Roster
| 2017 Spokane Empire roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
| Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
| Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams | Reserve lists
rookies in italics | |||
| 2017 Spokane Empire season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | IFL Partners, LLC (Nader Naini, Managing Owner) |
| General manager | Ryan Eucker |
| Head coach | Adam Shackleford |
| Home field | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Conference place | 3rd |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
The 2017 Spokane Empire season was the second season for the professional indoor football franchise in the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Empire were one of ten teams that competed in the IFL for the 2017 season and were members of the Intense Conference.
Led by head coach Adam Shackleford, the Empire played their home games at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington. After the season, the team ceased operations.
| Position | Player | 2016 team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Aaron Aiken | Arizona Rattlers | Signed with the Rattlers on November 1, 2016 [1] |
| WR | Diondre Borel | Arizona Rattlers | Signed with the Rattlers on October 27, 2016 [2] |
| DL | Brett Bowers | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on October 4, 2016, [2] [3] released February 20, 2017 [4] |
| OL | Michael Boyefio | TBD | |
| DB | Robert Brown | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on August 22, 2016 [5] [6] |
| WR | Samuel Charles | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on August 23 [5] [7] |
| K | Patrick Clarke | Beijing Lions | Drafted in the 18th round of the China Arena Football League |
| QB | Charles Dowdell | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on August 23 [5] [8] |
| DB | Josh Ferguson | TBD | |
| OL | Kyle Fischer | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on September 1, 2016 [9] [10] |
| LB | Nick Haag | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on October 18, 2016 [2] |
| WR | J. J. Hayes | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on August 23 [5] [11] |
| WR | Justin Helwege | Spokane Empire | |
| OL | Brandon Haskins | TBD | |
| DL | Toby Jackson | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on October 18, 2016 [2] |
| DB | Adrian James | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on September 10, 2016 [9] [12] |
| RB | Trevor Kennedy | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on February 7, 2017 [4] [13] |
| OL | Dave Lefotu | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on September 10, 2016 [9] |
| DL | C. J. Olaniyan | TBD | |
| DL | Ben Perry | TBD | |
| RB | Antonio Pierce | TBD | |
| DL | Michael Reynolds | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on August 12, [5] [14] released February February 21, 2017 [4] |
| DB | Tyree Robinson | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on August 22 [5] [15] |
| DL | Donte Rumph | TBD | |
| DB | Cassius Sendish | TBD | |
| WR | Carl Sims | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on February 16, 2017 [4] [16] |
| OL | Mike Trice | TBD | |
| LB | Pasquale Vacchio | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on January 17, 2017 [17] [18] |
| DB | Lorenzo White | Spokane Empire | Re-signed on October 11, 2016, [2] [19] released February February 21, 2017 [4] |
| Position | Player | 2016 Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OL | Sedrick Flowers | Rookie | Signed August 12, 2016, [20] released February 20, 2017 [4] |
| OL | Darren Pinnock | Rookie | Signed August 12, 2016 [21] |
| QB | Austin Trainor | None | Signed August 12, 2016, [22] released February 20, 2017 [4] |
| DL | Rika Levi | Rookie | Signed August 13, 2016, [23] released February 20, 2017 [4] |
| OL | Jonah Austin | Rookie | Signed August 22, 2016 [5] |
| OL | Larry Mazyck | Rookie | Signed August 23, 2016, [5] [24] released February 16, 2017 [4] |
| DB | John Hardy-Tuliau | None | Signed August 23, 2016 [5] [25] |
| WR | Orlandus Harris | Bloomington Edge | Signed August 30, 2016 [5] [26] |
| LB | Andrew Jackson | None | Signed August 30, 2016 [5] [27] |
| WR | Thomas Shuler | None | Signed August 30, 2016, [5] [28] released February 16, 2017 [4] |
| RB | Rob Brown | Tri-Cities Fever | Signed September 10, 2016, [9] [29] released February 21, 2017 [4] |
| RB | Mulku Kalokoh | None | Signed September 10, 2016 [9] |
| WR | Dejuan Miller | Tri-Cities Fever | Signed September 10, 2016 [9] |
| OL | Siosifa Tufunga | Rookie | Signed September 22, 2016 [9] [30] |
| OL | James Atoe | Colorado Crush | Signed October 4, 2016 [2] [31] |
| DL | Royce LaFrance | None | Signed October 11, 2016 [2] [32] |
| DB | Norris Wrenn III | Billings Wolves | Signed October 11, 2016, [2] [33] released February February 21, 2017 [4] |
