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Washington Commandos

The Washington Commandos were a professional team based in the , operating as one of the four inaugural franchises in the () during the league's formative years from 1987 to 1990. Founded in 1987, the team played its home games primarily at the Capital Centre in , and later at other local venues like the Patriot Center in . The Commandos hold the distinction of participating in the AFL's first-ever regular-season game on June 19, 1987, a narrow 48–46 loss to the Pittsburgh Gladiators attended by 12,117 fans at the Civic Arena in . Over their brief existence, the Commandos compiled a record of 4–14, with no playoff appearances. In their debut 1987 season, they finished 2–4, highlighted by a home victory over the (36–20) that drew 13,507 spectators at the Capital Centre. The team sat out the 1988 season before returning in 1989 as the rebranded Maryland Commandos, playing a shortened four-game schedule at the Capital Centre and Baltimore Arena, where they went winless at 0–4. Reverting to the Washington Commandos name for 1990, they played at the Patriot Center and posted a 2–6 record, including a season-opening 16–12 loss to the Albany Firebirds; former Washington Redskins wide receiver joined the roster that year, catching 11 passes for two touchdowns in limited action. The folded after the 1990 season due to ongoing financial and performance struggles, marking the end of in the D.C. area until later unrelated revivals.

Franchise background

Formation and league affiliation

The Washington Commandos were established in 1987 as one of the four inaugural franchises of the (AFL), a pioneering indoor variant of created by former and USFL executive Jim Foster. Foster conceived the idea in 1981 while watching an indoor soccer game and refined it through a 1986 test match before patenting the game's rules in 1990. He founded the league to fill the offseason void for football fans by adapting the sport to arena settings with a 50-yard field, rebounding nets, and continuous action. The original teams included the Commandos, , Dynamite, and Pittsburgh Gladiators, marking the AFL's launch as a centralized professional venture aimed at complementing rather than competing with the . Initially, all four franchises operated under the direct ownership and control of Arena Sports Ventures Unlimited, Foster's company that managed league operations, team finances, and player contracts to ensure uniformity and stability in the league's formative year. This structure allowed for rapid setup and resource sharing, with salaries set centrally and players signing agreements with the parent entity rather than individual teams. The Commandos were based in , at the Capital Centre arena, yet named "Washington" to draw from the larger metropolitan market and capitalize on regional interest. The team played a pivotal role in the AFL's debut by participating in the league's first regular-season contest on June 19, 1987, traveling to face the Gladiators at the Civic Arena. In a thrilling, high-octane opener that showcased the format's emphasis on passing and scoring, the Commandos fell 46–48 ( 48, 46) before a crowd of 12,117, setting the tone for the league's fast-paced style. This game, attended at nearly 80% of the venue's capacity, highlighted the AFL's potential for exciting, spectator-friendly entertainment under Foster's vision.

Ownership and team identity

The Washington Commandos were initially owned in 1987 by Arena Sports Ventures Unlimited, a company founded by commissioner Jim Foster that centrally controlled all four inaugural teams in the league's debut season. This centralized structure was intended to stabilize the fledgling league but limited opportunities for local investment. In its early years, the Commandos lacked independent local ownership, operating instead under league licensing to temporary operators, which exacerbated financial instability and contributed to the team's eventual folding. The absence of a committed regional ownership group meant the team relied heavily on league support, with reports indicating potential operations without a dedicated owner as early as 1987. By 1990, the team shifted to local owner-operator Jim Kiles. The team's colors—red, blue, and white—were selected to reflect military and patriotic motifs, aligning with the "Commandos" moniker inspired by elite special forces. These hues appeared in uniforms and branding, evoking national symbolism without direct ties to existing Washington-area sports franchises. The Commandos' logo featured a red "C" with a blue star on a blue shield, accompanied by script lettering above, in a simple design that emphasized the team's identity. Details on an official mascot remain undocumented in available historical records, with no references to a costumed character or promotional figure during the team's active years. The did not pursue or secure major corporate sponsorships, focusing instead on basic operations. The only notable branding adjustment was a temporary shift to " Commandos" in 1989 amid relocation efforts, before reverting to the original name in 1990.

