Atlanta Legends
Alliance of American Football team
Atlanta Legends Established 2018 Folded 2019
Alliance of American Football Current uniform
Team colors Purple, gold & white President David Livingston Head coach Kevin Coyle League championships (0) Conference championships (0) Division championships (0)
The Atlanta Legends were a professional American football franchise based in Atlanta, Georgia , and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which played one season from February 2019 to April 2019.[ 1] They played their home games at Georgia State Stadium on the campus of Georgia State University . The Legends were one of two AAF teams based in a city that already had an NFL team (the Atlanta Falcons ; the other team was the Arizona Hotshots , where the NFL's Cardinals were based). The Legends were coached by Kevin Coyle , one of two AAF coaches without prior head coaching experience, after the position became available when Brad Childress resigned a month before the season began.[ 2] Billy Devaney was the general manager.
On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were reportedly suspended,[ 3] [ 4] and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.[ 5] The league filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 17, 2019.[ 6]
History
The Alliance Atlanta team was announced by the league on April 25, 2018, as its second initial team. Additionally, the head coach, Brad Childress , and offensive coordinator, Michael Vick , were announced.[ 7] [ 8] On September 20, the league announced for four eastern inaugural franchises' names and logos including Atlanta as the Atlanta Legends.[ 9] The name and colors (purple, gold, white) are tributes to famous historical figures from the city, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Hank Aaron .[ 10] [ 11]
Childress resigned a month before the start of the 2019 season, and Kevin Coyle , initially hired as the team's defensive coordinator, took Childress's place.[ 12] On February 7, 2019, two days before their first game, head coach Coyle announced that Vick would be unable to fill his role as offensive coordinator and would instead act as an advisor to the team.[ 13] Rich Bartel , who replaced Vick as de facto offensive coordinator and play-caller, abruptly resigned two days before the team's home opener,[ 14] prompting the team to hire Ken Zampese to lead the offense.[ 15]
The team's first game was at Spectrum Stadium against the Orlando Apollos on Saturday, February 9, 2019,[ 16] where they lost 40–6.[ 17] Their first home game was on February 24 against the Birmingham Iron , where they lost 28–12.[ 16] After starting the season 0–3, the Legends recorded their first win against the Arizona Hotshots on March 3, 2019.[ 18]
Final roster
2019 Atlanta Legends final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
94 Tavaris Barnes DE
93 T. J. Barnes DT
95 David Dean DT
99 Bijhon Jackson DT
91 J.T. Jones DE
94 Antonio Simmons DE
90 Tracy Sprinkle DT
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
74 Parker Collins OT (IR)
32 Tyson Graham FS (IR)
24 Bronson Hill RB (IR)
87 Garrett Hudson TE (IR)
70 John Kling T (IR)
42 Quincy Mauger S (IR)
60 Trae Moxley OL (IR)
77 Brandon Pertile G (IR)
25 Denard Robinson RB (IR)
74 Bentley Spain OT (IR)
27 Akrum Wadley RB (IR)
Rights list
33 Donnie Miles, Jr. DB
62 Matthew Schmidt OL
83 Jake Sutherland TE
47 Active, 14 Inactive
Allocation pool
The Legends' assigned area, which designated player rights, included the following:[ 19]
Staff
Atlanta Legends staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Sports Medicine staff
Equipment staff
Video staff
Video director – Jacob Berry
Assistant video director – Rickey Layman
→ Coaching Staff
2019 season
Final standings
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
All times Eastern
† Changed from original time and/or network.[ 20]
[ 16] [ 21]
Game summaries
Week 1: at Orlando
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
(14:14) ORL – Jalin Marshall 26-yard pass from Garrett Gilbert (De'Veon Smith run), Apollos 8–3
(11:55) ORL – De'Veon Smith 1-yard run (Garrett Gilbert pass to Matt Weiser ), Apollos 16–3
(7:20) ATL – Younghoe Koo 27-yard field goal, Apollos 16–6
(0:06) ORL – Garrett Gilbert 5-yard pass from Jalin Marshall (pass failed), Apollos 22–6
Third Quarter
(3:22) ORL – Elliott Fry 33-yard field goal, Apollos 25–6
Fourth Quarter
(13:25) ORL – D'Ernest Johnson 33-yard pass from Garrett Gilbert (run failed), Apollos 31–6
(11:07) ORL – Terence Garvin 51-yard interception return (pass failed), Apollos 37–6
