The Arena Football Hall of Fame was the official Hall of Fame of the Arena Football League (AFL). The inaugural class was announced in 1998 and the Hall was not formally organized until 2011. Prior to 2011, there were four classes: 1998–2000 and then another in 2002. The voting process consisted of fans and current Hall of Fame members voting on the finalists. The finalists were selected by the League Office in which they collected ballots from the Arena Football Hall of Fame Advisory Board, a group which consisted of former players, executives, journalists and media personnel with a long-time involvement in the league. After its decline in 2015, the hall stopped inducting new classes. The league folded for a second time in 2019. However, after the league's closure, ArenaFan, a long-running fan site, announced it had taken over operations of the Arena Football Hall of Fame.
Qualifications In order to be nominated for the Arena Football Hall of Fame, a candidate must have met at least one of four criteria (as of 2015, depending upon whether he is being considered as a player, a coach, or a contributor). A player who had played after the 1989 season must have played a minimum of three seasons. A player had to be retired for a minimum of three full seasons. A coach must have been active for a minimum of five seasons but does not need to be retired. There was no minimum number of seasons required for contributors but rather contribution to the significant advancement of the AFL in general.
Location Even before ArenaFan's takeover, there was no physical location for the Arena Football Hall of Fame. However, within the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a small exhibit features the history of the Arena Football League.
Ceremony and Hall of Fame Game Much like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Arena Football League had a weekend dedicated to the inductees and during a selected Hall of Fame Game the inductees would partake in a Hall of Fame ceremony. The ceremony took place prior to the game and would feature highlights as well as speeches from each of the inductees. In later years, Hall of Fame Games were aired on CBS Sports Network prior to the termination of the league's agreement with CBSN following the 2018 season.
Inductees The list is complete up to date with the 2014 Hall of Fame class. + Biographies and statistics can be referenced at the Hall of Fame web site. Inductee Class Position Team(s) YearsDwayne Dixon 1998 Wide receiver/Defensive back Washington Commandos 1987 Detroit Drive 1988–1991Jim Foster League Founder/Executive, Commissioner, Team Owner/President N/A N/A Commissioner 1987–1992 Iowa Barnstormers 1995–2001Jerry Kurz League Co-founder/Executive, Commissioner, President N/A N/A CEO (AF2) 2004–2009 Commissioner 2010–2014 President 2015–presentTim Marcum Head coach Denver Dynamite 1987 Detroit Drive 1988–1989, 1991–1993 Tampa Bay Storm 1995–2010 Kansas City Command 2011 New Orleans VooDoo (AHC) 2012 Orlando Predators (AHC/DC) 2013Gary Mullen Wide receiver/Defensive back Denver Dynamite 1987 Los Angeles Cobras 1988 Detroit Drive 1989–1992 Cincinnati Rockers 1993 Milwaukee Mustangs 1995Tate Randle Defensive Specialist Detroit Drive 1988, 1990–1992Alvin Rettig Fullback/Linebacker Detroit Drive 1988–1993Craig Walls Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman Pittsburgh Gladiators 1987–1988Jay Gruden 1999 Quarterback Tampa Bay Storm 1991–1996 Orlando Predators 2002–2003Durwood "Rock" Roquemore Defensive Specialist Chicago Bruisers 1987–1988 Albany Firebirds 1990 Orlando Predators 1991–1996Jon Roehlk Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman Washington Commandos 1987 Detroit Drive 1988–1993 Miami Hooters 1994 Iowa Barnstormers 1995–1996Gary Vitto General Manager Detroit Drive 1988–1993Ben Bennett 2000 Quarterback Chicago Bruisers 1988–1989 Dallas Texans 1990 Orlando Predators 1991–1995 San Jose SaberCats 1996 Portland Forest Dragons 1997Carl Aikens Wide receiver/Defensive back Chicago Bruisers 1988–1989 Dallas Texans 1990–1991 Orlando Predators 