Birmingham Iron

The Birmingham Iron were a professional American football franchise based in Birmingham, Alabama, and one of the eight members of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which played one season from February 2019 to April 2019.[1] They played their home games at Legion Field. The Iron were coached by former National Football League player and coach Tim Lewis. Trey Brown was the executive vice president of football operations and Joe Pendry was the general manager.

Birmingham Iron
Established 2018
Folded 2019
Played in Legion Field
in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham Iron logo
League/conference affiliations
Alliance of American Football (2019)
  • Eastern Conference (2019)
Team colorsBlack, silver & white
              
Personnel
General managerJoe Pendry
Head coachTim Lewis
Team history
  • Birmingham Iron (2019)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)

On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were reportedly suspended,[2][3] and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams.[4] The league filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 17, 2019.[5]

History

The team was announced as a charter team of the Alliance of American Football on June 4, 2018.[1] The team's first head coach was announced on June 6 as Tim Lewis, his first job at the position.[1][6] On September 20, the league announced four eastern inaugural franchises' names and logos, including Birmingham as the Birmingham Iron.[7] The name is a tribute to the city's iron industry, while the team colors of black, dark grey, and light grey were based on iron ore, coal, and flux, the components used to make steel.[8][9]

The final 52-man roster was set on January 30, 2019.[10] The team's first game was at home against the Memphis Express on February 10, 2019,[11] when the Iron registered their first win and the first shutout in league history.[12]

Minority owner Mark Jennings announced his resignation on March 29. On March 31, the Iron clinched a playoff berth with a win against Atlanta, though the playoffs were never played as the league suspended football operations on April 2. The Iron finished at a 5–3 record.[13]

Personnel

Staff
Birmingham Iron staff
Front office
  • EVP of Football Operations – Trey Brown
  • General manager – Joe Pendry
  • Minority owner – Mark Jennings
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
  • Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks – Steve Logan
  • Running backs – Gerald Brown
  • Wide Receivers – Alex Mortensen
  • Offensive line – Dave Magazu
  
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams coordinator/Tight ends – Ray Rychleski
  • Assistant special teams/Secondary – Martin Bayless

Allocation pool

The team's assigned area, which designated player rights, included the following:[14]

Colleges

 

National Football League (NFL)

 

Canadian Football League (CFL)

Final roster
2019 Birmingham Iron final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists

Rights list


50 Active, 11 Inactive

2019 season
2019 Birmingham Iron season
Head coachTim Lewis
Home fieldLegion Field
Results
Record5–3
League place2nd, Eastern Conference

Final standings
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

Schedule

Preseason
Week Day Date Opponent Results Location
Score Record
–MondayJanuary 28vs Arizona HotshotsL 17–37Alamodome

Regular season

All times Central

Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location
Score Record
1 Sunday February 10 3:00 p.m. CBSSN Memphis Express W 26–0 1–0 Legion Field
2 Saturday February 16 1:00 p.m. TNT Salt Lake Stallions W 12–9 2–0 Legion Field
3 Sunday February 24 3:00 p.m. CBSSN at Atlanta Legends W 28–12 3–0 Georgia State Stadium
4 Sunday March 3 3:00 p.m. CBSSN San Antonio Commanders L 11–12 3–1 Legion Field
5 Saturday March 9 1:00 p.m. TNT Orlando Apollos L 14–31 3–2 Legion Field
6 Sunday March 17 7:00 p.m. NFLN at San Diego Fleet W 32–29 4–2 SDCCU Stadium
7 Sunday March 24 7:00 p.m. NFLN at Memphis Express L 25–31 OT 4–3 Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
8 Sunday March 31 3:00 p.m. CBSSN Atlanta Legends W 17–9 5–3 Legion Field
9 Sunday April 7 7:00 p.m. NFLN at Arizona Hotshots Not played Sun Devil Stadium
10 Sunday April 14 2:30 p.m. CBSSN at Orlando Apollos Spectrum Stadium

Changed from original time and/or network[15]
[16]

Postseason
Round Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance
Score Record
Semi Sunday April 21 at Orlando Apollos Not played Spectrum Stadium  

Game summaries

Week 1: Memphis
Week One: Memphis Express at Birmingham Iron – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Express 0 0 000
Iron 3 6 01726

at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

Game information

The Iron began their season at home against the Express. In the first quarter, the Iron scored when Nick Novak kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it 3–0. They would increase their lead in the second quarter when Novak kicked 28-yard and 47-yard field goals to make it 6–0 and then 9–0 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Iron managed to pull away from the Express after Trent Richardson ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 17–0. This would be followed by Novak's fourth field goal attempt of the day in which he kicked a 32-yarder to make it 20–0. Finally, Richardson ran for his second touchdown of the game from 5 yards out (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the final score 26–0.

