The Alliance of American Football announced the awarding of the third inaugural league team, Alliance Memphis, on May 4, 2018.[7] This announcement was followed by the May 10, 2018, announcement of Mike Singletary as the team's head coach.[3]
On July 30, 2018, the Alliance announced team Memphis had signed its first 29 players.[8] On September 20, the league announced four eastern inaugural franchises' names and logos including Memphis as the Memphis Express.[9] The name is derived from Memphis' significance as a mail and cargo transport city being the "World Headquarters" of FedEx (formerly Federal Express), with an airplane being featured in the logo.[10] (FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith had previously owned the Memphis Mad Dogs pro football team in the 1990s; as the AAF was a single-entity league that never progressed to selling individual franchises as originally planned, Smith had no involvement or investment with the Express, despite the use of the Express name and imagery.)
On January 5, 2019, training camp opened in San Antonio, Texas.[11] The final 52-man roster was released on January 30.[12] The Express' inaugural game, played against the Birmingham Iron at Legion Field on February 10, ended in a 26–0 shutout loss.[13] Their first home game was a 20–18 loss against the Arizona Hotshots during week 2.[14] Memphis notched their first win on March 2, with a 26–23 victory over the San Diego Fleet at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.[15]
On March 16, 2019, shortly after the Express fell to 1–5 in a 22–9 loss to the Salt Lake Stallions, the team announced they had signed Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel.[16]
On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were suspended,[4][5] and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.[6] On April 17, 2019, the league announced the cessation of business operations after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.[17]
2019 Memphis Express final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
|
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
|
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
|
|
|
|
Reserve lists
Rights list
50 Active, 14 Inactive
|
The Express' assigned area, which designated player rights, included the following colleges:[8]
Memphis Express staff
|
|
- Front office
- Head coaches
- Offensive coaches
|
|
|
- Defensive coaches
- Special teams coaches
- Special teams coordinator/Running backs – Ty Knott
|
2019 Alliance of American Football standings
|
Eastern Conference
|
Club
|
W–L
|
PCT
|
CONF
|
PF
|
PA
|
DIFF
|
SOS
|
SOV
|
STK
|
(x) – Orlando Apollos
|
7–1
|
.875
|
5–0
|
236
|
136
|
100
|
.406
|
.375
|
W2
|
(x) – Birmingham Iron
|
5–3
|
.625
|
3–2
|
165
|
133
|
32
|
.406
|
.300
|
W1
|
(e) – Memphis Express
|
2–6
|
.250
|
1–4
|
152
|
194
|
-42
|
.578
|
.500
|
L1
|
(e) – Atlanta Legends
|
2–6
|
.250
|
1–4
|
88
|
213
|
-125
|
.609
|
.438
|
L3
|
Western Conference
|
Club
|
W–L
|
PCT
|
CONF
|
PF
|
PA
|
DIFF
|
SOS
|
SOV
|
STK
|
San Antonio Commanders
|
5–3
|
.625
|
3–2
|
158
|
154
|
4
|
.516
|
.450
|
L1
|
Arizona Hotshots
|
5–3
|
.625
|
3–2
|
186
|
144
|
42
|
.469
|
.500
|
W3
|
San Diego Fleet
|
3–5
|
.375
|
2–3
|
158
|
161
|
-3
|
.469
|
.417
|
L3
|
Salt Lake Stallions
|
3–5
|
.375
|
2–3
|
135
|
143
|
-8
|
.547
|
.417
|
W1
|
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention
|
All times Central
† Changed from original time and/or network.[18][19]
[20]
Week 1: at Birmingham
edit
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- (9:44) BIRM – Nick Novak 29-yard field goal, Iron 3–0
- Second Quarter
- (10:36) BIRM – Nick Novak 28-yard field goal, Iron 6–0
- (3:21) BIRM – Nick Novak 47-yard field goal, Iron 9–0
- Third Quarter
- No scoring plays
- Fourth Quarter
- (13:26) BIRM – Trent Richardson 4-yard rush (Luis Perez pass to Trent Richardson), Iron 17–0
- (4:17) BIRM – Nick Novak 32 yard field goal, Iron 20–0
- (1:55) BIRM – Trent Richardson 5-yard rush (rush failed), Iron 26–0
|
- Top Passers
- Top Rushers
- Top Receivers
- MEM – Alton Howard – 4 receptions, 33 yards
- BIRM – Quinton Patton – 4 receptions, 107 yards
|
|
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- (8:03) MEM – Josh Jasper 38-yard field goal, Express 3–0
- (5:37) MEM – Zac Stacy 9-yard rush (rush failed), Express 9–0
- Second Quarter
- (8:36) MEM – Josh Jasper 35-yard field goal, Express 12–0
- Third Quarter
- Fourth Quarter
