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Memphis Express

Former professional American football team in Memphis, Tennessee From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Memphis Express
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The Memphis Express was a professional American football franchise based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was a member of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) during its single season in 2019.[1] They played their home games at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium,[2] and were coached by former NFL player and head coach Mike Singletary.[3]

Quick Facts League/conference affiliations, Team colors ...

On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were reportedly suspended,[4][5] and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.[6]

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History

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The Alliance of American Football announced the awarding of the third inaugural league team, Alliance Memphis, on May 4, 2018.[7] This announcement was followed by the May 10, 2018, announcement of Mike Singletary as the team's head coach.[3]

On July 30, 2018, the Alliance announced team Memphis had signed its first 29 players.[8] On September 20, the league announced four eastern inaugural franchises' names and logos including Memphis as the Memphis Express.[9] The name is derived from Memphis' significance as a mail and cargo transport city being the "World Headquarters" of FedEx (formerly Federal Express), with an airplane being featured in the logo.[10] (FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith had previously owned the Memphis Mad Dogs pro football team in the 1990s; as the AAF was a single-entity league that never progressed to selling individual franchises as originally planned, Smith had no involvement or investment with the Express, despite the use of the Express name and imagery.)

On January 5, 2019, training camp opened in San Antonio, Texas.[11] The final 52-man roster was released on January 30.[12] The Express' inaugural game, played against the Birmingham Iron at Legion Field on February 10, ended in a 26–0 shutout loss.[13] Their first home game was a 20–18 loss against the Arizona Hotshots during week 2.[14] Memphis notched their first win on March 2, with a 26–23 victory over the San Diego Fleet at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.[15]

On March 16, 2019, shortly after the Express fell to 1–5 in a 22–9 loss to the Salt Lake Stallions, the team announced they had signed Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel.[16]

On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were suspended,[4][5] and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.[6] On April 17, 2019, the league announced the cessation of business operations after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.[17]

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Final roster

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2019 Memphis Express final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Rights list


50 Active, 14 Inactive

Allocation pool

The Express' assigned area, which designated player rights, included the following colleges:[8]

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Staff

Memphis Express staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
  • Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – David Lee
  • Wide receivers – Bobby Blizzard
  • Offensive line – Steve Marshall
 
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams coordinator/Running backs – Ty Knott

2019 season

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Quick Facts 2019 season, Owner ...

Final standings

More information Eastern Conference, Club ...

Schedule

Preseason

More information Week, Day ...

Regular season

All times Central

More information Week, Day ...

Changed from original time and/or network.[18][19]
[20]

Game summaries

Week 1: at Birmingham

More information Quarter, Total ...
More information Game information ...
Week One: Memphis Express at Birmingham Iron – Game summary

at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

Week 2: Arizona

More information Quarter, Total ...
More information Game information ...
Week Two: Arizona Hotshots at Memphis Express – Game summary

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Week 3: at Orlando

More information Quarter, Total ...
More information Game information ...
Week Three: Memphis Express at Orlando Apollos – Game summary

at Spectrum Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Week 4: San Diego

More information Quarter, Total ...
More information Game information ...
Week Four: San Diego Fleet at Memphis Express – Game summary

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Week 5: at Atlanta

More information Quarter, Total ...
More information Game information ...
Week Five: Memphis Express at Atlanta Legends – Game summary

at Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Week 6: at Salt Lake

More information Quarter, Total ...
More information Game information ...
Week Six: Memphis Express at Salt Lake Stallions – Game summary

at Rice–Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah

Week 7: Birmingham

More information Quarter, OT ...
More information Game information ...
Week Seven: Birmingham Iron at Memphis Express – Game summary

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

This was the first overtime game in AAF history. Despite newly signed quarterback Johnny Manziel playing a few series for the Express, starter Brandon Silvers led the team to a comeback victory, keeping its slim postseason chances alive.[28]

Week 8: Orlando

More information Quarter, Total ...
More information Game information ...
Week Eight: Orlando Apollos at Memphis Express – Game summary

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

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Media

In addition to league-wide television coverage through NFL Network, CBS Sports Network, TNT, and B/R Live, Memphis' games were also broadcast on local radio by KWNW, an iHeartMedia station branded as 101.9 Kiss FM.[30]

References

Further reading

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