Los Angeles Cobras

History

On March 16, 1988, it was announced that team would be nicknamed the Cobras, as well as the introduction of head coach Ray Willsey. The Cobras played their home games at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, which they shared with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. The team's logo consisted of an interlocking "LA" in which the left upright of the "A" was formed by the hooded head and "neck" of a cobra.

The team debuted April 30, 1988 against the New York Knights. The Cobras started the season 0-3, but finished the season 5-3-1, clinching a playoff spot.

Despite a lineup that featured former NFL all-pro receiver Cliff Branch, ex-UCLA quarterback Matt Stevens and future Arena Football Hall of Famer Gary Mullen, Los Angeles drew dismal crowds: just 7,507 per game, second-worst in the AFL. The Cobras lost in the semifinals to the Chicago Bruisers, 29-16. It turned out to be their last game ever as the Cobras folded after the 1998 season, temporarily cutting the league down

All-Arena players

The following Cobras players were named to All-Arena Teams:

QB Matt Stevens

WR/DB Gary Mullen

Head coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 1988 Arena Football League season.

Staff

Head coach: Ray Willsey Assistant coach: Lew Erber Running back & special teams coach: Russ Steele Football operations coordinator: Larry Westbrook Trainer: Nick Ortenzo Equipment manager: Marty Hopkins

Media

The Cobras are also featured in the film Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects starring Charles Bronson. One scene takes place during a Cobras/Bruisers game, presumably the final regular season contest played July 14, 1988 (this game also had the distinction of ending 37-37, making it the first tie game in arena football history). The film was released in early 1989.

The Cobras were also featured as an unlockable team in EA Sports' Arena Football.