(2:53) ORL – Elliott Fry 21-yard field goal, Apollos 40–6
Top Passers
Top Rushers
Top Receivers
Top Tackler
Week 2: at San Diego
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
(1:39) SD – Donny Hageman 46-yard field goal, Legends 9–3
(0:08) SD – Donny Hageman 43-yard field goal, Legends 9–6
Third Quarter
(12:10) SD – Donny Hageman 26-yard field goal, Legends 9–9
Fourth Quarter
(14:54) ATL – Younghoe Koo 26-yard field goal, Legends 12–9
(9:04) SD – Ja'Quan Gardner 8-yard rush (pass failed), Fleet 15–12
(4:00) SD – Ja'Quan Gardner 7-yard rush (rush failed), Fleet 21–12
(0:35) SD – Donny Hageman 33-yard field goal, Fleet 24–12
Top Passers
Top Rushers
ATL – Lawrence Pittman – 9 carries, 42 yards
SD – Ja'Quan Gardner – 15 carries, 104 yards, 2 TD
Top Receivers
Week 3: Birmingham
Game information
First Quarter
No scoring plays
Second Quarter
(14:08) ATL – Younghoe Koo 21-yard field goal, Legends 3–0
(10:26) BIRM – Nick Novak 39-yard field goal, Tied 3–3
(2:36) BIRM – Trent Richardson 5-yard rush (pass failed), Iron 9–3
(1:06) ATL – Younghoe Koo 35-yard field goal, Iron 9–6
Third Quarter
(8:20) BIRM – Nick Novak 27-yard field goal, Iron 12–6
(0:05) BIRM – Luis Perez 2-yard pass to Trent Richardson (Luis Perez pass to Trent Richardson), Iron 20–6
Fourth Quarter
Top Passers
Top Rushers
BIRM – Trent Richardson – 17 carries, 46 yards, 3 TD
ATL – Matt Simms – 2 carries, 27 yards
Top Receivers
Week 4: at Arizona
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
(1:49) ATL – Denard Robinson 9-yard rush (pass failed), Legends 8–0
(0:00) ARIZ – Nick Folk 39-yard field goal, Legends 8–3
Third Quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth Quarter
(13:34) ATL – Younghoe Koo 27-yard field goal, Legends 11–3
(5:20) ARIZ – John Wolford 20-yard pass to Rashad Ross (John Wolford pass to Marquis Bundy ), Tied 11–11
(1:03) ATL – Younghoe Koo 33-yard field goal, Legends 14–11
Top Passers
Top Rushers
ATL – Aaron Murray – 7 carries, 54 yards
ARIZ – Jhurell Pressley – 14 carries, 110 yards
Top Receivers
Week 5: Memphis
Game information
First Quarter
(7:33) ATL – Younghoe Koo 38-yard field goal, Legends 3–0
(4:55) MEM – Zac Stacy 7-yard rush (pass failed), Express 6–3
Second Quarter
(13:25) ATL – Tarean Folston 2-yard rush (Aaron Murray pass to Justin Thomas ), Legends 11–6
(9:18) MEM – Zac Stacy 3-yard rush (pass failed), Express 12–11
(0:00) ATL – Younghoe Koo 25-yard field goal, Legends 14–12
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
(11:50) ATL – Aaron Murray 2-yard pass to Tarean Folston (pass failed), Tied 20–20
(0:09) ATL – Younghoe Koo 35-yard field goal, Legends 23–20
Top Passers
Top Rushers
Top Receivers
MEM – Sherman Badie – 1 reception, 56 yards
ATL – Seantavius Jones – 5 receptions, 89 yards
Week 6: San Antonio
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
(8:39) SA – Nick Rose 23-yard field goal, Commanders 29–6
Fourth Quarter
(8:40) SA – Derron Smith 87-yard interception return (Kenneth Farrow rush), Commanders 37–6
Top Passers
Top Rushers
SA – Kenneth Farrow – 9 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD
ATL – Brandon Radcliff – 6 carries, 24 yards
Top Receivers
SA – Cam Clear – 5 receptions, 45 yards
ATL – Keith Towbridge – 5 receptions, 42 yards
Week 7: Orlando
Game information
First Quarter
(8:18) ORL – De'Veon Smith 1-yard rush (De'Veon Smith rush), Apollos 8–0
Second Quarter
(14:54) ATL – Aaron Murray 8-yard pass to Malachi Jones (rush failed), Apollos 8–6
(6:31) ORL – De'Veon Smith 1-yard rush (pass failed), Apollos 14–6
Third Quarter
(10:33) ORL – De'Veon Smith 4-yard rush (pass failed), Apollos 20–6
(6:54) ORL – Deji Olatoye 65-yard interception return (Garrett Gilbert rush), Apollos 28–6
Fourth Quarter
Top Passers
Top Rushers
ATL – Tarean Folston – 8 carries, 37 yards
ORL – D'Ernest Johnson – 7 receptions, 54 yards
Top Receivers
Week 8: at Birmingham
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
(12:46) BIRM – Nick Novak 37-yard field goal, Iron 14–6
(9:01) ATL – Younghoe Koo 35-yard field goal, Iron 14–9
Fourth Quarter
(10:14) BIRM – Nick Novak 28-yard field goal, Iron 17–9
Top Passers
Top Rushers
ATL – Brandon Radcliff – 6 carries, 30 yards
BIRM – Trent Richardson – 18 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
Top Receivers
In addition to league-wide television coverage through NFL Network , CBS Sports Network , TNT , and B/R Live , Legends' games were also broadcast on local radio by WCNN ("680 The Fan").[ 30]
References
^ Wilson, Bernie (April 3, 2019). "Atlanta Legends no more: AAF football immediately suspends operations" . WSB-TV ATLANTA . Cox Media Group. Retrieved April 3, 2019 .