1992–1993 Milwaukee Mustangs 1994Hercules "Herkie" Walls Wide receiver/Defensive back Orlando Predators 1991–1996Joe March Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman Denver Dynamite 1991 Sacramento Attack 1992 Milwaukee Mustangs 1993 Tampa Bay Storm 1993–1996 Nashville Kats 1997Perry Moss Head coach Chicago Bruisers 1988 Detroit Drive 1990 Orlando Predators 1991–1997Glenn Mazula Team Owner Albany/Indiana Firebirds 1990–2002Danny White 2002 Head coach Arizona Rattlers 1992–2004 Utah Blaze 2006–2008Mike Ilitch Team Owner Detroit Drive 1988–1993John Corker Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman Detroit Drive 1988–1993 Miami Hooters 1994–1995Fred Gayles Wide receiver/Defensive back Denver Dynamite 1989 Albany Firebirds 1990–1997 New York CityHawks 1997 Grand Rapids Rampage 1998Reggie Smith Offensive Specialist Chicago Bruisers 1987–1989 Albany Firebirds 1990 Orlando Predators 1991Barry Wagner 2011 Wide receiver/Defensive back Orlando Predators 1992–1999, 2007 San Jose SaberCats 2000–2006George LaFrance Offensive Specialist Detroit Drive 1988–1993 Tampa Bay Storm 1994–1999 New Jersey Red Dogs 2000Hunkie Cooper Wide receiver/Linebacker Arizona Rattlers 1993–2005Eddie Brown Offensive Specialist Albany/Indiana Firebirds 1994–2003Sylvester Bembery Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman New England Steamrollers 1988 Albany Firebirds 1990–1993 Tampa Bay Storm 1994–1999, 2001 Buffalo Destroyers 2000Kurt Warner Quarterback Iowa Barnstormers 1995–1997Stevie Thomas Wide receiver/Linebacker Tampa Bay Storm 1991–1999 Orlando Predators 2000 New Jersey Gladiators 2001Sam Hernandez Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman Charlotte Rage 1992 Las Vegas Sting/Anaheim Piranhas 1994–1997 San Jose SaberCats 1998–2005Darren Arbet Head coach San Jose SaberCats 1999–2008, 2010–presentGene Nudo Executive Chicago Bruisers/AFL League Office/Arizona Rattlers/Dallas Vigilantes/ Chicago Rush 1987–2011Sherdrick Bonner 2012 Quarterback Arizona Rattlers 1993–2007 Chicago Rush 2008Mike Dailey Head coach Albany/Indiana Firebirds 1997–2003 Colorado Crush 2004–2008Clint Dolezel Quarterback Milwaukee Mustangs 1995–1996 Texas Terror/Houston ThunderBears 1997–1999 Grand Rapids Rampage 2001–2003 Las Vegas Gladiators 2004–2005 Dallas Desperados 2006–2008Randy Gatewood Wide receiver/Defensive back Arizona Rattlers 1996–2007Mike Hohensee Head coach Washington Commandos 1990 Albany Firebirds 1994–1996 Anaheim Piranhas 1997 New England Sea Wolves 1999–2000 Chicago Rush 2001–2008, 2010 Peoria Pirates (AF2) 2009 Philadelphia Soul 2011 Iowa Barnstormers 2012–2014 Portland Thunder 2015William Niro League Co-founder/Executive N/A N/ACory Fleming 2013 Wide receiver/Linebacker Nashville Kats 1994–1995, 2006 Carolina Cobras 2002 Orlando Predators 2003–2005Darryl Hammond Wide receiver/Linebacker Albany Firebirds 1991–1994 St. Louis Stampede 1995–1996 Nashville Kats 1997–2001, 2005–2006 Georgia Force 2003–2004 Austin Wranglers 2004Greg Hopkins Wide receiver/Linebacker Albany/Indiana Firebirds 1996–2001 Los Angeles Avengers 2002–2006 Bob McMillen Fullback/Linebacker Arizona Rattlers 1995–2001 San Jose SaberCats 2001–2002 Chicago Rush 2003–2007 Carl Paganelli Official/Adviser/Contributor N/A N/A Lawrence Samuels Wide receiver/Linebacker Tampa Bay Storm 1994–2000, 2002–2010 New Jersey Gladiators 2001 Andre Bowden 2014 Fullback/Linebacker Tampa Bay Storm 1991–1993, 1997–2001, 2003–2004 Carolina Cobras 2002 Damian Harrell Wide receiver New England Sea Wolves/Toronto Phantoms 1999–2002 Colorado Crush 2003–2007 Chicago Rush 2008 Milwaukee Mustangs 2010–2011 Kyle Moore-Brown Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman Albany/Indiana Firebirds 1995–2003 Colorado Crush 2004–2008 Omarr Smith Wide receiver/Defensive back San Jose SaberCats 2000–2002, 2004–2008 Tampa Bay Storm 2003 Class of 2015 Finalists: James Baron: Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman for the Nashville Kats from 1997 to 2001 and 2005 to 2007, and the Chicago Rush from 2002 to 2004 and 2008 Craig Bornemeier: Executive Siaha