- Los Angeles Cobras
AFL defunct
name = Los Angeles Cobras
logo =
founded = 1988
folded = 1988
prior names = none
championships = noneHistory
The Los Angeles Cobras played in the 1988
Arena Football League season only. They played their home games at theLos Angeles Sports Arena , which they shared with theLos Angeles Clippers of theNational Basketball Association . The team's logo was unusual in that it consisted of an interlocking "LA" in which the left upright of the "A" was formed by the hooded head and "neck" of a cobra.The Cobras, who featured former
NFL all-pro receiverCliff Branch , managed only a 5-6-1 record and drew dismal crowds. They did manage to grab the fourth and final playoff spot in the six team AFL, but lost in the semifinals to theChicago Bruisers . It turned out to be their last game ever as the Cobras (as well as theNew York Knights and theNew England Steamrollers ) folded after the 1988 season, cutting the league down to just three teams.The Cobras are also featured in the film "" starring Charles Bronson. One scene takes place during a Cobras/Bruisers game, presumably the final regular season contest played July 14, 1988 (this game also had the distinction of ending 37-37, making it the first tie game in arena football history). The film was released in early 1989.
Los Angeles Cobras Roster - 1988
#1 Gary Mullen WR/DB
#2 Marty Zendejas K
#5 Eric Beavers QB
#10 Matt Stevens QB
#20 Joe Kelly WR/DB
#22 Cliff Branch WR/DB
#25 Richard Rodgers DB/WR
#26 Derrick Donald DB/WR
#32 Ed Zeman DB/RB
#34 Richard Prather RB/LB
#40 Yepi Pauu LB/RB
#42 Rob DeVita LB/RB
#50 Patrick Cain OL/DL
#55 Brian Clark OL/DL
#60 Chuck Harris OL/DL
#64 Dexter Stowers OL/DL
#65 Michael Jones LB/OL
#66 Wes Walton OL/DL
#80 Tony Palamara OL/DL
#82 Lou Sorrentino OL/DL
#92 Wade Lockett DB/WR
#93 Matt McKnight DB/WR
#88 David McNair DB/WRHEAD COACH: RAY WILLSEYASSISTANT COACH: LEW ERBERRUNNING BACK & SPECIAL TEAMS COACH: RUSS STEELEFOOTBALL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR: LARRY WESTBROOKTRAINER: NICK ORTENZOEQUIPMENT MANAGER: MARTY HOPKINSAFL Hall of Famers
*Gary Mullen
eason-by-season
-
1988 || 5 || 6|| 1 || 4th || Lost Week 1 (Chicago Bruisers )
-!Totals || 5 || 7 || 1
colspan="2"| (including playoffs)External links
* [http://www.arenafootball.com AFL Official Website]
* [http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=history&team=7&year=1988 L.A. Cobras at ArenaFan.com]
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