Birmingham Iron | |
---|---|
Established 2018 Folded 2019 | |
![]() | |
League/conference affiliations | |
Alliance of American Football | |
Current uniform | |
Team colors | Black, silver & white |
Personnel | |
President | Trey Brown |
Head coach | Tim Lewis |
Team history | |
Championships | |
League championships (0) | |
Conference championships (0) | |
Division championships (0) |
The Birmingham Iron was a professional American football franchise based in Birmingham, Alabama, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which played eight regular season games from February 2019 to April 2019. [1] They played their home games at Legion Field. The Iron were coached by former National Football League player and coach Tim Lewis. Trey Brown was the executive vice president of football operations and Joe Pendry was the general manager.
On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were reportedly suspended, [2] [3] and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams. [4] The league filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 17, 2019. [5]
The team was announced as a charter team of the Alliance of American Football on June 4, 2018. [1] The team's first head coach was announced on June 6 as Tim Lewis, his first job at the position. [1] [6] On September 20, the league announced four eastern inaugural franchises' names and logos, including Birmingham as the Birmingham Iron. [7] The name is a tribute to the city's iron industry, while the team colors of black, dark grey, and light grey were based on iron ore, coal, and flux, the components used to make steel. [8] [9]
The final 52-man roster was set on January 30, 2019. [10] The team's first game was at home against the Memphis Express on February 10, 2019, [11] when the Iron registered their first win and the first shutout in league history. [12]
On March 31, the Iron clinched a playoff berth with a win against Atlanta, though the playoffs were never played as the league suspended football operations on April 2. The Iron finished at a 5–3 record. [13]
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
| Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
| Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
| Reserve lists
Rights list
|
The team's assigned area, which designated player rights, included the following: [14]
Colleges
National Football League (NFL)
Canadian Football League (CFL)
|
|
2019 Birmingham Iron season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Tim Lewis |
Home field | Legion Field |
Results | |
Record | 5–3 |
League place | 2nd, Eastern Conference |
Eastern Conference | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Club | W–L | PCT | CONF | PF | PA | DIFF | SOS | SOV | STK |
(x) – Orlando Apollos | 7–1 | .875 | 5–0 | 236 | 136 | 100 | .406 | .375 | W2 |
(x) – Birmingham Iron | 5–3 | .625 | 3–2 | 165 | 133 | 32 | .406 | .300 | W1 |
(e) – Memphis Express | 2–6 | .250 | 1–4 | 152 | 194 | -42 | .578 | .500 | L1 |
(e) – Atlanta Legends | 2–6 | .250 | 1–4 | 88 | 213 | -125 | .609 | .438 | L3 |
Western Conference | |||||||||
Club | W–L | PCT | CONF | PF | PA | DIFF | SOS | SOV | STK |
San Antonio Commanders | 5–3 | .625 | 3–2 | 158 | 154 | 4 | .516 | .450 | L1 |
Arizona Hotshots | 5–3 | .625 | 3–2 | 186 | 144 | 42 | .469 | .500 | W3 |
San Diego Fleet | 3–5 | .375 | 2–3 | 158 | 161 | -3 | .469 | .417 | L3 |
Salt Lake Stallions | 3–5 | .375 | 2–3 | 135 | 143 | -8 | .547 | .417 | W1 |
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention |
Week | Day | Date | Opponent | Results | Location | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Score | Record | |||||
– | Monday | January 28 | vs Arizona Hotshots | L 17–37 | Alamodome | |
All times Central
Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | TV | Opponent | Results | Location | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Score | Record | |||||||
1 | Sunday | February 10 | 3:00 p.m. | CBSSN | Memphis Express | W 26–0 | 1–0 | Legion Field |
2 | Saturday | February 16 | 1:00 p.m. | TNT | Salt Lake Stallions | W 12–9 | 2–0 | Legion Field |
3 | Sunday | February 24 | 3:00 p.m. | CBSSN | at Atlanta Legends | W 28–12 | 3–0 | Georgia State Stadium |
4 | Sunday | March 3 | 3:00 p.m. | CBSSN | San Antonio Commanders | L 11–12 | 3–1 | Legion Field |
5 | Saturday | March 9 | 1:00 p.m. | TNT † | Orlando Apollos | L 14–31 | 3–2 | Legion Field |
6 | Sunday | March 17 | 7:00 p.m. | NFLN | at San Diego Fleet | W 32–29 | 4–2 | SDCCU Stadium |
7 | Sunday | March 24 | 7:00 p.m. | NFLN | at Memphis Express | L 25–31 OT | 4–3 | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium |
8 | Sunday | March 31 | 3:00 p.m. | CBSSN | Atlanta Legends | W 17–9 | 5–3 | Legion Field |
9 | Sunday | April 7 | 7:00 p.m. | NFLN | at Arizona Hotshots | Not played | Sun Devil Stadium | |
10 | Sunday | April 14 | 2:30 p.m. | CBSSN | at Orlando Apollos | Spectrum Stadium |
Round | Day | Date | Kickoff | TV | Opponent | Results | Location | Attendance | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Score | Record | ||||||||
Semi | Sunday | April 21 | at Orlando Apollos | Not played | Spectrum Stadium |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Express | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Iron | 3 | 6 | 0 | 17 | 26 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
