Los Angeles Cobras

The Los Angeles Cobras were a professional arena football team based in Los Angeles, California that played one season (1988) in the Arena Football League.

Los Angeles Cobras
Established 1988
Folded 1988
Played in Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Cobras logo
League/conference affiliations
Arena Football League (1988)
Team colorsNavy, goldenrod, white
     
Personnel
Head coachRay Willsey
Team history
  • Los Angeles Cobras (1988)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Playoff appearances (1)
Home arena(s)

History
Main article: 1988 Los Angeles Cobras season

On March 16, 1988, it was announced that team would be nicknamed the Cobras, as well as the introduction of head coach Ray Willsey.[1] 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.[2] The Cobras started the season 0–3,[3] but finished the season 5–3–1, clinching a playoff spot.[4]

Despite a lineup that featured former NFL all-pro receiver Cliff Branch, ex-UCLA quarterback Matt Stevens[5] and future Arena Football Hall of Famer Gary Mullen, Los Angeles drew dismal crowds: just 7,507 per game, second-worst in the AFL.[4] The Cobras lost in the semifinals to the Chicago Bruisers, 29–16.[6] It turned out to be their last game ever as the Cobras folded after the 1988 season, temporarily cutting the league down

Season-by-season
Season records
SeasonWLTFinishPlayoff results
19885614thLost Week 1 (Chicago 29-16)
Totals571 (including playoffs)

Notable players

Roster
1988 Los Angeles Cobras roster
Quarterbacks

Wide receivers/Defensive backs

 Running backs/Linebackers

Offensive linemen/Defensive linemen

  • -- Eric Arrington
  • 55 Brian Clark
  • 60 Chuck Harris
  • 72 Dwayne Jackson
  • 84 Michael Jones
  • 80 Tony Palamara
  • 82 Louis Sorrentino
  • 64 Dester Stowers
  • 66 Wes Walton
 Wide receivers/Linebackers

Kickers

Rookies in italics
Roster updated February 5, 2013
28 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

Arena Football League Hall of Famers
Los Angeles Cobras Hall of Famers
No. Name Year inducted Position(s) Years w/ Cobras
1Gary Mullen1995WR/DB1988

All-Arena players

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

Notable coaches

Head coaches
Name Term Regular season Playoffs Awards
W L T Win% W L
Ray Willsey 1988 5 6 1 .458 0 1

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.

References
  1. Lonnie White (March 17, 1988). "Arena Football : Ray Willsey Will Coach L.A.'s Cobras". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. Lonnie White (April 30, 2013). "Cobras, Arena Football Make L.A. Debut Tonight". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  3. Lonnie White (May 21, 1988). "Now, Matt Stevens' Job Is to Turn the Cobras Around". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  4. Lonnie White (July 23, 1988). "L.A. Is a Tough Arena for Indoor Football : Cobras Are Still Making Some Gains Despite Competition for Sports Dollar". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  5. Lonnie White (April 6, 1988). "Branch, Stevens Head Cobra Picks". www.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  6. "Box Score LA @ Chicago July 23, 1988". www.arenafan.com. ArenaFan. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
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