Kinda felt like the mid-90’s in downtown Phoenix on Friday night

It was like old times at U.S. Airways Center on Friday night. The Snake Pit, as it’s known to Rattlers fans, was the site for Arena Bowl XXIV–a matchup between the Rattlers and the Jacksonville Sharks. The game also marked the third time the league’s championship game had been held in downtown Phoenix. The first time was 1997 when the Rattlers defeated a Kurt Warner-led Iowa Barnstormers team 55-33 to win their 2nd championship in four seasons. The feeling in the air that night was electric. Over 17,000 fans rolled through the turnstiles and all had secured themselves what was a “hot ticket”. After the win, the party lasted into the morning as the team celebrated at the nearby Arizona Center (yes, there used to be actual nightlife there). The Rattlers were not only champs, but the model franchise in a fledgling league. Fast forward fourteen years. The Arena Football League is still recovering from being on life support. The 2009 season was comple...