukes | DL

| AFL Playmaker of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2017 | Kendrick Ings | WR

| AFL Offensive Player of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2017 | Randy Hippeard | QB

Wide Receiver of the Year

Season  | Player  | Position
2017 | Joe Hills | WR

### All-Arena players

[edit]

The following Gladiators/Storm players were named to All-Arena Teams:

* QB Willie Totten (1), Jay Gruden (2), Peter Tom Willis (1), Brett Dietz (1)
* FB/LB Lynn Bradford (1), Andre Bowden (3), Cedric McKinnon (1), Les Barley (1)
* WR Joe Hills (1), T. T. Toliver (1)
* WR/DB Russell Hairston (1), Mike Stoops (1), Alvin Williams (1), Thomas Monroe (1), Julius Dawkins (1), Melvin Cunningham (1)
* WR/LB Stevie Thomas (1), Lawrence Samuels (4)
* OL Tom Kaleita (1), George Bussey (1)
* DL Tim McGill (3), Jermaine Smith (1)
* OL/DL Craig Walls (2), Keith Browner (1), Tom Gizzi (1), Deatrich Wise (1), Kent Wells (2), Willie Wyatt (4), Sylvester Bembery (2), Rod Williams (1), B. J. Cohen (1), Nyle Wiren (1)
* LB Lawrence Samuels (1), Cliff Dukes (2)
* DB James Harrell (1)
* K Matt Black (1)
* DS Corey Dowden (1), Tracey Perkins (2), Johnnie Harris (1), Tommy Henry (1), Omarr Smith (1)
* OS/KR Stevie Thomas (1), James Bowden (1)

### All-Ironman players

[edit]

The following Gladiators/Storm players were named to All-Ironman Teams:

* FB/LB Les Barley (1), Andre Bowden (1), Torrance Marshall (1)
* WR/DB T. T. Toliver (1)
* WR/LB Lawrence Samuels (4)
* OL/DL B. J. Cohen (1)

### All-Rookie players

[edit]

The following Gladiators/Storm players were named to All-Rookie Teams:

* QB Brett Dietz
* OL/DL Al Lucas
* OS Charles Wilson
* DS Tommy Henry
* K Matt Huerkamp

## Coaches of note

[edit]

### Head coaches

[edit]

Name  | Term  | Regular season  | Playoffs  | Awards

|
|
|
|

W  | L  | Win%  | W  | L
Joe Haering[33] | 1987–1990 | 15  | 13  | .536  | 0  | 3  |
Darrel Jackson[34] | 1989 | 1  | 1  | .500  | 1  | 1  |
Fran Curci[35] | 1991 | 8  | 2  | .800  | 2  | 0  | AFL Coach of the Year (1991), ArenaBowl winning coach (V).
Lary Kuharich[36] | 1992–1994 | 25  | 9  | .735  | 4  | 2  | ArenaBowl winning coach (VII)
Tim Marcum[37] | 1995–2010 | 140  | 77  | .645  | 16  | 10  | 2× AFL Coach of the Year (1987, 1998), 3× ArenaBowl winning coach (IX, X, XVII), AFL Hall of Fame (1998), Founder's Award winner (2001)
Dave Ewart[38] | 2005–2006, 2011–2013 | 25  | 34  | .424  | 0  | 2  |
Lawrence Samuels[39] | 2014–2016 | 17  | 35  | .327  | 0  | 1  |
Ron James[40] | 2017 | 10  | 4  | .714  | 1  | 1  | AFL Coach of the Year (2017)

### Staff

[edit]

Final Tampa Bay Storm staff

| Front office

* Owner/Chairman – Jeffrey Vinik
* President – Derrick Brooks
* Chief operating officer – Steve Griggs
* AFL board member – Elmer Straub

|   |  |

Coaches

* Head coach – Ron James
* Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator – Doug Kay
* Offensive assistant coach – Shane Stafford
* Defensive line/linebackers – Austin Wilson
* Special teams coach – Gary Gussman

## Cheerleaders

[edit]

The Storm created an official cheerleading squad called the "Storm Cheerleaders."[41]

## Radio and television

[edit]

The Tampa Bay Storm games were broadcast on Storm Radio, which was on 1250-AM WHNZ. The final radio play-by-play announcer was Darek Sharp, who was also a producer and broadcaster for AM 620 WDAE, and the radio color commentator was Ian Beckles.

