It's been a decade since Danny White and the Rattlers took home the first pro sports championship to the state of Arizona. Wow, how the time flies. This was the second ArenaBowl I had attended and both had been in Orlando with the Predators losing.

1994 was a very intriguing year for Arena Football. The year was without the Detroit Drive, who moved to Massachusetts and looked nothing like the four-time champions tehy once were. Only five of the 11 teams had winning records. And then there was the amazing start for the Predators. Orlando was 11-0, looking for a perfect season coming into the regular season finale against the Storm. Needless to say, Tampa Bay prevailed 40-39 on a last-second field goal. Orlando easily made its way through the post-season until they faced the Rattlers for the championship. Arizona lost to Orlando to open the 1994 season 38-28, then won six straight and rolled through the playoffs to the city Mickey made.

My dad and I drive up I-4 like we did two years before to see the AFL's title game. The game was your traditionally AFL contest with back and forth scoring. Arizona led 20-17 at the half thanks to two last-minute field goals. The teams traded scores in the third quarter and then the final minute of the game played out like most AFL games. Down 31-30, Sherdrick Bonner drove the Rattlers down the field and connected with Calvin Shexnayder for the go-ahead score. Orlando had a chance to win it, but did not.

Bonner, who will be starting in his fourth title game this Sunday, was named the Most Valuable Player a decade ago. Strangely enough the Ironman was none other than Barry Wagner, who will be playing in his seventh title game this Sunday (five with Orlando; two with San Jose).

I remember after the game bumping into Wagner and asking for an autograph (sure he was a Predator, but he's the best two-way guy to ever play the game and I was still just a kid). Despite the devastating loss, he was cordial, signed my game program and even talked to me and my dad for a couple of minutes as we walked out of the arena. That's what Arena Football is all about -- fan interaction. The "big four" team sports are most times out of reach for the fans, especially after a championship loss. Not Arena Football though. That's why I've devoted my professional career to this sport and ten years later I glad I did despite the Rampage's 2004 season. Arena Football is for the fans - every fan. Even me. There's nothing quite like Arena Football.