- (13:39) MEM – Christian Hackenberg 4-yard rush (pass failed), Express 18–6
- (11:31) ARIZ – Justin Stockton 45-yard rush (John Wolford rush), Express 18–14
- (7:07) ARIZ – John Wolford 4-yard pass to Tim Cook (pass failed), Hotshots 20–18
|
- Top Passers
- Top Rushers
- ARIZ – Tim Cook – 13 carries, 73 yards
- MEM – Zac Stacy – 19 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD
- Top Receivers
- ARIZ – Josh Huff – 2 receptions, 84 yards
- MEM – Reece Horn – 5 receptions, 56 yards
|
|
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- (13:21) ORL – D'Ernest Johnson 4-yard rush (rush failed), Apollos 6–0
- (7:37) ORL – Elliot Fry 31-yard field goal, Apollos 9–0
- Second Quarter
- No scoring plays
- Third Quarter
- Fourth Quarter
- (14:11) MEM – Josh Jasper 27-yard field goal, Apollos 15–9
- (9:07) ORL – Garrett Gilbert 21-yard rush (rush failed), Apollos 21–9
- (5:40) MEM – Zach Mettenberger 40-yard pass to Gerrard Sheppard (Zach Mettenberger pass to Anthony Manzo-Lewis), Apollos 21–17
|
- Top Passers
- Top Rushers
- MEM – Sherman Badie – 8 attempts, 59 yards
- ORL – D'Ernest Johnson – 13 attempts, 79 yards
- Top Receivers
|
|
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- Second Quarter
- (10:58) MEM – Austin MacGinnis 40-yard field goal, Fleet 14–6
- (5:41) SD – Alex Ross 30-yard pass to Marcus Baugh (rush failed), Fleet 20–6
- (1:55) MEM – Austin MacGinnis 35-yard field goal, Fleet 20–9
- (0:18) MEM – Zach Mettenberger 1-yard rush (pass failed), Fleet 20–15
- Third Quarter
- No scoring plays
- Fourth Quarter
- (14:03) SD – Donny Hageman 46-yard field goal, Fleet 23–15
- (6:01) MEM – Zach Mettenberger 6-yard pass to Terrence Magee (Zach Mettenberger rush), Tied 23–23
- (2:42) MEM – Austin MacGinnis 45-yard field goal, Express 26–23
|
- Top Passers
- Top Rushers
- Top Receivers
- SD – Dontez Ford – 3 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD
- MEM – Reece Horn – 4 receptions, 63 yards
|
|
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- (7:33) ATL – Younghoe Koo 38-yard field goal, Legends 3–0
- (4:55) MEM – Zac Stacy 7-yard rush (pass failed), Express 6–3
- Second Quarter
- (13:25) ATL – Tarean Folston 2-yard rush (Aaron Murray pass to Justin Thomas), Legends 11–6
- (9:18) MEM – Zac Stacy 3-yard rush (pass failed), Express 12–11
- (0:00) ATL – Younghoe Koo 25-yard field goal, Legends 14–12
- Third Quarter
- Fourth Quarter
- (11:50) ATL – Aaron Murray 2-yard pass to Tarean Folston (pass failed), Tied 20–20
- (0:09) ATL – Younghoe Koo 35-yard field goal, Legends 23–20
|
- Top Passers
- Top Rushers
- Top Receivers
- MEM – Sherman Badie – 1 reception, 56 yards
- ATL – Seantavius Jones – 5 receptions, 89 yards
|
|
Week 6: at Salt Lake
edit
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- Second Quarter
- Third Quarter
- No scoring plays
- Fourth Quarter
- (11:57) SL – Taylor Bertolet 22-yard field goal, Stallions 22–9
|
- Top Passers
- MEM – Brandon Silvers – 23/37, 242 yards, 1 TD
- SL – Josh Woodrum – 24/37, 243 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- Top Rushers
- Top Receivers
- MEM – Reece Horn – 8 receptions, 129 yards
- SL – Nick Truesdell – 5 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD
|
|
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- Second Quarter
- Third Quarter
- (9:04) BIRM – Nick Novak 28-yard field goal, Iron 19–8
- (3:54) MEM – Blocked punt returned 50 yards for touchdown by Terrell Bonds (pass failed), Iron 19–14
- Fourth Quarter
- Overtime
- MEM – Brandon Silvers 10-yard pass to Dan Williams, Express 31–25
|
- Top Passers
- BIRM – Luis Perez – 16/37, 235 yards, 2 TD
- MEM – Brandon Silvers – 24/35, 266 yards, 2 TD
- Top Rushers
- Top Receivers
- BIRM – Amba Etta-Tawo – 3 receptions, 71 yards
- MEM – Reece Horn – 7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD
|
|
This was the first overtime game in AAF history. Despite newly signed quarterback Johnny Manziel playing a few series for the Express, starter Brandon Silvers led the team to a comeback victory, keeping its slim postseason chances alive.[28]
Game information
|
- First Quarter
- (9:30) ORL – Elliott Fry 25-yard field goal, Apollos 3–0
- Second Quarter
- (12:52) ORL – Elliott Fry 37-yard field goal, Apollos 6–0
- (8:45) MEM – Austin MacGinnis 51-yard field goal, Apollos 6–3
- (6:55) MEM – Austin MacGinnis 29-yard field goal, Tied 6–6
- (1:55) ORL – D'Ernest Johnson 3-yard rush (D'Ernest Johnson rush), Apollos 14–6
- (0:09) MEM – Austin MacGinnis 34-yard field goal, Apollos 14–9