The Iron began their season at home against the Express. In the first quarter, the Iron scored when Nick Novak kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it 3–0. They would increase their lead in the second quarter when Novak kicked 28-yard and 47-yard field goals to make it 6–0 and then 9–0 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Iron managed to pull away from the Express after Trent Richardson ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 17–0. This would be followed by Novak's fourth field goal attempt of the day in which he kicked a 32-yarder to make it 20–0. Finally, Richardson ran for his second touchdown of the game from 5 yards out (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the final score 26–0.
With the win (their first as a franchise), the Iron started their season 1–0.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stallions | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Iron | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
After a huge shut out win, the Iron stayed home for Week 2 against the Stallions. It was all Stallions in the first half after both teams failed to score in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Stallions made it 6–0 when Joel Bouagnon ran for a 3-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion). They made it 9–0 at halftime when Taylor Bertolet kicked a 53-yard field goal. The Iron managed to get on the board in the third quarter when Shaheed Salmon recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 9–6. In the fourth quarter, the Iron were able to make the comeback as Trent Richardson ran for 3-yard touchdown to make the final score 12–9.
With the win, the Iron improved to 2–0.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iron | 0 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 28 |
Legends | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
at Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
After the tough home win, the Iron went on the road to face the Legends. After a scoreless first quarter, the Legends scored first when Younghoe Koo kicked a 21-yard field goal to make it 3–0. The Iron tied it up when Nick Novak kicked a 39-yard field goal to make it 3–3. They moved into the lead when Trent Richardson ran for a 5-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 9–3. The Legends however drew closer when Koo kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 9–6 at halftime. After the break, the Iron moved back ahead by 6 when Novak kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 12–6. They would move ahead by double digits when Richardson ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 20–6. In the fourth quarter, the Iron pulled further away when Richardson ran for yet another touchdown to make it 28–6. The Legends wrapped up the scoring of the game when Matt Sims found Montay Crockett on a 23-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the final score 28–12.
With the win, the Iron improved to 3–0.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commanders | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 12 |
Iron | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
After a tough road win, the Iron returned home for a game against the Commanders. In the first quarter, the Commanders scored first when Nick Rose kicked a 39-yard field goal to make it 3–0 for the only score. The Iron tied it up in the second quarter when Nick Novak kicked a 33-yard field goal to make it 3–3 at halftime. The Commanders got back into the lead in the third quarter when Trey Williams ran for a 12-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 9–3. They increased their lead in the fourth quarter when Rose kicked a 20-yard field goal to make it 12–3. Later on in the quarter, the Iron came within a point when Trent Richardson ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 12–11. The Iron were able to get the ball back and try to convert a 4th-and-12 but Luis Perez was intercepted ending the game sending the Iron to their first ever loss.
With the loss, the Iron fell to 3–1 and second place in the Eastern Conference.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apollos | 14 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 31 |
Iron | 0 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 14 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
After a tough home loss, the Iron stayed home to face the undefeated Apollos. In the first quarter, the Apollos scored first when Garrett Gilbert found Scott Orndorff on a 21-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 6–0. This would be followed by Keith Reaser returning an interception 40 yards to make it 14–0. In the second quarter, Elliott Fry kicked a 21-yard field goal to make it 17–0. The Iron finally got on the board when Trent Richardson ran for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 17–8. Though, the Apollos pulled away at halftime when Fry kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 20–8. In the third quarter, the Iron drew closer when Keith Price found Brandon Ross on a 30-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 20–14. Though, the Apollos made it 23–14 by way of Fry's 27-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Apollos wrapped up the scoring of the game when Gilbert found Jalin Marshall on a 12-yard pass to make the final score 31–14.