## Season-by-season

[edit]

Main article: List of Tampa Bay Storm seasons

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Lightning (NHL) Owner, Vinik, Purchases Storm". Arena Football League. January 13, 2011. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
2. ^ "Arena football: a whole new indoor ball game". Gettysburg Times. May 16, 1986. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
3. ^ Tuma, Gary (June 20, 1987). "Gladiators smashing in 48-46 win". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 19, 2013 – via Google News Archive.
4. ^ "Glads wilt in 'Bowl'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 3, 1987. Retrieved February 14, 2013 – via Google News Archive.
5. ^ "Drive Arena Bowl Champs". The Argus-Press. August 18, 1989. Retrieved September 20, 2013 – via Google News Archive.
6. ^ "Arena Football League Championship : Taylor Leads Dynamite, 45-16". Los Angeles Times. August 2, 1987. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
7. ^ "Tampa Bay tops Detroit for title". Star-News. August 22, 1993. Retrieved March 14, 2014 – via Google News Archive.
8. ^ Davey, Monica (July 31, 1993). "That rumbling's not so distant". Tampa Bay Times. p. 1B. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
9. ^ Buckley, Tim (October 10, 1993). "Lightning's spark? It was on the bench". Tampa Bay Times. p. 6C. Retrieved April 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ Mills, Roger (August 18, 1994). "Storm franchise for sale". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1C. Retrieved April 8, 2025. "Tampa Bay Storm owner Bob Gries said Wednesday that he intends to sell the franchise at the end of the season, but insisted the team would remain in the Tampa Bay area."
11. ^ a b "Team History". Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football. Yahoo!. February 20, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
12. ^ a b "Rider Of The Storm: AFL Team Introduces Nucci As New Owner". sportsbusinessdaily.com. American City Business Journals. December 14, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
13. ^ McEntegart, Pete (December 23, 2004). "The 10 Spot". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 30, 2004.
14. ^ "Arena Football 1 to launch in 2010". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
15. ^ "2010 Regular Season Schedule" (PDF). arenafootballone.com.ismmedia.com.
16. ^ "Tim Marcum Resigns After 15 Seasons With the Storm". TampaBayStorm.com. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
17. ^ "Storm Name Dave Ewart Head Coach". TampaBayStorm.com. Tampa Bay Storm. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on March 1, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
18. ^ "Tim Marcum Resigns". TampaBay.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012.
19. ^ Stroud, Rick (April 12, 2011). "Derrick Brooks to become Tampa Bay Storm president, part owner". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
20. ^ a b c Wright, Brandon (August 6, 2013). "Storm fires head coach Dave Ewart". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
21. ^ Wright, Brandon (September 5, 2013). "Storm taps Samuels as coach". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
22. ^ "Storm And Lawrence Samuels Mutually Agree To Separate". arenafan.com. August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
23. ^ "Storm Names Ron James Head Coach". arenafan.com. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
24. ^ "Tampa Bay's James Named Marcum-Moss Head Coach of the Year". arenafootball.com. August 25, 2017. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
25. ^ "Soul Snare Second Straight Foster Trophy in ArenaBowl XXX". arenafootball.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
26. ^ Smith, Joe (December 21, 2017). "Tampa Bay Storm suspending operations". Tampa Bay Times.
27. ^ Ivie, Erie R. (March 17, 2012). "Tampa Bay Storm Notch 200th Victory in Franchise History". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
28. ^ "Gruden's Jersey Out Of Retirement". Orlando Sentinel. June 10, 2002. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
29. ^ a b c "Three Storm Greats to be Honored". Tampa Bay Storm. March 6, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2013.[permanent dead link]
30. ^ Eric R. Ivie (April 12, 2012). "Tampa Bay Storm to Honor Legends on April 30". Yahoo!. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
31. ^ Frank Pastor (June 9, 2002). "Jersey issue spices up rivalry". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
32. ^ "Storm To Remember Lucas This Weekend" (Press release). Tampa Bay Storm. April 26, 2005. Retrieved April 8, 2025 – via OurSports Central.
33. ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Joe Haering". ArenaFan. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
34. ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Darrel Jackson". ArenaFan. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
35. ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Fran Curci". ArenaFan. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
36. ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Lary Kuharich". ArenaFan. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
37. ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Tim Marcum". ArenaFan. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
38. ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Dave Ewart". www.arenafan.com. ArenaFan. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
39. ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Lawrence Samuels". ArenaFan. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
40. ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Ron James". ArenaFan. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
41. ^ "Storm Cheerleaders". Tampa Bay Storm. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website Archived 2008-06-03 at the Wayback Machine
* Tampa Bay Storm at ArenaFan
* Pittsburgh Gladiators at ArenaFan

