Shreveport Knights Explained
The Shreveport Knights were a professional American football team that played during the 1999 season as part of the Regional Football League.[1] They played their home games at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana.[2]
The team was announced as one of the league's charter members on November 12, 1998.[3] The team was initially named the "Shreveport-Bossier City Southern Knights", however this was too long and the name was shortened.[4] For their lone season, Fred Akers served as head coach, and Jason Martin, who had played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, was the starting quarterback. The team's colors were purple, green, and gold.
Although the team was scheduled to play a 12-game regular season,[5] poor attendance and sagging revenues would prove too much for the new league. After playing to a 3–4 record, the Knights were unable to use their home stadium, for financial reasons.[6] For the eighth game of the season, adjustment by the league resulted in Shreveport being rescheduled to play on the road, but when the Knights did not travel to the game, they were assessed a forfeit. Shortly thereafter, the league ended the regular season, and the Knights did not qualify for the playoffs with their 3–5 record. After the season, the team and the league ceased operation.
1999 season schedule
| Date | Opponent | Site | W/L | Score | Attnd. | Ref. |
|---|
| April 17 | | Home | W | 40–12 | 2,866 | [7] |
| April 24 | | Away | L | 7–15 | 13,256 | [8] |
| May 1 | | Home | W | 29–13 | | [9] |
| May 8 | | Home | L | 14–17 | 2,000 | [10] [11] |
| May 16 | | Away | W | 31–14 | 125 | [12] [13] |
| May 22 | Mississippi Pride | Away | L | 10–35 | 4,800 | [14] |
| May 30 | Houston Outlaws | Away | L | 7–17 | | [15] |
| June 6 | Ohio Cannon | Away | L | | — | [16] | |
Shreveport had been scheduled to host New Orleans on June 5, but Shreveport was unable to use their stadium. The league rescheduled New Orleans to play in Mississippi on that date,
[17] and Shreveport was rescheduled to play in Ohio on June 6. A forfeit was assessed to Shreveport when they did not travel to play Ohio.
[18] Further reading
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Knights Fact Sheet . Remember the RFL . 2015-03-23 . Google Sites.
- News: Beginning of the Knights' Reign . . . 28 . April 17, 1999 . January 26, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- Web site: League . Remember the RFL . January 25, 2019 . Google Sites.
- News: Knights Notes . . . 28 . April 17, 1999 . January 26, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: 1999 Schedule . . . 28 . April 17, 1999 . January 26, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Knights cancel Saturday home finale . Jason . Pugh . . . 17 . June 4, 1999 . January 26, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Knights blow out Pride in opener . John . McCloskey . . . 45 . April 18, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Mobile wins 1st at home . Bill . Vilona . . . 45 . April 25, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Knights return to form in victory . John . McCloskey . . . 45 . May 2, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Shreveport falls to Houston on late field goal . John . McCloskey . . . 43 . May 9, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Knights Report . John . McCloskey . . . 45 . May 9, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Philyaw, Knights struggle early but finish strong . John . McCloskey . . . 15 . May 17, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Knights Report . John . McCloskey . . . 17 . May 17, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Patridge, Ashley prove unstoppable; Pride turns tables on Knights 35-10 . Henry . Goolsby . . . 23 . May 23, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Knights fall to Houston . . . 13 . June 1, 1999 . January 24, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: RFL to begin playoffs without Knights . John . McCloskey . . . 15 . June 7, 1999 . January 23, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Pride, RFL try to adjust . Henry . Goolsby . . . 17 . June 4, 1999 . January 27, 2019 . newspapers.com.
- News: Pride relishes change to apprehend Outlaws . Henry . Goolsby . . . 23 . June 9, 1999 . January 23, 2019 . newspapers.com.