With their second straight loss, the Iron fell to 3–2.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iron | 6 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 32 |
Fleet | 3 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 29 |
at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
After yet another tough loss at home, the Iron traveled west to take on the Fleet. In the first quarter, the Fleet scored first when Donny Hageman kicked a 36-yard field goal to make it 3–0. The Iron took the lead later on in the quarter when Luis Perez found Trent Richardson on a 13-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 6–3. In the second quarter, the Iron increased their lead when Perez found L'Damian Washington on an 83-yard pass (with another failed 2-point conversion) to make it 12–3. The Fleet drew closer when Mike Bercovici found Ben Johnson on a 1-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 12–9. Nick Novak came out to kick a 23-yard field goal to help the Iron to a 15–9 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, the Iron went back ahead by double-digits as Richardson ran for a 2-yard touchdown (with yet another failed 2-point conversion) to make it 21–9. However, the Fleet would score two straight times to retake the lead: Terrell Watson would run for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 21–17, followed up by Bercovici finding Watson on a 12-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 23–21. In the fourth quarter, however, the Iron took the lead back when Perez found Washington again, this time on a 23-yard pass to make it 29–21. Then, the Fleet would tie it up at 29–29, after Bercovici found Francis Owusu on a 13-yard pass. The Iron completed the comeback with no time left in the game as Novak kicked the game-winning 44-yard field goal to make the final score 32–29.
With the win, the Iron improved to 4–2.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iron | 8 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 25 |
Express | 0 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 31 |
at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
After a tough road win, the Iron traveled again to take on the Express. In the first quarter, the Iron scored first when Luiz Perez found Braedon Bowman on an 11-yard pass to make it 8-0. In the second quarter, the Express tied it up when Terrence Magee ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 8-8. Trent Richardson then got the Iron ahead at halftime when he ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 16-8. In the third quarter, the Iron increased their lead when Nick Novak kicked a 28-yard field goal to make it 19-8. Though, the Express drew closer when Terrell Bonds blocked a punt and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 19-14. In the fourth quarter, the Iron moved ahead by double digits again when Perez found Wes Saxton on a 4-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 25-14. Though, the Express would score 2 straight times to tie the game up and force overtime when Austin MacGinnis kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 25-17 and then Brandon Silvers found Reece Horn on a 7-yard pass to make it 25-25. In overtime, Silvers found Dan Williams on a 10-yard pass to make it 31-25 for the Express comeback win.
With the loss, the Iron fell to 4-3.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Legends | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
Iron | 0 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 17 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
After a tough loss, the Iron returned home for their final home game of the season against the Legends. Another distraction came when minority owner Mark Jennings announced he had sold his shares in the Iron just three days before the game. In the first quarter, the Legends scored first when Younghoe Koo kicked a 33-yard field goal to make it 3-0. In the second quarter, the Iron tied the game up when Nick Novak kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 3-3. They would take the lead when Trent Richardson ran for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 11-3. Though the Legends drew closer when Koo kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 11-6 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Iron pulled away when Novak kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 14-6. Though, the Legends came within 5 again when Koo kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 14-9. In the fourth quarter, the Iron moved back ahead and eventually won by 8 when Novak kicked a 28-yard field goal to make the final score 17-9.
With the win, the Iron were able to seal the second playoff spot and improve to 5-3.
In addition to league-wide television coverage through CBS, NFL Network, CBS Sports Network, TNT, and B/R Live, Birmingham's games were also broadcast on local radio by WERC (AM). [25]
In gridiron football, an onside kick is a kickoff deliberately kicked short in an attempt by the kicking team to regain possession of the ball. This is in contrast with a typical kickoff, in which the kicking team kicks the ball far downfield in order to maximize the distance the receiving team has to advance the ball in order to score. The risk to the team attempting an onside kick is that if it is unsuccessful the receiving team gets the ball and usually has a much better field position than with a normal kickoff.
Nicholas Ryan Novak is an American former professional football placekicker. He played college football at Maryland and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2005.
The Third Saturday in October is the Alabama–Tennessee football rivalry, an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama and the Volunteers of the University of Tennessee. The respective campuses are located approximately 310 miles (500 km) apart. It is known as the Third Saturday in October because the game was traditionally played at such date prior to the 1992 football season, when the Southeastern Conference (SEC) split into its East and West divisions. From 1995 to 2015, it was only scheduled for that date six times, though it was again scheduled for that date from 2016 through 2019 and in 2022 and 2024. Alabama leads the series 59–39–7. At 39 wins, Tennessee has more victories over Alabama than any other program in college football. At 59 wins, Alabama has more victories over Tennessee than any other program in college football.
