Phoenix Thunder History

      In the Spring of 1986, the first firefighter joined the "Phoenix Thunderbirds".  At this time the team was mostly composed of Police Officers from around the valley as were the teams they played.  Most of the teams at that time were in California. Over the next two years they played 3-4 games.  The "Phoenix Thunderbirds" were undefeated over that two year period.  This included 2 victories over LAPD. In the Spring of 1987, several other firefighters were recruited to play on the team.

      In 1988, the Phoenix Fire Department took over all operations of the team.  This included scheduling and all administrative functions.  A sub-committee was formed and consisted of representatives from the Phoenix Fire Department, Phoenix Police Department, Glendale Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, and the Department of Corrections.  By a unanimous vote the name was changed from the "Thunderbirds" to the "Phoenix Rangers".  The Phoenix Fire Department remained as the main agency as it is today.  The main reason for the name change was because of the civic group the Thunderbirds Charities. In 1989, The "Phoenix Rangers" consisted of mainly firefighters (90%).

      During the 1989 season, with support from the Phoenix Fire Department administration,  the "Phoenix Rangers" had become a well respected club and many teams in the nation were willing to travel to Phoenix .  Our goal for the following season was to be able to play the FDNY.  

      From 1991 - 1993, the Phoenix Rangers committed to play FDNY. For the next three seasons, many great relationships were formed through these seasons that still remain today. At the end of the 1994 season the Phoenix Rangers organization came to an end.  

      The inaugural season for the "Phoenix Thunder" was in 2002. The 2003 season consisted of one game held at Horizon High School against the FDNY.  The Phoenix Thunder beat the FDNY that year, a year in which the FDNY went on to win the NPSFL National Championship.  

      The 2004 season, was the first year that the "Phoenix Thunder" played a 4 game schedule in the NPSFL.  The "Thunder" went undefeated that year.  The teams they played that year were LAPD, Southern California , Phoenix Talons, and New York Sanitation.  They went on to play New York PD in the National Championship game, losing in overtime

    In 2005, the Thunder went 3 - 1, losing only to the NYPD. But, in 2006, the Thunder went undefeated once again, facing the FDNY in the National Championship game. The Phoenix Thunder won that game 31 - 26 to take the National Public Safety Football League National Crown for 2006.