Amway Arena was often nicknamed "The Jungle" during Predators games due to the hostile environment from the fans, harsh smoke that fills the arena during the players intro, and a Guns N' Roses song which "welcomes" other teams followed by their impending death. The Predators are unique in that they had played in their previous venue, Amway Arena, for 18 seasons in the AFL, longer than any other team. Orlando and Tampa Bay have each lasted longer in their markets than any other AFL franchise. The rivalry, nicknamed the " War On I-4" after the interstate that connects the two cities, intensified when Gruden took over as Orlando's head coach. They have met twice in the ArenaBowl, with Tampa Bay winning in 1995 and Orlando winning in 1998. The Predators are undoubtedly one of the premier franchises in the history of the original AFL, and have a legendary rivalry with Tampa Bay, who moved to Tampa the same year the Predators formed. He then attempted a comeback as a player, but subsequently returned to coaching following the death of his head coach replacement, Fran Papasedero, in a car accident. Orlando won the ArenaBowl in 19 under Gruden's coaching. Jay was the first quarterback in the AFL Hall of Fame. Jay Gruden was formerly an outstanding Arena Football quarterback, leading the Tampa Bay Storm to four ArenaBowl championships, and then served one year as offensive coordinator for the Nashville Kats prior to becoming head coach of the Predators. He was with the team through the 1999 season.įor much of their existence in the original AFL their head coach was Jay Gruden, younger brother of prominent National Football League coach Jon Gruden. One noted administrator for the Predators was Hall of Fame lineman Jack Youngblood who came to the Predators in 1995 as vice-president and then later, president of the organization. Annually among the league-leaders in attendance, they qualified for the playoffs in 17 consecutive seasons, the longest streak in the original AFL. The Orlando Predators franchise was awarded by the AFL to Davey Johnson, Tracy Allen and Mike McBath on February 28, 1991, and began play that same year, the only year so far that they missed the playoffs.
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