Friday Flashback: Denver Dynamite



Team: Denver Dynamite
Location: Denver, Colorado
Sport: Arena Football
League: Arena Football League (AFL)
Years Active: 1987, 1989-1991
Home Arena: McNichols Sports Arena
Head Coaches: Tim Marcum, Babe Parilli
Best Players: Fred Gayles, Gary Mullen, Joe March, Whit Taylor

The Denver Dynamite were one of the charter members of the Arena Football League in its inaugural season in 1987.  The team was owned by Sidney Shlenker who also owned the Denver Nuggets of the National Baskeball Association (NBA) at the time.  The Dynamite were an instant success as they posted a 4-2 record and won the first Arena Bowl championship over the Pittsburgh Gladiators 45-16.  Despite averaging 12,000 fans per game, the team did not return the next season due to Shlenker's refusal to abide by the AFL's financial rules.

The team returned in 1989 with new ownership but struggled financially.  The team finished 3-1 and lost to the Gladiators 39-37 in the playoffs.  They jumped out to a 4-1 start in 1990 but ended with a 4-4 record and lost to the Dallas Texans 26-25 in the semifinals.  In 1991, the Dynamite finished 6-4 and made the playoffs again but lost to the Tampa Bay Storm in the playoffs.  Following the season, the team was sued by their public relations firm and filed for bankruptcy. 

In 2003, the AFL would return to Denver with a new franchise called the Colorado Crush and owned by former Denver Bronco great John Elway.

Denver Dynamite Seasons:
1987
Record:  4-2
Playoffs:  Defeated Pittsburgh Gladiators 45-16 for ArenaBowl I championship

1988 - Did not play

1989
Record:  3-1
Playoffs:  Lost semifinals to Pittsburgh Gladiators 39-37

1990
Record:  4-4
Playoffs:  Lost semifinals to Dallas Texans 26-25

1991
Record:  6-4
Playoffs:  Lost semifinals to Tampa Bay Storm 40-13

Fun Facts:
  • The team appeared on the EA Sports Arena Football game as a bonus team.
  • Dynamite played their first game on June 20, 1987 at Chicago Bruisers winning 52-44 in overtime.
  • They played their last game on August 20, 1991 at Tampa Bay Storm
  • The Dynamite only played four home games between 1987-1989 due to AFL scheduling quirks and playing at other netural sites.




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