AFL 2008: Week 11: Chicago Rush vs Los Angeles Avengers

[Tannerman]

New uniforms were in store when the Chicago Rush took on the Los Angeles Avengers in a little Week 11 Arena Football showdown. Looking a lot like the Oakland Raiders, the Rush sported a 3rd uniform highlighted by silver and black.

It's the black 3rd jersey in action tonight

Now, everyone knows that the only reason you come out with a 3rd uniform is to increase sales. A couple teams in the AFL have gone this route, more often with Russell Athletic doing the jerseys these days. At the beginning of the season, the Rush sent out an image via e-mail to their fans, asking them to vote for a 3rd uniform design. That image follows:

Which design would have gotten your vote?
(Source: ChicagoRush.com)

My opinion at the time? They all were pretty horrible in design. I know black/silver tends to sell well, but this look just didn't have anything to do with the Rush. Heck, black isn't even a part of our color scheme. Here's a look at the normal home uniform:

Normal Colors: The Rush play at home in all navy blue
(Source: ChicagoTribune.com)

The team's official color scheme doesn't even include black, as noted by our friends over at the Society for Sports Uniforms Research:

(Source: SSUR.org)


(Source: SSUR.org)

No matter what my opinion is, however, the Rush selected the first version in the fan vote photo, and they made their debut in the new look at this game. I must say, the unis did look pretty good in person, but they did not in any way look like the Rush. The Chicago Tribune snapped some nice photos:

(Source: ChicagoTribune.com)


(Source: ChicagoTribune.com)


(Source: ChicagoTribune.com)

As you can see, the look is pretty much all black. The navy blue helmets were switched out with silver helmets, which while they looked nifty, didn't really showcase the Rush logo very well. I did see quite a few people in the stands (including the season ticket holders who sit in front of us) wearing the new black jersey, so I guess the gimmick worked out!

I figured I should mention the actual game


Check out that score!

If the Rush won this game, they would have clinched the Central Division to the AFL... which isn't really that hard, but gives you a first-round bye in the playoffs. Well, I won't hold back. The Rush did win. In fact, they beat the Avengers by the largest margin in franchise history, 72-28. Yeah, we crushed them!

So yes, we're Central Division Champs


Digitally-enhanced close-up of Ditka

The game was big enough to bring part-owner Mike Ditka to it. He shows up at a few games, typically ones that are advantageous for him from a media perspective. This was a Monday night game on ESPN2, so that seemed to fit the bill.

East Endzone attendance check:
Was it really 15,904 people?

Technically, we had a decent turnout for the game, 15,904 folks. I don't totally buy that number, given that it was a Monday night game which are quite hard to attend for most folks... that and there were a lot of empty seats in the arena. I'd say that was a "papered" attendance number.

FakeBeth = Tiffany

There were some interesting promotions to highlight. That's a good thing, given how the game quickly became a blowout towards the end. To top it all of, the promotions emcee who we call FakeBeth (her real name is Tiffany, I believe)... let's just say that each week her attire is growing sluttier. Not quite sure the motivation there (though I'm sure most of the men in the audience didn't mind). I'm just curious regarding all the outfit changes from week-to-week, as we really didn't see that much of a similar trend in previous seasons. (My opinion? She doesn't have the rapport or appeal with the crowd that Beth did and is compensating accordingly.)

Bud Light Boxing

We had the wide array of standard promotions that are done at most games. For example, Bud Light boxing... where they grab two fans and have them battle it out in a fake ring, with audience voting on the winner. Last year it was a pretty lame promo, but they've had some good competitors this season, so it's been more entertaining.

Robbins Bros. Kiss Cam

Then there's the stadium default "kiss cam", this one sponsored by Robbins Bros. jewelers. Not much explaining needed here. It produces a decent laugh.

Hmm, where did Amy put those coupons?

At the end of the game, we were given coupons for White Castle chicken rings. I don't think I've ever had those. This, of course, resulted in a conversation between Amy and I regarding which was better... White Castle or Krystal. Apparently, my Mom has never had a White Castle slider. Say what?

TopGolf Promo, Take 5

Oh, and after 5 previously-lame home game attempts, the Chicago Rush promo folks finally figured out how to make the ridiculously-stupid TopGolf 2-guys-playing-video-games-on-the-field promotion actually resonate with fans. This time, they split the arena in half, with each cheering for a player. The winning side got free t-shirts. At least you actually had fans caring at this time, but only after you had to bribe them with additional promo stuff. This marketing idea remains one of the worst in Rush history.

Mascot football!

Finally, it was time for Halftime Mascot Football, a tradition at Rush games at least once a year. Basically, local sports team mascots are invited to come to participate in a football game between halves... and it's all fun. Sometimes it's a stretch to get mascots, because you have some from real teams (like the White Sox), some from teams that probably should have never existed (like the WBNA franchise in town, Chicago Sky), and some from organizations that aren't even teams, but sponsors (like the pigs from a BBQ joint).

Video: Halftime Mascot Football

What was the most fun to see was fan reaction when each mascot was introduced. Most popular? Our AHL Chicago Wolves mascot, Skates (they also play in the same arena, so obviously there was a home field advantage). Most booed? Southpaw from the Chicago White Sox. (Obviously, there were a lot of Cubs fans in attendance. The Cubs don't have a mascot, unless you consider drunken-fratboy, hipster doofuses who go to games for the "appeal of Wrigley Field" to be mascots.)

It's always fun to witness a win... we just got kinda spoiled with the way the Rush pulled this one off!

Arena Football Story Navigation
Previous - Next

2008
SJ - PHI - COL - ARI - GR - LA - KC - DAL

2007
@CMB - LA - PHI - COL - NSH - KC - LA

2006
NY - NSH - SJ - DAL - GR - LV - UTA
ArenaBowl XX - Celebration

2005
DAL - ORL - @GR - COL - LV - GR - @NSH

2004
GR - COL - @IND - ORL - DET - TB
LA - @DET - @GR - DAL - IND - ORL

2003
ORL

[Mommymeepa]

Looks like it was a fun game. I like last years uniforms WAYYYYY better.

[Tannerman]

Originally Posted by Mommymeepa

I like last years uniforms WAYYYYY better.

Well, the black unis were for one game only.

[Mommymeepa]

Some how I missed that. Cool!!