With the win (their first as a franchise), the Iron started their season 1–0.

Week 2: Salt Lake
Week Two: Salt Lake Stallions at Birmingham Iron – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Stallions 0 9 009
Iron 0 0 6612

at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

Game information

After a huge shut out win, the Iron stayed home for Week 2 against the Stallions. It was all Stallions in the first half after both teams failed to score in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Stallions made it 6–0 when Joel Bouagnon ran for a 3-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion). They made it 9–0 at halftime when Taylor Bertolet kicked a 53-yard field goal. The Iron managed to get on the board in the third quarter when Shaheed Salmon recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 9–6. In the fourth quarter, the Iron were able to make the comeback as Trent Richardson ran for 3-yard touchdown to make the final score 12–9.

With the win, the Iron improved to 2–0.

Week 3: at Atlanta
Week Three: Birmingham Iron at Atlanta Legends – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Iron 0 9 11828
Legends 0 6 0612

at Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

After the tough home win, the Iron went on the road to face the Legends. After a scoreless first quarter, the Legends scored first when Younghoe Koo kicked a 21-yard field goal to make it 3–0. The Iron tied it up when Nick Novak kicked a 39-yard field goal to make it 3–3. They moved into the lead when Trent Richardson ran for a 5-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 9–3. The Legends however drew closer when Koo kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 9–6 at halftime. After the break, the Iron moved back ahead by 6 when Novak kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 12–6. They would move ahead by double digits when Richardson ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 20–6. In the fourth quarter, the Iron pulled further away when Richardson ran for yet another touchdown to make it 28–6. The Legends wrapped up the scoring of the game when Matt Sims found Montay Crockett on a 23-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the final score 28–12.

With the win, the Iron improved to 3–0.

Week 4: San Antonio
Week Four: San Antonio Commanders at Birmingham Iron – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Commanders 3 0 6312
Iron 0 3 0811

at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

Game information

After a tough road win, the Iron returned home for a game against the Commanders. In the first quarter, the Commanders scored first when Nick Rose kicked a 39-yard field goal to make it 3–0 for the only score. The Iron tied it up in the second quarter when Nick Novak kicked a 33-yard field goal to make it 3–3 at halftime. The Commanders got back into the lead in the third quarter when Trey Williams ran for a 12-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 9–3. They increased their lead in the fourth quarter when Rose kicked a 20-yard field goal to make it 12–3. Later on in the quarter, the Iron came within a point when Trent Richardson ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 12–11. The Iron were able to get the ball back and try to convert a 4th-and-12 but Luis Perez was intercepted ending the game sending the Iron to their first ever loss.

With the loss, the Iron fell to 3–1 and second place in the Eastern Conference.

Week 5: Orlando
Week Five: Orlando Apollos at Birmingham Iron – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Apollos 14 6 3831
Iron 0 8 6014

at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

Game information

After a tough road loss, the Iron stayed home to face the undefeated Apollos. In the first quarter, the Apollos scored first when Garrett Gilbert found Scott Orndorff on a 21-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 6–0. This would be followed by Keith Reaser returning an interception 40 yards to make it 14–0. In the second quarter, Elliott Fry kicked a 21-yard field goal to make it 17–0. The Iron finally got on the board when Trent Richardson ran for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 17–8. Though, the Apollos pulled away at halftime when Fry kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 20–8. In the third quarter, the Iron drew closer when Keith Price found Brandon Ross on a 30-yard touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 20–14. Though, the Apollos made it 23–14 by way of Fry's 27-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Apollos wrapped up the scoring of the game when Gilbert found Jalin Marshall on a 12-yard pass to make the final score 31–14.

With their second straight loss, the Iron fell to 3–2.

Week 6: at San Diego
Week Six: Birmingham Iron at San Diego Fleet – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Iron 6 9 61132
Fleet 3 6 14629

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

After yet another tough loss at home, the Iron traveled west to take on the Fleet. In the first quarter, the Fleet scored first when Donny Hageman kicked a 36-yard field goal to make it 3–0. The Iron took the lead later on in the quarter when Luis Perez found Trent Richardson on a 13-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 6–3. In the second quarter, the Iron increased their lead when Perez found L'Damian Washington on an 83-yard pass (with another failed 2-point conversion) to make it 12–3. The Fleet drew closer when Mike Bercovici found Ben Johnson on a 1-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 12–9. Nick Novak came out to kick a 23-yard field goal to help the Iron to a 15–9 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, the Iron went back ahead by double-digits as Richardson ran for a 2-yard touchdown (with yet another failed 2-point conversion) to make it 21–9. However, the Fleet would score two straight times to retake the lead: Terrell Watson would run for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 21–17, followed up by Bercovici finding Watson on a 12-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 23–21. In the fourth quarter, however, the Iron took the lead back when Perez found Washington again, this time on a 23-yard pass to make it 29–21. Then, the Fleet would tie it up at 29–29, after Bercovici found Francis Owusu on a 13-yard pass. The Iron completed the comeback with no time left in the game as Novak kicked the game-winning 44-yard field goal to make the final score 32–29.