Burley: Offensive Specialist for the Orlando Predators from 2001 to 2002, the Los Angeles Avengers from 2003, the Arizona Rattlers from 2004 to 2005, 2008, and 2010, and the Utah Blaze from 2006 to 2007 B. J. Cohen: Offensive lineman/Defensive lineman for the Orlando Predators from 1999 to 2002 and 2008, the Tampa Bay Storm from 2003, the New Orleans VooDoo from 2004 to 2005, and the Kansas City Brigade from 2006 to 2007 Mark Grieb: Quarterback for the Anaheim Piranhas from 1997, the Milwaukee Mustangs from 1997, and the San Jose SaberCats from 1999 to 2008 and 2011 to 2012 Jay Gruden: Head coach for the Orlando Predators from 1998 to 2001 and 2004 to 2008. Gruden is already inducted for his playing career and thus would be the first to be inducted twice as the hall is currently configured. Kevin Guy: Head coach for the Tennessee Valley Vipers (AF2) from 2002 to 2004, the Rio Grande Valley Dorados (AF2) from 2005, and the Arizona Rattlers from 2008–present Kenny McEntyre: Defensive Specialist for the Orlando Predators from 1998 to 2006 and 2008 to 2012, and the Kansas City Brigade from 2007 Steve Papin: Offensive Specialist for the San Jose SaberCats from 1997 to 2001, the New York Dragons from 2002 to 2003, and the San Diego Riptide (AF2) from 2003 Will Pettis: Wide receiver/Defensive back for the Pensacola Barracudas (AF2) from 2002, the Dallas Desperados from 2003 to 2008, and the Dallas Vigilantes from 2010
These were the finalists for the 2015 Hall of Fame class; however, this was the year that began the decline of the league until its second bankruptcy in 2019. No future Hall of Fame announcements have been made since 2015.
AF2 Hall of Fame inductees With the dissolvement of the AF2 developmental league, there was a single class of ten members inducted into the AF2 Hall of Fame. While this league was owned and run by the AFL, a separate Hall of Fame was created. AFL and AF2 creators Jim Foster and Jerry Kurz are the only previous members of both Halls. This Hall was designed to recognize individuals who significantly impacted the AF2. While some members have been involved with AFL teams, this group was inducted based only on their contributions to the AF2. No members have been inducted beyond the inaugural class. Inductee Class Position Team(s) YearsMitch Allner 2009 Wide receiver/Defensive back, Head coach Quad City Steamwheelers 2000 Iowa Barnstormers 2001 Tulsa Talons 2002–? 2007–2011 (HC)Jim Foster 2009 League Founder/Executive, Team Owner/President N/A 2000–2009 Iowa Barnstormers 1995–2001 Quad City Steamwheelers 2000–2009Skip Foster 2009 Head coach Tulsa Talons 2000–2003 Austin Wranglers (AFL) 2004–2006Kevin Guy 2009 Head coach New Jersey Red Dogs (AFL) 2003 Tennessee Valley Vipers 2002–2004 Rio Grande Valley Dorados 2005 Arizona Rattlers (AFL / IFL) 2008–presentRich Ingold 2009 Head coach Quad City Steamwheelers 2002–2004 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers 2006–2009 Dallas Vigilantes (AFL) 2010Jerry Kurz 2009 League Co-founder/Executive, Commissioner, President N/A 2000–2009 CEO 2004–2009Dan Newman 2009 Owner/Team president, Team chairman, League executive Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings 2003–2010 New Orleans VooDoo (AFL) 2011–2015Jim Foster 2009 Offensive specialist Carolina Cobras (AFL) 2002 Memphis Xplorers 2003–2005 Las Vegas Gladiators (AFL) 2006–2007Matthew Sauk 2009 Quarterback Tennessee Valley Vipers 2001, 2003 Los Angeles Avengers (AFL) 2001 Louisville Fire 2004–2005 Philadelphia Soul (AFL) 2006 Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL) 2007 Arizona Rattlers (AFL) 2008Craig Strickland 2009 Quarterback Tulsa Talons 2000–2001, 2003 Dallas Desperados (AFL) 2004 Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz 2004–2006
Pro Football Hall of Fame Joe DeLamielleure was the first Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee to ever play with an Arena Football Team; as an apparent publicity stunt, he played two games for the Charlotte Rage in the 1992 season, seven years after he had retired from professional football.