- Third Quarter
- Fourth Quarter
|
- Top Passers
- Top Rushers
- Top Receivers
|
|
- ^ "New pro football team could boost business in Memphis". WREG Memphis. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ Froyd, Crissy (August 27, 2018). "Zach Mettenberger and Antonio Andrews reunite in new pro league". Titans Wire. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ a b "Mike Singletary will coach Memphis team in upcoming Alliance of American Football". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Kercheval, Ben (April 2, 2019). "AAF operations suspended, league's future in doubt after eight games of first season". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- ^ a b "AAF to immediately suspend operations". ESPN. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ a b Schwartz, Nick (April 4, 2019). "AAF star Keith Reaser becomes first player to sign NFL deal after league shutdown". USA Today. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- ^ "Memphis awarded Alliance of American Football team". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ a b Munz, Jason (August 1, 2018). "Alliance of American Football announces Memphis team has signed 28 players". The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ Benjamin, Cody (September 20, 2018). "LOOK: Alliance of American Football unveils logos of four pro teams that will debut in 2019". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- ^ Munz, Jason (September 20, 2018). "Memphis' new pro football team now has a name and logo". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Cole (January 5, 2019). "Alliance of American Football Training Camp Officially Underway in San Antonio". AAF.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ^ "Memphis Express sets final roster". Alliance of American Football. January 30, 2019. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ Kercheval, Ben (February 10, 2019). "AAF Week 1 scores, highlights: Trent Richardson scores two TDs after slow start in Iron debut". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
- ^ "Hotshots come back to become first team with road win in AAF history". arizonasports. KTAR. February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ Mellor, Cam (March 3, 2019). "ReFocused: Memphis Express 26, San Diego Fleet 23". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
- ^ Rubino, Dylan (March 16, 2019). "Memphis gets Manziel: Heisman QB joins Alliance". AAF.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
- ^ "AAF Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy". Front Office Sports. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ Florio, Mike (February 25, 2019). "AAF does its first-ever scheduling flex". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- ^ "CBS SPORTS ELEVATES TWO ALLIANCE GAMES TO CBS TELEVISION NETWORK". Alliance of American Football. March 14, 2019. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "2019 Memphis Express Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ Filipe, Cameron (February 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 1, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ Filipe, Cameron (February 13, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 2, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ Filipe, Cameron (February 22, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 3, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ Filipe, Cameron (February 27, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 4, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ Filipe, Cameron (March 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 5, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ Filipe, Cameron (March 14, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 6, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ Filipe, Cameron (March 21, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 7, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ Anderson, Brett (March 24, 2019). "AAF Week 7 scores, updates, highlights: Johnny Manziel debuts, but other Express QB wins it in OT". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ Filipe, Cameron (March 28, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 8, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- ^ Greer, Jarvis (December 14, 2018). "Local radio station tabbed as Memphis Express home". WMC-TV. Retrieved March 16, 2019.