* v
* t
* e

Tampa Bay Storm

* Formerly the Pittsburgh Gladiators
* Founded in 1986
* Folded in 2017
* Based in Tampa, Florida

Franchise|

* Franchise
* Seasons
* Players
* History of the Arena Football League in Pittsburgh

Arenas|

* Civic Arena
* Thunderdome
* Amalie Arena

Culture|

* War on I-4

Head coaches|

* Haering
* Jackson
* Curci
* Kuharich
* Marcum
* Ewart
* Samuels
* James

Playoff appearances (24)|

* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2007
* 2010
* 2013
* 2016
* 2017

Division championships (5)|

* 1995
* 1996
* 1998
* 1999
* 2003

ArenaBowl appearances (10)|

* I
* III
* V
* VII
* IX
* X
* XII
* XVII
* XXIII
* XXX

Hall of Fame members|

* Sylvester Bembery
* Andre Bowden
* Jay Gruden
* George LaFrance
* Joe March
* Tim Marcum
* Lawrence Samuels
* Stevie Thomas
* Craig Walls

Retired numbers|

* 7
* 20
* 22
* 24
* 25
* 76
* 78

League affiliations|

* League: Arena Football League

Seasons (30)

1980s|

* 1987
* 1988
* 1989

1990s|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999

2000s|

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* ~~2009~~

2010s|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017

Championship navigation boxes

* v
* t
* e

Tampa Bay Storm ArenaBowl V champions

* 1 Darren Willis
* 5 Chip Ferguson
* 7 Jay Gruden
* 20 Stevie Thomas (MVP)
* 24 Tracey Perkins
* 29 Thomas Monroe
* 30 Andre Bowden
* 32 Bo Wright
* 55 Carl Watts
* 65 Pat Sperduto
* 75 Dan Tarabella
* 82 Brad Calip
* \-- Reid Bennett
* \-- Lynn Bradford
* \-- Keith Browner
* \-- Rawland Crawford, Jr.
* \-- John Darnell
* \-- Tom Gizzi
* \-- Kevin Guidry
* \-- Paul Hickert
* \-- Anthony Howard
* \-- Tony Jones
* \-- Jeff Mayes
* \-- Robert Smith
* \-- Riley Ware
* \-- Adrian Wright
* \-- Tony Young
* \-- Marc Zeno

* Head coach: Fran Curci

* v
* t
* e

Tampa Bay Storm ArenaBowl VII champions

* 1 Darren Willis
* 7 Jay Gruden (MVP)
* 20 Stevie Thomas
* 24 Tracey Perkins
* 30 Andre Bowden
* 55 Carl Watts
* 65 Pat Sperduto
* \-- Les Barley
* \-- Eddie Brown
* \-- Keith Browner
* \-- Bobby Byrd
* \-- Tony Chickillo
* \-- Arden Czyzewski
* \-- Dennis Dahlke
* \-- Corey Dowden
* \-- Amod Field
* \-- Anthony Howard
* \-- Ralph Jarvis
* \-- Terry Jordan
* \-- Terry Karg
* \-- Darrin Kenney
* \-- Joe March
* \-- Jeff Mayes
* \-- David Smith
* \-- Carl Thomas
* \-- Deatrich Wise
* \-- Jerry Woods

* Head coach: Lary Kuharich

* Coaches: Doug Kay
* Lynn Bradford

* v
* t
* e

Tampa Bay Storm ArenaBowl IX champions

* Grantis Bell
* Sylvester Bembery
* Eddie Brown
* Bobby Byrd
* Ivan Caesar
* Jorge Cimadevilla
* Chris Conlin
* Corey Dowden
* Johnny Eaton
* Jay Gruden
* Tony Harris
* Tony Jones
* Jake Kelchner
* George LaFrance (MVP)
* Joe March
* Cedric McKinnon
* Tracey Perkins
* Jamie Redmond
* Lynn Rowland
* Lawrence Samuels
* Tracy Sanders
* Stacey Simmons
* Stevie Thomas
* Kent Wells
* Wayne Williams
* Deatrich Wise
* Willie Wyatt

* Head coach: Tim Marcum

* Coaches: Dave Whinham

* v
* t
* e

Tampa Bay Storm ArenaBowl X champions

* Terry Beauford
* Sylvester Bembery
* Eddie Brown
* Ivan Caesar
* Richard Carey
* Jorge Cimadevilla
* Corris Ervin
* Willie Fears
* Jay Gruden
* Johnnie Harris
* Robert Jackson
* Jerold Jeffcoat
* Tony Jones
* George LaFrance
* Joe March
* Connell Maynor
* Cedric McKinnon
* Tracey Perkins
* Lamar Rogers
* Lynn Rowland
* Lawrence Samuels
* Tracy Sanders
* Stacey Simmons
* Stevie Thomas (MVP)
* Lonnie Turner
* Kent Wells
* Wayne Williams
* Antoine Worthman
* Willie Wyatt

