Chicago Slaughter kick off indoor football season Feb. 27

By Doug Halberstadt
Sports Columnist

In case you haven’t heard by now, there will be no indoor football at the Rockford MetroCentre during the 2010 season. The team formerly known as the Rock River Raptors has made the decision to cease operations.

According to majority owner Bob Lowe, the team will take a one-year furlough and plans to return to the turf in 2011. Lowe stresses that the Raptors are not shutting down for good. “This is only one year,” he said. “We are not shutting down.”

So, for those of you who may be going through indoor football withdrawal, I have some good news. The Chicago Slaughter Professional Indoor Football team kicks off their 2010 season with a home game this Saturday, Feb. 27, against the Rochester (N.Y.) Raiders at 7 p.m. The team plays all of their home games at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

The Slaughter went undefeated last season (14-0) under the guidance of head coach and 1985 Super Bowl Chicago Bears star Steve “Mongo” McMichael. They captured their first CIFL Championship trophy in 2009, capping off a truly historic season.

This season, the team will play in the Indoor Football League. The IFL is composed of 26 teams spanning from Richmond, Va., to Wasilla, Ark., after nine new expansion teams (including the Slaughter) joined the league going into the 2010 season.

In addition to having McMichael as their head coach, the Slaughter also just announced Jim McMahon, quarterback of the 1985 Super Bowl Chicago Bears, is a new team owner heading into this season. Jarrett Payton, son of legendary Chicago Bears great Walter Payton, was announced last month as the team’s new running back.

“I’ve been a winner throughout my football career, and I plan on continuing that success with the Chicago Slaughter,” said McMahon. “I am excited to join my friend and former teammate Coach McMichael and Jarrett Payton in bringing another football championship back to Chicago.”

McMichael said: “The Chicago Slaughter is attracting the best and brightest because people want to be with a winner. Chicago football fans have another opportunity to see a McMahon, McMichael and Payton triple-threat in action. Get to the Sears Centre early on the 27th and have those cameras ready, folks…you are not going to want to miss this.”

Fans may purchase tickets by calling the Slaughter office at (847) 310-3190 or visiting the team’s Web site at www.chicagoslaughter.com.

Doug Halberstadt can be reached via e-mail at Dougster61@aol.com.

From the Feb. 24-Mar. 2, 2010 issue