Orlando Rage (XFL)

The Orlando Rage was an American football team based in Orlando, Florida as part of the failed XFL begun by Vince McMahon of the World Wrestling Federation and by NBC, a major television network in the United States.

History
The team's colors were scarlet, yellow, navy blue and white with jersey numbers in a unique jagged font. They played their home games at Orlando's Citrus Bowl. The team's General Manager was Tom Veit a former Major League Soccer Vice President and were coached by former Florida Gators head coach Galen Hall. They were in the XFL's Eastern Division with the NY/NJ Hitmen, Chicago Enforcers and Birmingham Thunderbolts.

Jeff Brohm was the quarterback of the Rage for most of the regular season, amassing a 6–0 record as starter during his first time at the helm. The team looked to be the league's powerhouse franchise under Brohm. He showed his toughness after he suffered an injury from a devastating hit by at the hands of Memphis Maniax defensive end Shante Carver in Week 5. Brohm came back a week later against Las Vegas, but the following week he suffered a career ending shoulder injury against the Los Angeles Extreme and his season was done for good. It led to him being replaced by Brian Kuklick after six games. While Kuklick filled in the role of quarterback admirably, the team lost a valuable leader on offense. The team went 2–2 in Kuklick's care.

The team finished their only regular season with an 8–2 record, the best in the league, but were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the 5–5 San Francisco Demons. Orlando had an early 16–0 advantage but allowed San Francisco to pull ahead and take a 26–16 lead by the fourth quarter. The Rage got within one point but the Demons successfully ran out the clock and won 26–25. San Francisco would go on to lose the XFL Championship Game versus Los Angeles 38–6. Many in the league were disappointed, hoping for a match-up against the two division champions. NBC dropped the XFL concept after the first season (2001) due to dismal ratings, and the league folded soon afterward.



Season-by-season
!Totals || 8 || 3 || 0
 * 2001 || 8 || 2 || 0 || 1st Eastern || Lost Semifinals (San Francisco)
 * 2001 || 8 || 2 || 0 || 1st Eastern || Lost Semifinals (San Francisco)
 * colspan="2"| (including playoffs)

Statistical leaders

 * Rushing yards: 387, Derrick Clark


 * Receiving yards: 659, Dialleo Burks


 * Passing yards: 998, Brian Kuklick