After taking a one-year hiatus to sort through bankruptcy woes and trademark sales, the Arena Football League is back in action, and the Arizona Rattlers want to pack the stands at their home opener so badly, they're giving away all the tickets to the game for free.
"The Rattlers and our sponsors understand that times are tough for just about everyone. We wanted to do something special for the people of Arizona without asking for anything in return," Rattlers team president Danny White said. "The Arizona Rattlers care about the community and are doing this as a way to do more than simply give it lip service."
The Rattlers' home-opening game will take place at US Airways Center on Friday, April 16 (the game was originally scheduled for April 17, but the date was changed to accommodate the Phoenix Suns). The Rattlers will take on the Chicago Rush, a team co-owned by Mike Ditka, and one that's made the playoffs every season of their existence.
But worry not for the Rattlers -- they've got five division titles and two Arena Football League championships to their credit. And they've got post-NFL players like former Green Bay Packer Brennan Carvalho, a standout offensive lineman from Portland State, and arena football veteran kicker Jason Witczak, formerly of the Tennessee Titans. And even though former ASU star and Dallas Cowboy quarterback Danny White's not head coach of the team (that'd currently be Kevin Guy), his title as "team manager" puts him on the field with the players at every practice.
Tickets to the Arizona Rattlers game against the Chicago Rush will be given away from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, April 10, at both Casino Arizona locations. Rattlers players, coaches, and dancers will be on-hand at the casinos for the giveaway. A number of local NAPA Auto Parts stores also will give away a limited number of tickets. Call the store in your area to see if it's participating. All tickets will be doled out on a first-come, first-served basis, and there's a limit of four free tickets per person.
For information on season tickets, call 602-379-2333.
