Columbus Destroyers

The Columbus Destroyers are an Arena Football League team. The Destroyers franchise was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1999, and have played in Columbus, Ohio since 2004.

All home games are played at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Destroyers Highlights

September 25, 2003: Team relocates Columbus, Ohio as Jim Renacci and John H. McConnell, majority owner of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, partner to form a local ownership group for the franchise which would eventually include Steve Germain and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway.

In addition, legendary former Ohio State Football Coach Earle Bruce is named as the team’s first head coach and general manager after a two-year absence from the Arena Football League.

October 3, 2003: NFL great and The Ohio State University legend Chris Spielman joins the Columbus Destroyers organization as the team’s Director of Football Operations.

October 28, 2003: Destroyers announce inaugural season schedule, featuring eight home games to be played at the Nationwide Arena.

January 7, 2004: Destroyers hold first-ever mini-camp in preparation for the club’s inaugural season.

January 11, 2004: Destroyers begin training camp for the first time in Columbus.

February 7, 2004: Columbus claims a 54-48 win over the Indiana Firebirds on the road to secure the team’s first-ever victory in inaugural game. Defensive specialist JoJo Polk intercepts a Tony Zimmerman pass and returns it four yards for the game-winning score.

February 13, 2004: Columbus plays its inaugural home game, welcoming a record sellout crowd of 17,171 into Nationwide Arena as the Destroyers host the Carolina Cobras. Columbus’ falls short on the last play of the game to drop a 54-53 decision to Carolina.

April 4, 2004: Columbus claims first-ever home victory in a 55-46 win over the Orlando Predators at Nationwide Arena.

May 14, 2004: Destroyers come away with a 59-28 win over the visiting Grand Rapids Rampage, setting the largest margin of victory in franchise history (31).

May 22, 2004: Wide receiver/defensive back Sedrick Robinson returns his fifth kick for a touchdown, setting a single-season record and career record for kickoffs returned for a score.

May 30, 2004: Rookie quarterback Ryan Vena rushes for 11 yards, giving him 229 on the season in becoming the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

August 4, 2004: Destroyers announce re-structuring of football operations with Chris Spielman named Head Coach and General Manager and Earle Bruce named Vice-President of Football Operations. Spielman becomes Columbus’ second head coach in team history. In addition, David Paitson is named team president.

November 9, 2004: Destroyers unveil new look for 2005, including a new logo and modified uniforms in a ceremony at Nationwide Arena.

January 28, 2005: Chris Spielman makes his head coaching debut versus the Nashville Kats at Nationwide Arena.

July 14, 2005: The Destroyers introduce Doug Kay as the third head coach in Columbus Destroyers history at a press conference held in the Founders Club at Nationwide Arena.

September 19, 2005: The remainder of the coaching staff is announced with Offensive Coordinator Ken Matous, Offensive Assistant/Special Teams Coordinator Chris MacKeown and Defensive Assistant Ian Cooper joining Director of Football Operations/Line Coach Jim Lachey and Defensive Assistant Vinnie Clark.

January 7, 2006: The Destroyers open up their third Training Camp in Columbus history at the Columbus FieldHouse with 37 players reporting to camp.

January 29, 2006: The 2006 season kicks off at Nationwide Arena with the Destroyers defeating the Grand Rapids Rampage 53-30 in front of 12,451 fans.

March 18, 2006: The Destroyers hold the Philadelphia Soul to their fewest points scored in a 53-20 victory in front of 12,807 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena.

March 25, 2006: Following a strong defensive performance from the previous week, the Destroyers defeat the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush 65-21 in front of 17,416 fans at the Pepsi Center in Denver. It was the worst loss in franchise history for the Crush.

April 5, 2006: Defensive specialist Jerald Brown became the first Destroyers player to be named AFL Player of the Month when he was named Defensive Player of the Month for March.

April 29, 2006: The Destroyers set a franchise record for road wins in a season with four after a come from behind 40-33 victory over the Austin Wranglers in front of 10,340 fans at the Frank Erwin Center.

May 4, 2006: Destroyers kicker Mark Lewis becomes the second player to earn a League monthly award when he is named Kicker of the Month for April.

