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) National Conference (2006, 2011–2012) South Division (2006) Central Division (2011–2012) American Conference (2007–2008) Central Division (2007–2008)
Current uniform
Team colors	Blue, black, and white
Mascot	Captain Max Runway
Personnel
Owner(s)	Chris Likens, Neil Smith, and other co-owners
Head coach	Danton 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)
2007
Home arena(s)
Kemper Arena (2006–2007) Sprint Center (2008, 2011–2012)

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

This section is transcluded from 2012 Kansas City Command season. (edit | history)

Kansas City Command roster
Quarterbacks  2 Zack Eskridge 13 Matt Gutierrez Fullbacks 44 Lee Bryant 45 Victor Mann Wide receivers  3 Jackie Chambers  7 Samie Parker 11 Armand Robinson 23 O. J. Simpson  8 Bret Smith		Offensive linemen 99 Cornelius Dixon -- Charles Hayes 54 Kimani Jones 75 Ken Scott Defensive linemen 92 Chris Asumnu 12 Tommy Chavis 40 Chris Lyle 94 Michael Robinson 48 Rico Reese		Linebackers  1 Brad Chavez 26 Tyler Knight Defensive backs 21 Rashad Barksdale  5 Kendall Davis  9 Sergio Gilliam  6 J. C. Neal Kickers 25 James Wilhoit		Injured reserve -- Marcus Barnett WR 75 Robert Brewster OL 19 Diyral Briggs DL 81 Keith Eloi WR 10 Bubby Gill WR 16 James Lancaster LB  4 Xavier Lee QB/WR -- Ernest McCoy OL 18 James Rogers DB -- Allen Smith OL 90 Richard Washington DL Other league exempt Currently vacant Refused to report -- Ryan Jones DB -- Jason Jones WR League suspension -- Ibrahim Abdulai DL -- Korey Askew DB -- Austin Emerson OL -- Carl Gettis DB 16 Brian Jones QB 57 Dan Jones OL/DL 79 Andre Ramsey OL 94 Shaun Richardson DL -- Terrance Sweeney DB -- Ryan Travis FB Roster updated July 19, 2012 24 Active, 23 Inactive

Individual award

Offensive Lineman of the Year Season Player Position 2011 Rich Ranglin OL

AFL Rookie of the Year Season Player Position 2007 Charles Frederick WR

All-Arena players

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

• OL Rich Ranglin (1)

All-Ironman players

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

• WR/KR Jackie Chambers (1)

All-Rookie players

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

• QB D. Bryant
• WR/LB Aaron Boone
• WR Charles Frederick

Retired numbers

• #90 Neil Smith, team co-owner and former NFL Defensive end.

Notes

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. . Arenafootball.com. 2012-08-07. Archived from the original on 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
5. [1]^{[dead link]}
6. "Kansas City Command bows out; new team forms in new league - Kansas City Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2012-09-05.

External links

• Kansas City Brigade at ArenaFan.com