CHICAGO – It was a one-week, two-day wait before the return of professional pigskin. And today, football is back. The Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League was the first team to report to training camp today.
“We are just excited to have all of our guys back in Chicago,” Rush Head Coach Bob McMillen said.
Players checked into the team facility to undergo entrance physicals and team meetings in preparation for the AFL’s 25th season, which kicks off for the Rush on Saturday, March 10 against the Tampa Bay Storm.
“The excitement in our meetings this morning was phenomenal,” McMillen said. “We have a fun group of talented guys and there are no limits to what we can achieve as a team this season.”
Three teams will report to camp on Thursday (2/16) including Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and San Jose. Five teams (Kansas City, Orlando, Spokane, Tampa Bay and Utah) will report on Friday (2/17). Arizona, Georgia, Iowa and San Antonio will report on Saturday (2/18). Cleveland will report on Sunday (2/19). The defending ArenaBowl Champions, Jacksonville, report on February 22. New Orleans and Philadelphia are the final teams to report on February 24.
The 2012 season kicks off on Friday, March 9 on NFL Network featuring the Pittsburgh Power at Orlando Predators.