Historical timeline

1987 inaugural season

The Washington Commandos launched their inaugural season in as one of the four teams in the newly formed , playing a condensed six-game schedule over seven weeks from June 19 to July 23. Under head coach Bob Harrison, the team compiled a 2-4 record, finishing tied for third in the league's single division with the behind the Denver Dynamite and Pittsburgh Gladiators, both at 4-2. The Commandos operated under the AFL's central ownership model managed by founder Jim Foster's Arena Sports Ventures Unlimited, which handled logistics for all franchises in this experimental phase. The season kicked off with the distinction of playing in the league's first-ever regular-season game on June 19 at 's Civic Arena as the visiting team, where the Commandos fell 48-46 to the Gladiators in a thriller that showcased arena football's fast-paced, high-contact style before 12,117 spectators. Washington rebounded in their home opener on June 27 at the Capital Centre, securing a 36-20 victory over the Dynamite in front of 13,587 fans, marking the team's first win and demonstrating offensive efficiency in a relatively low-scoring affair by standards. However, the Commandos dropped the next three contests: a 73-57 road loss to on July 3, a 37-36 defeat at the on July 10, and a 64-61 heartbreaker against on July 16 at home, where defensive lapses allowed opponents to erase late leads. The campaign concluded positively on July 23 with a 52-31 home win over , clinching the .333 winning percentage. All three home games at the Capital Centre drew solid but not capacity crowds, averaging 11,525 attendees across the 13,587 for the win, 10,122 versus , and 10,866 in the finale against —reflecting measured interest in the unproven league format. The Commandos grappled with adjustment to arena football's distinctive rules, including the mandate for man-to-man defenses that prohibited zone coverage, which hampered strategic flexibility and contributed to defensive vulnerabilities in several high-scoring losses where opponents tallied 37 or more points. While some contests like the home opener produced lower totals (56 combined points), others escalated into shootouts exceeding 100 points, underscoring the format's volatility; the league's novelty as a indoor further tempered fan enthusiasm, as evidenced by attendance below the venue's 19,035 capacity. Harrison's inaugural 2-4 tenure laid foundational experience for the team, though they missed the in the two-team postseason.

1989 season and Maryland relocation

Following a suspension from the () in 1988 due to financial difficulties and a lack of local ownership amid league-wide instability, the franchise returned for the 1989 season under the name Maryland Commandos to better align with its home venue at the Capital Centre in . This rebranding aimed to draw more support from nearby audiences, as the Washington, D.C., market had proven challenging for fan engagement and sponsorship in the young league. The shortened season featured only five teams, with the Commandos scheduled for a four-game slate, including one true home game and two neutral-site contests. Under head coach Ray Willsey, the Maryland Commandos endured a winless campaign, finishing with a 0-4 record and placing fifth in the league standings. The team opened with a narrow 20-15 defeat to the Denver Dynamite on the road, followed by lopsided losses: 39-7 to the Detroit Drive at a neutral site in , 61-27 to the at another neutral venue in , and 50-30 to the Pittsburgh Gladiators in their lone home appearance at the Capital Centre. Willsey's squad struggled particularly on defense, surrendering 170 points across the four games—an average of 42.5 points per contest—highlighting ongoing challenges in containing high-scoring offenses. Attendance reflected waning interest, with a total of 14,945 fans across their three home and neutral-site games, averaging 4,981 per outing (the road game drew 6,435). This marked a sharp decline from the 1987 inaugural season's average of 11,525 attendees over three home games, underscoring the difficulties in sustaining momentum for the franchise amid the league's expansion struggles and regional competition from established sports teams.