May 6, 2006: In a season full of franchise records being set, the Destroyers tied a franchise record for home wins in a season with their fourth of the season coming over the Tampa Bay Storm. The eighth win, which came in front of 14,357 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena, established a franchise record for wins in a season.

May 17, 2006: Destroyers defensive specialist Jerald Brown becomes the first player in franchise history to be named First Team All-Arena.

May 30, 2006: The awards continue to roll in for Brown, who is named the Arena Football League’s ADT Defensive Player of the Year. Brown set franchise records for interceptions (11) and interception return yards (133) during the 2006 campaign.

September 6, 2006: Destroyers acquire quarterback Matt Nagy from the Georgia Force for defensive lineman Mike Sutton. Nagy was the signal caller for the Force in ArenaBowl XIX.

January 1, 2007: The Destroyers make coaching changes by adding offensive coordinator Skip Foster, defensive assistant coaches Mitch Matuska and Cecil Doggette.

February 9, 2007: The Destroyers open their fourth camp in Columbus. The team begins practices at the Columbus FieldHouse with 40 players reporting to camp.

April 14, 2007: The Destroyers set the third highest point total in franchise history in a 72-49 victory over the Austin Wranglers. Quarterback Matt Nagy set a franchise record with nine touchdown passes and Damien Groce tied a franchise mark with five receiving touchdowns and 30 points scored in the contest.

April 23, 2007: The Destroyers make their Monday night debut on “Russell Athletic ESPN Monday Night” defeating the Philadelphia Soul 44-21, the third lowest point total given up by a Destroyers team in franchise history. The game was broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

June 23, 2007: The Destroyers qualify for the AFL playoffs for the first time since the team moved to Columbus in 2004. The offense scored on 10-of-12 possessions to give the team a 74-43 victory over the New York Dragons. The 74 points scored is the second most in franchise history.

June 30, 2007: In an exciting game that was settled on a missed field goal attempt, the Destroyers defeated the Tampa Bay Storm 56-55, the team’s first-ever post-season victory.

July 7, 2007: With the use of two net-returns, the Destroyers eliminate a 10-point deficit at halftime to beat the Dallas Desperados 66-59.

July 14, 2007: The Destroyers defeat the Georgia Force 66-56 for their first-ever National Conference title.

July 29, 2007: Representing the National Conference, the Destroyers made their first appearance in the League’s title game. The San Jose SaberCats defeated the Destroyers 55-33 at ArenaBowl XXI-New Orleans, the first championship game held in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

August 8, 2007: Destroyers sign quarterback Matt Nagy to a two-year extension. Nagy is the franchise leader in passes attempted (545), passes completed (341) and touchdowns (75).

January 16, 2008: The Destroyers announce that Michael Baker, John Zinser and Jonathan Churchill will join coaching staff for the 2008 season.

April 2, 2008: The Destroyers hire Lary Kuharich as offensive coordinator.

April 13, 2008: Columbus' 22-consecutive game streak of not allowing opponents more than 60 points is snapped by the New York Dragons in a 62-44 loss in Uniondale, NY. The streak stands as the longest in franchise history.

April 21, 2008: Wide receiver Derek Lee becomes the 35th player in AFL history to catch 100 touchdowns.

C.J. Johnson, Derek Lee and Calvin Russell become first triumverate to catch over 100-yards receiving in a single-game in franchise history. Johnson caught seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns, Lee hauled in six passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns and Russell made six receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Nagy finished with a single-game career-high 389 yards passing.

June 21, 2008: The Destroyers complete their fifth season in Columbus with a 47-35 loss to their in-state rival Cleveland Gladiators.

June 22, 2008: Derek Lee is the League's leading receiver with 141 receptions for 1,755 yards beating out the Philadelphia Soul's Chris Jackson (140 rec. for 1,719 yards).

June 23, 2008: President, Partner and General Manager Jim Renacci and Head Coach Doug Kay reach mutual agreement to not extend Kay's contract past the 2008 season.

July 15, 2008: Pat Sperduto is named the fourth head coach in Columbus Destroyers history and the seventh in the history of the Columbus/Buffalo franchise.