Shreveport Knights

The Shreveport Knights were a professional American football team that played during the 1999 season as part of the Regional Football League.[2] They played their home games at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana.[3]

Shreveport Knights
Founded1998
Folded1999
LeagueRegional Football League
Based inShreveport, Louisiana
StadiumIndependence Stadium
ColorsPurple, Green & Gold
OwnerJay Graddick[1]
Head coachFred Akers

The team was announced as one of the league's charter members on November 12, 1998.[4] The team was initially named the "Shreveport-Bossier City Southern Knights", however this was too long and the name was shortened.[5] 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.[6] The team's colors were purple, green, and gold.

Although the team was scheduled to play a 12-game regular season,[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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
DateOpponentSiteW/LScoreAttnd.Ref.
April 17 Mississippi PrideHomeW40–122,866[6]
April 24Mobile AdmiralsAwayL7–1513,256[10]
May 1Ohio CannonHomeW29–13[11]
May 8Houston OutlawsHomeL14–172,000[12][13]
May 16New Orleans ThunderAwayW31–14125[14][15]
May 22Mississippi PrideAwayL10–354,800[16]
May 30Houston OutlawsAwayL7–17[17]
June 6Ohio CannonAwayLforfeit—[9]

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,[18] 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.[19]

References
  1. McCloskey, John (April 11, 1999). "Knights Report". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 51. Retrieved January 28, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  2. "Knights Fact Sheet". Remember the RFL. Retrieved 2015-03-23 – via Google Sites.
  3. "Beginning of the Knights' Reign". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. April 17, 1999. p. 28. Retrieved January 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  4. "League". Remember the RFL. Retrieved January 25, 2019 – via Google Sites.
  5. "Knights Notes". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. April 17, 1999. p. 28. Retrieved January 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  6. McCloskey, John (April 18, 1999). "Knights blow out Pride in opener". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 45. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  7. "1999 Schedule". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. April 17, 1999. p. 28. Retrieved January 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  8. Pugh, Jason (June 4, 1999). "Knights cancel Saturday home finale". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 17. Retrieved January 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  9. McCloskey, John (June 7, 1999). "RFL to begin playoffs without Knights". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 15. Retrieved January 23, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  10. Vilona, Bill (April 25, 1999). "Mobile wins 1st at home". Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola, Florida. p. 45. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  11. McCloskey, John (May 2, 1999). "Knights return to form in victory". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 45. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  12. McCloskey, John (May 9, 1999). "Shreveport falls to Houston on late field goal". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 43. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  13. McCloskey, John (May 9, 1999). "Knights Report". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 45. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  14. McCloskey, John (May 17, 1999). "Philyaw, Knights struggle early but finish strong". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 15. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  15. McCloskey, John (May 17, 1999). "Knights Report". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 17. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  16. Goolsby, Henry (May 23, 1999). "Patridge, Ashley prove unstoppable; Pride turns tables on Knights 35-10". The Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. p. 23. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  17. "Knights fall to Houston". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. June 1, 1999. p. 13. Retrieved January 24, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  18. Goolsby, Henry (June 4, 1999). "Pride, RFL try to adjust". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 17. Retrieved January 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  19. Goolsby, Henry (June 9, 1999). "Pride relishes change to apprehend Outlaws". The Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. p. 23. Retrieved January 23, 2019 – via newspapers.com.

Further reading
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