1990 season, Virginia return, and folding

Following the 1989 season in , the franchise relocated once more to , for , reverting to its original "Washington Commandos" name while playing home games at the Patriot Center on the campus. This move to a smaller venue was driven by cost considerations compared to previous arenas. Under Mike Hohensee, who was promoted from an assistant role and guided the team through its final campaign, the Commandos compiled a 2-6 regular-season record, finishing sixth in the eight-team league. The season featured victories against the Albany Firebirds (50-19 at home) and Denver Dynamite (33-26 on the road), providing highlights amid a string of defeats. However, the losses were often high-scoring affairs, including 52-28 to the Detroit Drive, 55-32 at the Pittsburgh Gladiators, 49-38 to the Dallas Texans, 30-23 in overtime to Pittsburgh, and 37-28 at Dallas, underscoring persistent defensive vulnerabilities that allowed an average of over 36 points per game. Offensively, Hohensee's tenure showed some progress, with the team generating 21 passing touchdowns on 1,611 yards through the air—improvements over the prior year's struggles—led by Mike Rhodes (1,229 yards, 13 TDs) and Chris Armstrong (592 yards, 9 TDs). Defensively, the unit recorded 13 interceptions and 10 sacks but faltered in containing opponents' attacks, contributing to the overall mediocrity. Home attendance averaged just 3,347 across four games, reflecting limited fan interest. The Commandos folded immediately after the season, ending operations with a cumulative three-year record of 4-14 across their various incarnations. Persistent financial losses, exacerbated by low and venue costs, combined with instability and broader challenges, led to the franchise's suspension and dissolution by 1991. Key final roster members included Mike Rhodes, / Chris Armstrong, and offensive/ Chuck Harris, who earned Second Team All-Arena honors.

Home venues

Capital Centre

The Capital Centre was an indoor arena located in Landover, Maryland, a suburb east of Washington, D.C., serving as the primary home venue for the Washington Commandos during their 1987 inaugural season and for the Maryland Commandos in 1989. Opened in 1973, the venue featured a seating capacity of approximately 18,000 for standard events, but for arena football, it was reconfigured by utilizing the lower bowl and floor area around the league's 85-by-50-foot playing field, complete with dasher boards and rebound nets to contain the action. The Capital Centre hosted all three of the Commandos' 1987 home games, including their first victory against the Denver Dynamite on June 27 (36-20) and subsequent matchups against the and Gladiators. In 1989, during the team's brief relocation to , the venue accommodated one of their two home games, a season-ending loss to the Gladiators on August 5 (30–50), while the other was held at the Arena. These adaptations allowed the full spectacle of , including elevated end zones and limited substitutions, to unfold within the arena's confines. The 1987 games at the Capital Centre generated initial excitement among local fans, drawing crowds that reflected the novelty of the fledgling , with attendance reaching 13,507 for the debut home win and averaging over 11,000 across the season. By 1989, however, interest had waned amid the team's winless performance and the league's challenges, contributing to lower turnout in the Washington-area suburbs despite the venue's proximity to the capital. The Capital Centre's role underscored its place as an early host for events, helping to introduce the fast-paced indoor variant to East Coast audiences during the sport's formative years. The arena closed in 1999 and was demolished by implosion on December 15, 2002, making way for commercial development and ending its legacy as a multi-sport facility that had previously housed the NBA's Washington Bullets and NHL's .

Patriot Center

The Patriot Center, located in , on the campus of , served as the home venue for the Washington Commandos during their final season in 1990. This 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena was configured to accommodate , hosting all four of the team's home games that year. The selection of the Patriot Center aimed to reconnect with the team's original Washington identity and draw from the fanbase, which was geographically closer to the of Columbia than the previous Maryland location. The 1990 relocation to this venue marked the Commandos' return to following their rebranding and play as the Maryland Commandos in 1989. However, the smaller scale of the Patriot Center compared to larger regional arenas presented challenges for the struggling franchise, resulting in consistently low attendance figures averaging around 3,350 per game—well under half the venue's capacity. Total home attendance for the season was 13,387 across the four contests, reflecting limited in the competitive Washington-area sports landscape. In 2016, the arena was renamed as part of a naming rights agreement between and EagleBank. Since the Commandos' departure at the end of , it has not hosted teams, primarily serving university athletics and entertainment events.