* Head coach: Tim Marcum

* Coaches: Dave Whinham

* v
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Tampa Bay Storm ArenaBowl XVII champions

* 1 Kelvin Kinney
* 2 Gary Compton
* 3 John Kaleo
* 5 Hurley Tarver
* 6 Kenny Stucker
* 8 Clif Dell
* 9 David Saunders
* 14 Omarr Smith
* 17 Pat O'Hara
* 20 Keita Crespina
* 21 John Williams
* 22 Lawrence Samuels (MVP)
* 23 Corey Sawyer
* 30 Andre Bowden
* 34 David White
* 42 Basil Proctor
* 43 Darion Conner
* 44 Nyle Wiren
* 50 Rod Williams
* 57 Eric Thomas
* 64 Jorge Diaz
* 65 Ernest Certain
* 76 Al Lucas
* 81 Freddie Solomon
* 91 Sai Poulivaati
* 92 Troy Wilson
* 93 B. J. Cohen
* \-- T. T. Toliver

* Head coach: Tim Marcum

* Coaches: Dave Ewart
* Mitch Matuska

* v
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Defunct Arena Football League franchises

* Alabama Vipers (2010)
* Anaheim Piranhas (1994–1997)
* Arizona Rattlers (1992–2016)
* Austin Wranglers (2004–2007)
* Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings (2010)
* Carolina Cobras (2000–2004)
* Charlotte Rage (1992–1996)
* Chicago Bruisers (1987–1989)
* Chicago Politicians (1986)
* Chicago Rush (2001–2013)
* Cincinnati Rockers (1992–1993)
* Cleveland Thunderbolts (1991–1994)
* Colorado Crush (2003–2008)
* Columbus Destroyers (1999–2008)
* Connecticut Coyotes (1995–1996)
* Dallas Desperados (2002–2008)
* Dallas Texans (1990–1993)
* Dallas Vigilantes (2010–2011)
* Denver Dynamite (1987, 1989–1991)
* Detroit Fury (2001–2004)
* Florida Bobcats (1992–2001)
* Fort Worth Cavalry (1994)
* Georgia Force (2002–2008, 2011–2012)
* Grand Rapids Rampage (1998–2008)
* Houston ThunderBears (1996–2001)
* Indiana Firebirds (1990–2004)
* Iowa Barnstormers (2010–2014)
* Jacksonville Sharks (2010–2016)
* Kansas City Brigade/Command (2006–2012)
* Las Vegas Outlaws (2015)
* Los Angeles Avengers (2000–2008)
* Los Angeles Cobras (1988)
* Los Angeles Kiss (2014–2016)
* Massachusetts Marauders (1988–1994)
* Miami Vise (1987)
* Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001)
* Milwaukee Iron/Mustangs (2010–2012)
* Minnesota Fighting Pike (1996)
* Nashville Kats (1997–2001, 2005–2007)
* New England Steamrollers (1988)
* New Orleans Night (1991–1992)
* New Orleans VooDoo (2004–2005, 2007–2008, 2011–2015)
* New York Dragons (1995–2008)
* New York Knights (1988)
* Oklahoma Wranglers (1995–2001)
* Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (2010)
* Orlando Predators (1991–2016)
* Pittsburgh Power (2011–2014)
* Portland Thunder/Steel (2014–2016)
* Rockford Metros (1986)
* San Antonio Force (1992)
* San Antonio Talons (2010–2014)
* San Jose SaberCats (1995–2008, 2011–2015)
* Spokane Shock (2010–2015)
* St. Louis Stampede (1995–1996)
* Tampa Bay Storm (1987–2017)
* Toronto Phantoms (1997–2002)
* Utah Blaze (2006–2008, 2010–2013)
* Washington Commandos (1987–1989)

Related articles
Arena Football League
af2 (2000–2009)
ArenaBowl
AFL Arenas
Arena football
Arena Football video games

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*[WR]: Wide receiver
*[DB]: Defensive back
*[OL]: Offensive lineman
*[DL]: Defensive lineman
*[QB]: Quarterback
*[DNR]: Did Not Report. Players under contract who failed to report to the team for training camp.
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