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As the Arena Football League shrinks, so does its roster of players from Alabama

AL.com | April 7, 2017

Related Topics: Arena Football League, Arizona Rattlers, Defensive back, Los Angeles Kiss, Orlando Predators, Vanderbilt Stadium, Portland Steel, Alabama, Philadelphia Soul, Zac Stacy

(Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com )

The Arena Football League opens its 30th season on Friday night as a shell of its former self. The AFL has five teams for the 2017, down from eight a year ago and 19 in 2004.

Gone since last season are the Orlando Predators, Jacksonville Sharks, Arizona Rattlers, Los Angeles Kiss and Portland Steel. The returning AFL teams are the Philadelphia Soul, Tampa Bay Storm and Cleveland Gladiators. They're joined by two new teams -- the Baltimore Brigade and the Washington Valor.

The 2017 AFL season kicks off on Friday night with Baltimore and Washington squaring off in the first game for both franchises.

See full article at AL.com