Personnel

Head coaches

The Washington Commandos employed three head coaches during their brief existence in the (), each navigating unique challenges amid the league's nascent stage and the franchise's operational instability. Bob Harrison led the inaugural 1987 team, followed by Ray Willsey in the abbreviated 1989 season after a two-year hiatus, and Mike Hohensee in 1990, the final year before the team's folding. This succession reflected broader difficulties in maintaining consistent leadership, contributing to the Commandos' overall 4-14 record across three seasons. Bob Harrison served as the Commandos' first head coach in 1987, guiding the expansion team to a 2-4 record in the AFL's debut season. A former assistant with experience as the ' receivers coach from 1983 to 1986, Harrison brought a background that included stints, such as at the . His appointment marked him as the second Black in professional football history. Harrison emphasized adapting to arena football's "wide-open, new and exciting" style, focusing on innovative tactics suited to the indoor format's high-scoring, fast-paced nature. Ray Willsey took over as for the 1989 season, when the franchise temporarily relocated to and played a shortened "travelin'" schedule of four games, finishing 0-4. A defensive specialist with prior roles as for the St. Louis Cardinals (1978-1981) and assistant coach for the Oakland and , Willsey's expertise in traditional outdoor schemes struggled to translate to arena football's offensive emphasis. His tenure was criticized for strategic mismatches, particularly in establishing a running game in a league where passing dominated, leading to the winless campaign. Mike Hohensee coached the Commandos in their 1990 return to Virginia, compiling a 2-6 record in the league's eight-team expansion. As a and former who had appeared in AFL games earlier, Hohensee overlapped roles on the field and sidelines, later earning induction into the AFL Hall of Fame in for his broader contributions to the sport. His leadership centered on an offensive revamp, leveraging his quarterback background to implement passing-heavy strategies amid roster turnover. Hohensee's dual involvement highlighted the franchise's resource constraints but could not overcome the mounting financial and competitive pressures. The rapid turnover among head coaches—spanning three individuals in just three active seasons—underscored the Commandos' instability, exacerbated by ownership changes, relocations, and the AFL's experimental early years, ultimately hastening the team's demise after 1990.

Notable players

The Washington Commandos featured several standout players during their brief existence in the , particularly in their inaugural season, where offensive talents drove much of the team's early recognition despite a 2-4 record. Rich Ingold led the passing attack with 1,726 yards and 29 touchdowns, establishing himself as a key figure in the league's formative years. Wide receiver and Dwayne Dixon emerged as a dual-threat star, recording 68 receptions for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns while earning First Team All-Arena honors for his contributions on both sides of the ball. Lineman Jon Roehlk anchored the offensive and defensive lines as an offensive/defensive lineman, securing First Team All-Arena selection in for his versatility and impact in the trenches, which helped stabilize a young franchise amid challenging expansion conditions. Fullback/linebacker Walter Holman added depth with Second Team All-Arena recognition, contributing on the ground and in coverage during the team's debut campaign. These selections highlighted the Commandos' ability to attract skilled athletes capable of adapting to the AFL's fast-paced, indoor format, even as the team struggled with consistency. In the abbreviated 1989 season as the Maryland Commandos, the roster lacked prominent individual performers amid a 0-4 record and limited play, with no All-Arena honors or standout statistical outputs recorded due to the travel-heavy schedule and roster instability. The 1990 return to the Washington identity under a 2-6 finish showcased renewed talent, particularly quarterback Mike Rhodes, who threw for 1,229 yards and 13 touchdowns as the primary passer. Wide receiver/defensive back Chris Armstrong led receivers with 37 catches for 592 yards and 9 touchdowns, earning Second Team All-Arena honors for his explosive playmaking. Defensive standouts included offensive/defensive Chuck Harris, who garnered Second Team All-Arena recognition for his disruptive presence along the line, while /linebacker Jeff Blankenship topped rushers with 84 yards on 21 carries. Overall, these players exemplified the raw potential of early rosters, bringing professional-level athleticism and innovation to despite the Commandos' sub-.500 records across all three seasons, which often masked their role in popularizing the in the area.