With the win, the Iron improved to 4–2.

Week 7: at Memphis
Week Seven: Birmingham Iron at Memphis Express – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Iron 8 8 36025
Express 0 8 611631

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Game information

After a tough road win, the Iron traveled again to take on the Express. In the first quarter, the Iron scored first when Luiz Perez found Braedon Bowman on an 11-yard pass to make it 8-0. In the second quarter, the Express tied it up when Terrence Magee ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 8-8. Trent Richardson then got the Iron ahead at halftime when he ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 16-8. In the third quarter, the Iron increased their lead when Nick Novak kicked a 28-yard field goal to make it 19-8. Though, the Express drew closer when Terrell Bonds blocked a punt and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 19-14. In the fourth quarter, the Iron moved ahead by double digits again when Perez found Wes Saxton on a 4-yard pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make it 25-14. Though, the Express would score 2 straight times to tie the game up and force overtime when Austin MacGinnis kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 25-17 and then Brandon Silvers found Reece Horn on a 7-yard pass to make it 25-25. In overtime, Silvers found Dan Williams on a 10-yard pass to make it 31-25 for the Express comeback win.

With the loss, the Iron fell to 4-3.

Week 8: Atlanta
Week Eight: Atlanta Legends at Birmingham Iron – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Legends 3 3 309
Iron 0 11 3317

at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

Game information

After a tough loss, the Iron returned home for their final home game of the season against the Legends. Another distraction came when minority owner Mark Jennings announced he had sold his shares in the Iron just three days before the game. In the first quarter, the Legends scored first when Younghoe Koo kicked a 33-yard field goal to make it 3-0. In the second quarter, the Iron tied the game up when Nick Novak kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 3-3. They would take the lead when Trent Richardson ran for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 11-3. Though the legends drew closer when Koo kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 11-6 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Iron pulled away when Novak kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 14-6. Though, the Legends came within 5 again when Koo kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 14-9. In the fourth quarter, the Iron moved back ahead and eventually won by 8 when Novak kicked a 28-yard field goal to make the final score 17-9.

With the win, the Iron were able to seal the second playoff spot and improve to 5-3.

Media

In addition to league-wide television coverage through CBS, NFL Network, CBS Sports Network, TNT, and B/R Live, Birmingham's games were also broadcast on local radio by WERC (AM).[25]

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References
  1. Johnson, Roy S. "Birmingham lands a pro football franchise". al.com. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  2. Kercheval, Ben (April 2, 2019). "AAF operations suspended, league's future in doubt after eight games of first season". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  3. "AAF to immediately suspend operations". ESPN. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  4. 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.
  5. "AAF files for bankruptcy, officially closes down", USA Today, AP, April 17, 2019, retrieved April 17, 2019
  6. Johnson, Roy S. (June 5, 2018). "Long-time NFL defensive coach to be inaugural head coach of Birmingham's AAF team". AL.com. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  7. 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.
  8. Inabinett, Mark (September 20, 2018). "Birmingham's Alliance of American Football team reveals its nickname". The Birmingham News. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  9. Yasin, Kareem (November 27, 2018). "The Alliance of American Football Unveils its Inaugural Uniforms". Alliance of American Football. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  10. "Birmingham Iron sets final roster". Alliance of American Football. January 30, 2019. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  11. "Alliance of American Football schedule released for Arizona Hotshots, other 7 teams". AZ Central. USA Today Network. October 16, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  12. Dudley, Evan. "Birmingham Iron cruises in AAF debut win". al.com. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  13. "AAF operations suspended, future of Alliance in doubt with two weeks left in inaugural regular season". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  14. Inabinett, Mark (July 12, 2018). "Alabama, Auburn players to go on Birmingham AAF team's assignment list". AL.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  15. "TNT to exclusively televise two additional AAF games". AAF.com. March 6, 2019. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  16. "2019 Birmingham Iron Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  17. Filipe, Cameron (February 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 1, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  18. Filipe, Cameron (February 13, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 2, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  19. Filipe, Cameron (February 22, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 3, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  20. Filipe, Cameron (February 27, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 4, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  21. Filipe, Cameron (March 9, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 5, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  22. Filipe, Cameron (March 14, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 6, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  23. Filipe, Cameron (March 21, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 7, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  24. Filipe, Cameron (March 28, 2019). "Alliance of American Football: Week 8, 2019". Football Zebras. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  25. Contes, Brandon (February 7, 2019). "WERC to Serve as Flagship for Birmingham Iron". sportsradiopd.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.

Further reading
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