| DL | Pat McNeil | Rookie | Signed October 15, 2016, [2] released February 16, 2017 [4] |
| QB | Aaron Wilmer | Rookie | Signed October 15, 2016 [2] [34] |
| OL | Bill Vavau | Colorado Crush | Signed October 24, 2016 [2] [35] |
| OL | Deveric Gallington | Portland Steel | Signed November 1, 2016 [1] [36] |
| DB | Stephen Godbolt | Tri-Cities Fever | Signed November 1, 2016, [1] [37] released February February 21, 2017 [4] |
| DL | O. J. Mau | None | Signed November 11, 2016 [1] [38] |
| WR | Lamont Bryant | None | Signed January 24, 2017, [17] [39] released February February 20, 2017 [4] |
| OL | Cassidy Curtis | None | Signed January 24, 2017, [17] released February February 21, 2017 [4] |
| DL | Junior Alexis | Rookie | Signed February 7, 2017 [4] [13] |
| OL | Mikingson Marsaille | Rookie | Signed February 7, 2017, [4] [13] released February 16, 2017 [4] |
| WR | Devonn Brown | Rookie | Signed February 8, 2017 [4] [40] |
| DL | J. D. Griggs | Colorado Crush | Signed February 9, 2017 [4] [40] |
| DB | Malcolm Griggs | Rookie | Signed February 7, 2017, [4] released February 16, 2017 [13] |
| DL | Harold Love III | Dodge City Law | Signed February 16, 2017 [4] [41] |
| WR | Bryan Pray | Iowa Barnstormers | Signed February 16, 2017 [4] [16] |
| K | Craig Peterson | Tampa Bay Storm | Signed February 21, 2017 [4] |
| Indicates that the player was a free agent at the end of his respective team's 2016 season. |
| 2017 Spokane Empire staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front office
| Coaches
Other assistant coaches
| |||||
Key: Win Tie Loss Bye
All start times are local time [42]
| Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Location | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Record | |||||||
| 1 | BYE | |||||||
| 2 | Thursday | February 23 | 7:00pm | Green Bay Blizzard | W 34–31 [43] | 1–0 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | |
| 3 | Friday | March 3 | 5:05pm | at Wichita Falls Nighthawks | L 56–57 (2OT) [44] | 1–1 | Kay Yeager Coliseum | |
| 4 | Monday | March 13 | 6:00pm | at Salt Lake Screaming Eagles | W 41–35 [45] | 2–1 | Maverik Center | 4,196 |
| 5 | Friday | March 17 | 5:00pm | at Colorado Crush | W 70–37 [46] | 3–1 | Budweiser Events Center | |
| 6 | Friday | March 24 | 7:00pm | Salt Lake Screaming Eagles | W 53–36 [47] | 4–1 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | |
| 7 | Saturday | April 1 | 7:00pm | Nebraska Danger | L 36–42 [48] | 4–2 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | |
| 8 | BYE | |||||||
| 9 | Friday | April 14 | 7:00pm | Colorado Crush | W 36–24 | 5–2 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | |
| 10 | Saturday | April 22 | 7:00pm | at Arizona Rattlers | W 60–51 | 6–2 | Talking Stick Resort Arena | 12,725 |
| 11 | Sunday | April 30 | 3:00pm | Salt Lake Screaming Eagles | W 31–29 | 7–2 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | |
| 12 | Saturday | May 6 | 5:05pm | at Sioux Falls Storm | L 32–62 | 7–3 | Denny Sanford Premier Center | |
| 13 | Friday | May 12 | 7:00pm | Arizona Rattlers | L 35–49 | 7–4 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | |
| 14 | Thursday | May 18 | 5:00pm | at Colorado Crush | L 36–45 | 7–5 | Budweiser Events Center | |
| 15 | Friday | May 26 | 7:00pm | Colorado Crush | W 48–43 | 8–5 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | |
| 16 | Saturday | June 3 | 7:00pm | Arizona Rattlers | L 16–33 | 8–6 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | |
| 17 | Friday | June 9 | 5:05pm | at Iowa Barnstormers | L 28–58 | 8–7 | Wells Fargo Arena | 7,153 |
| 18 | Friday | June 16 | 6:00pm | at Salt Lake Screaming Eagles | L 42–45 | 8–8 | Maverik Center | 4,581 |
| 2017 Intense Conference | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | CON | GB | STK | |
| y - Arizona Rattlers | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 782 | 610 | 8–1 | — | W8 |
| x - Nebraska Danger | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 717 | 660 | 5–2 | 3.0 | W1 |
| Spokane Empire | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 654 | 677 | 7–5 | 4.0 | L3 |
| Salt Lake Screaming Eagles | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 675 | 762 | 4–8 | 7.0 | W1 |
| Colorado Crush | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 629 | 821 | 2–10 | 8.0 | L4 |
| 2017 Spokane Empire roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
| Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
| Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams | Reserve lists
rookies in italics | |||
The Tri-Cities Fever was a professional indoor football franchise based in Kennewick, Washington. The Fever joined National Indoor Football League (NIFL) in 2005 as an expansion team. The Fever were owned by Teri Carr. From 2005 to 2016, the Fever played their home games at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington. On June 30, 2016, the team announced it would go dormant for the 2017 season and beyond.