Legacy and impact

Contributions to early AFL

The Washington Commandos played a pivotal role in the (AFL) launch as one of its four original franchises, debuting in the inaugural 1987 season and participating in the league's first regular-season game against the Pittsburgh Gladiators on June 19, 1987. This participation helped establish and validate the unique arena football format, characterized by a smaller field, rebound nets, and high-scoring action, drawing national attention through broadcasts and average attendance of over 11,000 per home game despite the team's 2-4 record that year. Over their brief existence, the Commandos compiled an overall 4-14 record across three played seasons (1987, 1989, and 1990), yet their competitive efforts in closely contested matches contributed to the league's early growth by demonstrating the format's entertainment value to fans and broadcasters. The Commandos' roster and staff featured several individuals who later earned induction into the Arena Football Hall of Fame, reflecting the caliber of talent that bolstered the 's foundations. and Dwayne Dixon, a key performer in the 1987 season, was part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1998, recognized for his contributions including leading the league in scoring and receptions during his early years. Offensive and defensive lineman Jon Roehlk, who anchored the line in 1987 before winning multiple titles elsewhere, joined the Hall in 1999 as a member of the second induction class. Coaches Mike Dailey (defensive line coach, 1989–1990) and Mike Hohensee ( in 1989 and in 1990) were both inducted in 2012, honored for their foundational roles in player development and strategic innovations that shaped the league's coaching standards. The Commandos' operational history exemplified early relocation challenges within the AFL, influencing the league's expansion strategies by underscoring the need for stable local ownership. After the 1987 season, the franchise suspended operations in 1988 due to the inability to secure committed local investors, leading the league to temporarily assume control. It returned in 1989 as the Maryland Commandos, playing a partial schedule at venues in the Washington area and Baltimore, before reverting to the Washington name and relocating to the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia, for 1990. These shifts highlighted logistical and market viability issues for nascent franchises, prompting the AFL to implement stricter criteria for ownership commitments and territorial stability in subsequent expansions to prevent similar disruptions. Financially, the Commandos' brief tenure illuminated sustainability hurdles for the AFL's pioneer teams, as low attendance in later seasons (averaging under 4,000 in 1990) and ongoing ownership voids culminated in the franchise's after a 2-6 finish that year. This early collapse, one of several among original franchises, emphasized the challenges of building fan bases and securing revenue in unproven markets, informing the league's evolution toward diversified income streams, corporate partnerships, and more rigorous financial vetting for new teams to ensure longevity.

Later AFL presence in the Washington area

Following the folding of the Washington Commandos in 1990, the Washington area experienced a prolonged absence of (AFL) franchises, leaving a gap in indoor football entertainment that echoed the original team's struggles with market viability. In 1999, , the newly acquired owner of the NFL's , was awarded expansion rights for an AFL team in the District of Columbia, with initial interest in placing the franchise at the MCI Center (now ). However, despite the AFL's focus on Snyder and Capitals owner as potential owners, the expansion effort stalled and did not materialize into an active team, highlighting ongoing challenges in establishing a stable AFL presence in the competitive Washington sports market. Efforts to revive AFL football in the region gained traction nearly two decades later with the launch of the as an expansion franchise in 2017, marking the first top-tier team in the area since the Commandos. Owned by a group including Monumental , the Valor played their home games at , drawing on the venue's modern facilities to attract local fans and positioning the team as a to the Commandos' legacy in the nation's capital. The Valor achieved notable success in their brief existence, winning XXXI in 2018 with a 69–55 victory over the despite a 2–10 regular-season record—the second such feat in history. However, the team's run ended abruptly when the suspended operations in October 2019 amid financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy shortly thereafter, leaving the Valor inactive and once again vacating the Washington market. In the intervening years and lower tiers, the Washington area saw limited indoor football activity through minor leagues, though none directly succeeded the Commandos or Valor. The developmental af2 league, active from 2000 to 2009, did not establish a franchise in the District, focusing instead on smaller markets elsewhere. Other indoor leagues filled some voids sporadically, such as the D.C. Armor, which competed in the American Indoor Football Association from 2009 to 2012 at RFK Stadium before folding due to financial issues, but these efforts remained short-lived and outside the AFL structure. As of 2025, no active AFL or major indoor football team operates in the Washington region, with the historical gap in arena football largely overshadowed by the NFL's Washington Commanders, who adopted their current name in 2022—a moniker evoking similarities to the long-defunct Commandos.

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