The 1960 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1960 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 66th overall and 27th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished with a record of eight wins, one loss and two ties and with a tie against Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl.
The 1968 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 74th overall and 35th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 11th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season with eight wins and three losses and with a loss against Missouri in the Gator Bowl.
The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 115th overall season, 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 18th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Nick Saban, in his third year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season undefeated with a record of 14–0 and as national champions for the first time since 1992.
The 1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1959 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 65th overall and 26th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his second year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished with a record of seven wins, two losses and two ties and with a loss against Penn State in the inaugural Liberty Bowl.
Trenton Jamond Richardson is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams.
The Kick Six was the final play of the 78th Iron Bowl college football game played on November 30, 2013, at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. The game featured the No. 1-ranked and two-time defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide as a 10-point favorite over the No. 4-ranked Auburn Tigers. The game had significant postseason implications, with both teams ranked in the top 5 and a berth to the SEC Championship Game and, potentially, the BCS National Championship Game, at stake.
Chris Lynn Davis Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2013. He was responsible for the historic “Kick Six,” the final play of the 2013 Iron Bowl when he returned a field goal attempt over 100 yards to score a game winning touchdown with no time remaining. Davis was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. After his playing career, he became a coach.
The 2016 season was the 84th in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It also marked the 17th season under leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the 10th under head coach Mike Tomlin. For the first time since 2004, tight end Heath Miller was not on the opening day roster, as he announced his retirement on February 19, 2016.
The Orlando Apollos were a professional American football franchise based in Orlando, Florida, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which began play in February 2019. The team played its home games at Spectrum Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Florida. They were coached by Heisman Trophy winner and former college and National Football League (NFL) head coach Steve Spurrier. NFL front office veteran Tim Ruskell was the general manager and longtime college athletics executive Michael P. Waddell was the team president.
The Memphis Express was a professional American football franchise based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was a member of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) during its single season in 2019. They played their home games at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, and were coached by former NFL player and head coach Mike Singletary.
The Salt Lake Stallions were a professional American football franchise based in Salt Lake City, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which began play in February 2019. The Stallions were the northernmost team in the AAF, as the league's only franchise north of the 35th parallel. They played their home games at Rice–Eccles Stadium. The team's head coach was Dennis Erickson, owner of a 179–96–1 record coaching college football and a 40–56 record coaching in the NFL.
The 2020 New York Guardians season was the only season for the New York Guardians as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2020 season. The Guardians played their home games at MetLife Stadium and were led by head coach Kevin Gilbride.
The 2020 season was the Pittsburgh Steelers' 88th in the National Football League (NFL), their 20th playing home games at Heinz Field, their 21st under general manager Kevin Colbert, and their 14th under head coach Mike Tomlin. The team vastly improved on their 8–8 record from 2019 beginning the season 11–0, a franchise-best. They became the first NFL team to do so since the Carolina Panthers in the 2015 season. However, that streak was broken after a Week 13 loss to the Washington Football Team. The Steelers clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2017 after the Miami Dolphins' Week 14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and clinched their first AFC North title since 2017 with a Week 16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
The 2021 season was the Pittsburgh Steelers' 89th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 22nd and final season under general manager Kevin Colbert and their 15th under head coach Mike Tomlin. They failed to improve upon their 12–4 record from 2020 and failed to win their division in back to back years for the first time since 2016–2017. However, despite only having a 6% chance to make the playoffs according to FiveThirtyEight before Week 18, they did clinch a Wild Card spot that week as well as make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 2014–2017 after defeating the Baltimore Ravens, combined with the Las Vegas Raiders defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars upsetting the Indianapolis Colts; this came despite the Steelers finishing with a -55 point differential. However the Steelers were defeated in the first round of the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs 42–21.
The 2022 season was the Pittsburgh Steelers' 90th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 16th under head coach Mike Tomlin.
The 2022 Houston Gamblers season was the first season for the Houston Gamblers as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Gamblers technically played as a traveling team and were led by head coach Kevin Sumlin.
The 2022 Pittsburgh Maulers season was the first season for the Pittsburgh Maulers as a professional American football franchise, as well as the only one under head coach Kirby Wilson. They played as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Maulers technically played as a traveling team.