Orlando Rage

The Orlando Rage was an American football team based in Orlando, Florida as part of the failed XFL begun by Vince McMahon of the World Wrestling Federation and by NBC, a major television network in the United States.

History

The team's colors were scarlet, yellow, navy blue and white with jersey numbers in a unique jagged font. They played their home games at Orlando's Citrus Bowl. The team's General Manager was Tom Veit a former Major League Soccer Vice President and were coached by former Florida Gators head coach Galen Hall. They were in the XFL's Eastern Division with the NY/NJ Hitmen, Chicago Enforcers and Birmingham Thunderbolts.

Jeff Brohm was the quarterback of the Rage for most of the regular season, amassing a 6–0 record as starter during his first time at the helm. The team looked to be the league's powerhouse franchise under Brohm and was on pace for a perfect season (coincidentally, Orlando's next professional football team, the Florida Tuskers, would also win their first six games in a row before losing the seventh). He showed his toughness after he suffered an injury from a devastating hit by at the hands of Memphis Maniax defensive end Shante Carver in Week 5. Brohm came back a week later against Las Vegas, but the following week he suffered a shoulder injury against the Los Angeles Xtreme and his season (and playing career) was done for good. It led to him being replaced by Brian Kuklick after six games. While Kuklick filled in the role of quarterback acceptably, the team lost a valuable leader on offense. The team went 2–2 in Kuklick's care; Kuklick, despite only starting four games, led the league in interceptions with 10.

Sports in Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida, has a history of major events in sports. It has had a considerable measure of success in minor league sports as well, with teams winning several minor league championships.

Major league sports

Orlando Magic (NBA)

Orlando is home to the Orlando Magic, an NBA pro basketball franchise that plays at Amway Center in downtown Orlando. The Magic hosted the 1992 NBA All-Star Game at the now defunct Amway Arena, and hosted the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center.

Orlando City Soccer Club (MLS)

Orlando City Soccer Club began play in Major League Soccer in 2015 as the league's 20th team. The effort to bring an MLS expansion team to Orlando had been led by Phil Rawlins, who had been working publicly since 2010 to bring MLS to Orlando. MLS officially announced in November 2013 that Orlando would join MLS, after the club had received the necessary approvals from city and county officials to construct a new stadium. Orlando City will play in a new stadium in downtown Orlando that is scheduled to begin construction in 2014 and is expected to be completed in 2016. They will play their first season at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium.