New England Steamrollers

The New England Steamrollers were a former Arena Football League based in Providence, Rhode Island. The team played in the AFL's 1988 season. The Steamrollers were one of four teams to enter the AFL in 1988, and along with the New York Knights and Los Angeles Cobras were folded following the season.

New England Steamrollers
Established 1988
Folded 1988
Played in Providence Civic Center
in Providence, Rhode Island
New England Steamrollers logo
League/conference affiliations
Arena Football League (1988)
Team colorsBlack, orange, white
     
Personnel
Owner(s)Frank J. Russo
Robert Andreoli
Head coachBabe Parilli
Team history
  • New England Steamrollers (1988)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Prior to 2005, the AFL did not have conference championship games
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)

The Steamrollers were based out of Providence, Rhode Island and played their home games at the Providence Civic Center. They were the first professional football team of any kind to play in Providence since the Providence Steam Roller folded in 1933 and the first non-minor league professional sports franchise to play in the city since the NBA's Providence Steamrollers folded in 1949.

The coach of the Steamrollers was former Boston Patriots All-Pro quarterback Babe Parilli.

History
Main article: 1988 New England Steamrollers season

In 1988, Concert and fight promoter, Frank J. Russo, and jeweler, Robert Andreoli, purchased a limited partnership from the Arena Football League to own the rights to a Providence, Rhode Island team.[1] The team's first move was the hiring of Head Coach, Babe Parilli in March.[2][3] After a 3-9 season, the Steamrollers didn't achieve the dollar amount that Russo and Andreoli thought they would, and the franchise folded.[4]

Notable players

Roster
1988 New England Steamrollers roster
Quarterbacks

Wide receivers/Defensive backs

 Running backs/Linebackers

Offensive linemen/Defensive linemen

 Wide receivers/Linebackers

Kickers

Rookies in italics
Roster updated February 12, 2013
29 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

Arena Football League Hall of Famers
New England Steamrollers Hall of Famers
No. Name Year inducted Position(s) Years w/ Steamrollers
68Sylvester Bembery2011OL/DL1988

All-Arena players

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

Head coaches
Name Term Regular season Playoffs Awards
W L T Win% W L
Babe Parilli 1988 3 9 0 .250 0 0

Season-by-season
Season records
SeasonWLTFinishPlayoff results
19883905th--

References
  1. Andy Crossley. "1988 New England Steamrollers". www.funwhileitlasted.net. Fun While it Lasted. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  2. Paul Zimmerman (July 11, 1988). "Off-the-wall Ball". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  3. "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. March 2, 1988. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  4. Andy Crossley (April 27, 2012). "Rob Ekno Interview". www.box.com. Box. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
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