About seven years ago, I was definitely feeling the post-NFL – and for me, the post-Chicago Bears, blues, when a friend of mine introduced me to the awesome craziness that is the Arena Football League. It took one game for me to be completely hooked and find my new other favorite football team, the Chicago Rush. From the starting lineups with all the fireworks, to every break, to the action on the field it was nearly three hours of nonstop entertainment.

The game itself is absolutely incredible!  Here you have a 50-yard field and eight-on-eight action that result in some very high scoring games. But though I was amazed by seeing the high-scoring game I was also surprised by the incredible hard-hitting defense that I saw.  Let me tell you over my seven years as a fan I have been shocked at some of the enormous hits that are laid and then to watch both players get up and lineup ready to go on the very next play. It’s absolutely incredible to watch a game where one team seems to never be out of it.  Down by 21?  I have watched The Chicago Rush be down by that much and come back to win the game!  It’s games like that that leave me counting down the days until the start of the Arena Football season starting in November-December time each year. 

You are guaranteed to be entertained throughout the game even when play is not going on down on the field.  Every team has their own unique pre-game show centered around the starting lineups. I love how the fireworks are tied in and how the players are encouraged to dance or do something fun to help fire the crowd up.  There are always contests and games going on the field when there are breaks in the action and fans are picked prior to the game to participate. I myself have been selected a few times to participate and have no problem making a fool of myself in the process. Every team in the AFL also has their own dance team with some of the most beautiful and talented ladies you will ever see! 

In my opinion, the best and my favorite thing about the AFL is how the fan comes first and is made to feel important.  I have had the chance to meet several players over the years and for the most part they have been very friendly and accessible. They are more than willing to sign autographs and, win or lose, the home team comes out to sign autographs for the fans after each game. I have found it so refreshing after you hear so many bad things about athletes and their attitudes that here is a league where the players thank you for coming to the game when you get the chance to talk to them, and to me it seems very sincere. One of the coolest things with the Rush is that they have a post game party at a local bar where you can go have a drink with your favorite players and get a chance to really talk to them and know them.

It was two years after my first game that I became a season ticket holder for the Chicago Rush.  I love going to every home game each year and being able to tailgate before each game where I have made some great friends in the process. Each game between tailgating and sitting in Section 110 (the Kool Kidz Zone!), it is truly like having a second family during Arena Football season. If you get the chance, I would highly recommend going to check out a great game at a great price maybe you’ll become hooked like I am.

- Matt Gabrielson