Carolina Cobras
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with the Los Angeles Cobras
, who played in the 1988 AFL season.
The Carolina Cobras were an expansion franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was formed prior to the 2000
season, which endured a player strike.
The team was originally based in Raleigh
, North Carolina
, but moved to Charlotte
following its second season.
, North Carolina
, at the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena (now called the RBC Center) prior to the 2003
season. The team was based in the Charlotte Coliseum
until 2004. On September 20, 2004, prior to the arrival of the NBA
's Charlotte Bobcats
, the league announced the termination of this franchise; its players were made available to the other AFL teams in a dispersal draft.
. But when the Bobcats began play, however, the Cobras had to make way.
Los Angeles Cobras
-History:The Los Angeles Cobras played in the 1988 Arena Football League season only. They played their home games at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, which they shared with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association...
, who played in the 1988 AFL season.
The Carolina Cobras were an expansion franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was formed prior to the 2000
2000 in sports
2000 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Renate Götschl, Austria-American football:...
season, which endured a player strike.
The team was originally based in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, but moved to Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
following its second season.
History
They played their home games in RaleighRaleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, at the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena (now called the RBC Center) prior to the 2003
2003 in sports
2003 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season championship: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season championship: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
season. The team was based in the Charlotte Coliseum
Charlotte Coliseum
The Charlotte Coliseum was a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the operation of Bojangles' Coliseum, the Charlotte Convention Center, and Ovens Auditorium...
until 2004. On September 20, 2004, prior to the arrival of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
, the league announced the termination of this franchise; its players were made available to the other AFL teams in a dispersal draft.
Legacy
The Cobras' legacy in Charlotte was actually meant to fill open dates at the Charlotte Coliseum when the Charlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. But when the Bobcats began play, however, the Cobras had to make way.
Notable players
- Rickey FoggieRickey FoggieRickey Foggie is a former quarterback. Foggie was the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Golden Gophers for four seasons, before going on to play professionally in – first the Canadian Football League, and then later in the Arena Football League...
, Quarterback - Charlie Peterson, Quarterback
- Matt NagyMatt NagyMatt Nagy is a former gridiron football quarterback in the Arena Football League. He played for the New York Dragons, Carolina Cobras, Georgia Force and Columbus Destroyers in his six season career. He was signed by the Dragons as a street free agent in 2002. He played college football at Delaware...
, Quarterback - Aaron Bailey, Offensive specialist 2001-2002
- Rob BironasRob BironasJames Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro...
, Kicker 2004 Current Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
KickerKicker- Business :* Any person not able to make a decision independently / aka 'Booter'. Antonym of 'kiddie' or 'cheese' colloquial term within British sales subculture.- Athletics :* Placekicker, a position in American and Canadian football... - Mario Grier, Fullback/Linebacker 2000-2002
- Elliot "Jack" Jackson, Offensive specialist 2000
- Michael "Bo" Kelly, Fullback/Linebacker 2000
- Fred McNairFred McNair (American football)Fred McNair is a former American football quarterback in the Arena Football League. He played college football at Alcorn State....
, Quarterback 2000-2001 - Cornelius WhiteCornelius WhiteCornelius White is a former Arena Football League wide receiver/linebacker who played for the Albany Firebirds , the Carolina Cobras , the Chicago Rush , the Buffalo/Columbus Destroyers , and the Philadelphia Soul .-High school years:White attended Neshaminy High School in...
, Wide Receiver/Linebacker 2000-2001 - Mike Hold, 2003 Coach
- Eddie Khayat, 2003-04 Coach
- Ron Selesky, 2004 Coach
- John GregoryJohn GregoryJohn Charles Gregory is an English former footballer and currently works as a manager. He has previously managed: Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Wycombe Wanderers, Aston Villa, Derby County, Queens Park Rangers, Maccabi Ahi Nazareth and F.C. Ashdod...
, 2004 Coach