^ "One month to kickoff, Childress quits AAF job" . ESPN.com . January 9, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019 .
^ Kercheval, Ben (April 2, 2019). "AAF operations suspended, league's future in doubt after eight games of first season" . cbssports.com . Retrieved April 2, 2019 .
^ "AAF to immediately suspend operations" . ESPN . April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019 .
^ Schwartz, Nick (April 4, 2019). "AAF star Keith Reaser becomes first player to sign NFL deal after league shutdown" . USA Today . Retrieved April 4, 2019 .
^ "AAF files for bankruptcy, officially closes down" . USA Today . AP . April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019 .
^ Culpepper, JuliaKate E. (April 25, 2018). "Michael Vick will lead offense of new pro football league team in Atlanta" . Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved September 21, 2018 .
^ "Michael Vick to be offensive coordinator on new Alliance of American football Atlanta team" . WAGA . April 25, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018 .
^ Benjamin, Cody (September 20, 2018). "LOOK: Alliance of American Football unveils logos of four pro teams that will debut in 2019" . CBSSports.com . Retrieved September 21, 2018 .
^ Culpepper, JuliaKate (September 20, 2018). "Exclusive: Name, logo revealed for new pro football team in Atlanta" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved December 4, 2018 .
^ Yasin, Kareem (November 27, 2018). "The Alliance of American Football Unveils its Inaugural Uniforms" . Alliance of American Football . Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018 .
^ "One month to kickoff, Childress quits AAF job" . ESPN.com . January 9, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019 .
^ Vivlamore, Chris (February 7, 2019). "Michael Vick out as Atlanta Legends offensive coordinator" . AJC . Cox Enterprises . Retrieved February 8, 2019 .
^ Johnson, Parker (February 25, 2019). "Play-caller Bartel becomes third coach to leave Legends" . Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved February 25, 2019 .
^ Perloff, Andrew [@andrewperloff] (March 3, 2019). "Interesting @TheAAF note... former Bengals OC, Browns QBs coach Ken Zampese came aboard to run offense for @AafLegends this week and helped QB Aaron Murray lead them win tonight. Zampese was with Andy Dalton for long time and Baker Mayfield last year" (Tweet ). Retrieved March 3, 2019 – via Twitter .
^ a b c "Alliance of American Football schedule released for Arizona Hotshots, other 7 teams" . AZ Central . USA Today Network. October 16, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018 .
^ Kercheval, Ben (February 9, 2019). "AAF Week 1 scores, highlights: Spurrier calls 'Philly Special' for TD, Orlando and San Antonio win openers" . CBSSports.com . Retrieved February 11, 2019 .
^ "Aaron Murray takes over at quarterback, leads Atlanta Legends to first win" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019 .
^ Inabinett, Mark (July 12, 2018). "Alabama, Auburn players to go on Birmingham AAF team's assignment list" . AL.com . Alabama Media Group. Retrieved December 5, 2018 .
^ "TNT to exclusively televise two additional AAF games" . AAF.com . March 6, 2019. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019 .
^ "2019 Atlanta Legends Schedule" . FBSchedules.com . Retrieved February 3, 2019 .
^ Filipe, Cameron (February 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 1, 2019" . Football Zebras . Retrieved March 22, 2019 .
^ Filipe, Cameron (February 13, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 2, 2019" . Football Zebras . Retrieved March 22, 2019 .
^ Filipe, Cameron (February 22, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 3, 2019" . Football Zebras . Retrieved March 22, 2019 .
^ Filipe, Cameron (February 27, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 4, 2019" . Football Zebras . Retrieved March 22, 2019 .
^ Filipe, Cameron (March 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 5, 2019" . Football Zebras . Retrieved March 22, 2019 .
^ Filipe, Cameron (March 14, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 6, 2019" . Football Zebras . Retrieved March 22, 2019 .
^ Filipe, Cameron (March 21, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 7, 2019" . Football Zebras . Retrieved March 22, 2019 .
^ Filipe, Cameron (March 28, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 8, 2019" . Football Zebras . Retrieved March 31, 2019 .
^ " '680 The Fan' To Carry Atlanta Legends Football Games" . insideradio.com . January 16, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019 .
Further reading
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Seasons
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