The Spokane Shock were a professional indoor American football team based in Spokane, Washington, that played their home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. The team was initially a member of arenafootball2 (af2), the Shock won division titles in all four seasons and ArenaCups in 2006 and 2009 before they joined the Arena Football League (AFL) in its 2010 relaunch. The team advanced to the playoffs three times after joining the AFL, winning ArenaBowl XXIII in their first season, making them the only arena football franchise to win both the ArenaCup and the ArenaBowl.
The Colorado Crush were a professional indoor football team. The Crush played its home games at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado, outside Fort Collins.
Xzavie Lee HeBron Jackson [ex-ZAY-vee] is a former professional gridiron football defensive end. He played for the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Missouri. He also played in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2009.
Mike Anthony Tatum is an American football coach who is the head coach and offensive coordinator for the Omaha Beef of the National Arena League (NAL). He is former indoor American football wide receiver for the Nebraska Danger, Bismarck Bucks, and the Sioux Falls Storm of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at Oxnard College. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Marion Mayhem in 2009. He played with the Mayhem until their disbanding during the 2010 season. Tatum then finished the 2010 season with the Fort Wayne FireHawks. Tatum then returned to Marion in 2011, when a new franchise called the Marion Blue Racers expanded into the CIFL. Tatum has also played for the Everett Raptors of the IFL.
Myniya Smith is a former professional indoor football offensive lineman. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Southern. Following the 2016 IFL season, Smith was named First Team All-IFL. On April 20, 2017, Smith signed with the Spokane Empire. On May 4, 2017, Smith was released by the Empire. On June 6, 2017, Smith signed with the Sioux Falls Storm.
Daron Clark is an American football coach and former wide receiver. He played college football at Stillman College.
Korey Williams is a former American football wide receiver. He attended Alfred Lawless High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Williams first enrolled at Paul Quinn College before transferring to Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He has also been a member of the Omaha Beef, BC Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Phillip Barnett is an American football wide receiver for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Washington Valor of the Arena Football League (AFL) and played college football at the University of Toledo.
Craig Peterson is an American football placekicker for the Bay Area Panthers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). Peterson won the IFL championship with the Panthers in 2023.
Samuel Charles is an American football wide receiver for the Iowa Barnstormers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at Edward Waters College.
Chris McAllister is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He attended Judson High School in Converse, Texas; upon graduating in 2009, he played football at Baylor University. During his time at Baylor, McAllister recorded a total of 15.0 sacks; this left him tied for the record of most career sacks in Baylor history. He led the team in sacks in 2012 and 2013.
Rony Nelson is a professional American football defensive linemen for the West Michigan Ironmen of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He has also been a member of the Iowa Barnstormers, Bemidji Axemen and the Cleveland Gladiators. He attended the Iowa State University and played for the school's football team. According to the AFL, Nelson stands at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and weighs 266 pounds (121 kg).
The Salt Lake Screaming Eagles were a professional indoor football team based in West Valley City, Utah, near Salt Lake City. The Screaming Eagles started as an expansion team in the Indoor Football League (IFL) and began play in 2017 with home games at the Maverik Center. The team folded when ownership left the IFL to start their own league.
The 2017 Colorado Crush season was the eleventh season for the professional indoor football franchise and ninth in the Indoor Football League (IFL). It was the second season of the franchise being labeled the Crush after playing nine seasons under the Ice moniker. The Crush were one of ten teams that competed in the IFL for the 2017 season. The Crush were members of the Intense Conference.
Mark Randall Crawford is an American football defensive lineman for the Iowa Barnstormers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at University of Kentucky and attended Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has also been a member of the Arizona Rattlers, Jacksonville Sharks, Los Angeles Kiss, San Antonio Talons and Nebraska Danger.
Jarien Moreland is a former American football offensive lineman. He played college football at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and attended Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida. He was a member of the Spokane Shock, Tampa Bay Storm, Spokane Empire, Portland Steel, Sioux Falls Storm, and Washington Valor.
David Lefotu is an American football offensive lineman who is a free agent. He played college football at University of Hawaii at Manoa and attended Pearl City High School in Pearl City, Hawaii. He has been a member of the Spokane Empire, Tampa Bay Storm and Albany Empire.
James Atoe is an American former professional football offensive lineman. He played college football at University of Washington and attended The Dalles High School in The Dalles, Oregon. He was a member of the Colorado Crush, Spokane Empire, and Washington Valor.
Kenny Leon Veal, Jr. is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Thomas More College in Kentucky and attended Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio. He has also been a member of the Nashville Venom, Cleveland Gladiators, Wichita Falls Nighthawks, Green Bay Blizzard, Jacksonville Sharks, Columbus Destroyers, Carolina Cobras, and Albany Empire.
