Rattlers begin #RedemptionTour2016

(photo credit: goldstar.com)

Last season, the Arizona Rattlers were the three time defending ArenaBowl champions. They were being talked about as the most dominant team in the history of the sport. But instead, all anyone remembered about the 2015 Rattlers is the way their season ended.

Leading by four in the Western Conference Championship against the San Jose Sabercats, the Rattlers lost in the most controversial finish in AFL history as Eric Meyer found Reggie Gray for a touchdown, even though replays clearly show him being knocked out of bounds at the one yard line. As a result, Arizona lost the game 70-67, and with it, their chance at a fourth straight title.

The Rattlers future as AFL greats seemed in jeopardy, but not until the Sabercats announced back on November 12 that they were ceasing operations. Because of this, the Rattlers were once again in the drivers seat for the Arena Bowl.

The Rattlers are entering the 2016 season as the heavy favorites to win the title because they have won the Arena Bowl three out of the last four seasons and had made five straight, almost six straight appearances in the Arena Bowl. Not only are they bringing back quarterback Nick Davila, but their offense is reloaded. Wideouts Rod Windsor and Mike Washington give them potent weapons on the offensive side of the ball. They also are bringing back a familar face to Arizona: receiver Maurice Purify. Their chance for redemption begins  in Portland against the Steel on April 1.