Soul Win Arena Bowl!

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Soul who defeated the San Jose Sabercats to win their first Arena Bowl Championship today by a score of 59-56.

We didn't watch any of the game and generally feel that interest levels in the AFL are pretty low in the city. But we're happy for Jaws and Bon Jovi who both put a ton of effort into the team which seems like a classy organization. We're certainly happy for the Soul and their fans. As far as Philadelphia sports achievements go this probably ranks somewhere above a Wings lax championship and below St. Joe's making it to the elite eight a few years back. What do you think?

And hey, free Bon Jovi concert, right?

Updated with video highlights below:

And a video of Jon Bon Jovi celebrating here:

Comments

[pilgrim]

Someone tell ESPN that we have our Titletown, USA resume ready.

[michael]

can't wait for the parade.

[jim beam]

lets have a parade we need one

[Benjamin]

What? No one turned on the game when the Phils went into a rain delay?

I swear, they show a replay of the Soul coming up with a defensive stand, and the next second they're showing the extra point from the touchdown they scored right after. There's a whole lotta crazy going on in arena football.

[GreggyD]

My friend's trying to convince me that "WE FINALLY WON A CHIP!!!"

To which I said "One, don't ever call it a "chip" again. And two, call me when someone in a major pro sport wins something and get excited."

I mean, I think it's cool that they won and all, but I group this with the Phantoms, Wings, the now-defunct Kixx, and anything else.

Congrats though Jaws

[MS]

this counts as much as the national title i won in ncaa 09 a couple of days ago.

[Steve Jeltz]

Ummmm last time I checked Bon Jovi was a fucking Giants fan. Get that mullet wearing asshole out of Philly

[splat]

No way this cancels the philly jinx. Congrats Jaws but me personally would rather watch my girlfriend eat the corn out of her shit than watch arena ball.

[TJ]

Why was I the only one driving down broad street honking my horn and waving a soul flag??

[DLo34]

How about a poll:

I would rather go to:

A. Soul Playoff Game

B. Flyers Preseason Game in Trenton

C. Phillies On Deck Series Against Cleveland

D. A tailgate outside of an Eagles preseason game

E. Temple Football Game

It's a tough one but I go with B and that is only because of all the wonderful things there are to do in the beautiful City of Trenton.

[Bryan]

No need to put them down guys. For many this won't count for anything, but for those of us who follow the team tonight our team WON A CHAMPIONSHIP!!

Keep your smug remarks to yourself and let those who care enjoy themselves. Just because none of our "big 4" can bring it home doesn't mean we have to belittle the one who does.

WAY TO GO SOUL....first Philly Championship in my 23 years on this earth.

[J.P.(the drunk)]

Please god don't even give this credit no parade no nothing I mean we can't settle for minor championships

[Phils Phan]

Did the Phantoms ever get parades?

[MPR529]

I'm confused. What's a Soul?

[obie]

Not my thing but congrats to Jaws, the players and their fans. Can't hate on Philly people celebrating a title in any sport.

[jdawg]

a soul is somethinng id sell for a real philadelphia championship

[gootman]

Always good to see a Philly team win. It'd be nice if our other teams followed Jaws' example and went out and got the pieces they need to win it all.

[j13]

"Congrats Jaws but me personally would rather watch my girlfriend eat the corn out of her shit than watch arena ball."

Those are the choices??? We need more options.

[Chris]

Better than a Wings title? Ehhhhh, I don't know about that...

[adam]

i put the game on during the rain delay. first time i ever watched the AFL and let me say, its terrible. the field is soooooo small. on a kickoff they can actually catch the ball of the netting (i guess the netting is part of the uprights?) and start running. i felt like a girl watching sports; i had no idea what was going on.

its still almost 25 years and counting (i was a fetus when the sixers won)

[adam]

i put the game on during the rain delay. first time i ever watched the AFL and let me say, its terrible. the field is soooooo small. on a kickoff they can actually catch the ball of the netting (i guess the netting is part of the uprights?) and start running. i felt like a girl watching sports; i had no idea what was going on.

its still almost 25 years and counting (i was a fetus when the sixers won)

[Benjamin]

I don't understand all the animosity towards the soul who won their leagues championship. Who cares if you don't watch, or don't care, but at least give credit to them for doing it. I don't watch, and don't really care, but it's cool and kudos to them.

At least, refrain from comparing them to watching your girlfriend eating the corn out of her own crap. That's just disgusting. Seriously. You know you'd never get that image from your mind if it happened, and would wish you watched arena league football if you did. There's being witty, and there's being a jackass.

[J.P.(the drunk)]

There is no animosity but this is bullshit if people get complacent with this title. I mean it's like a handjob it's nice but not what I wanted.

[DCGreg]

Nice way to belittle a team who just won a title. And people wonder why we Philly fans get a bad knock.

I watched the conf championship (that play the dude jumped over the kicker), but caught none of this.

Congrats, but not exactly parade-worthy.

[MPR529]

Oh, I think get it now, it's like a sporting team? I heard the name Bon Jovi tossed around so I figured that surely this didn't really belong on the 700level. But now I get it. Thanks, guys! Go team go!

[Dave]

This does not end the curse. The Phantoms, Wings and Kixx did not end the curse, so the Soul do not. However, they are probably the biggest team out of the four b/c their games are broadcasted on ESPN and National TV, while the rest are not. The Soul deserve a rally in the Wachovia Center parking lot for their fans.

[Mike L.]

Why doesnt anyone watch the AFL. Its the same football on a small field and our team actually kicks ass. Im not a huge fan i was just wondering what peoples issues with it are?

[Jonn]

Issue #1: the NFL has the most talent

Issue #2: We know who the players are in the NFL.

Issue #3: We watch NCAA players go from college to pro.

Issue #4: Tradition.

I could go on. I don't consider this ending the drought of championships in Philly, but it's nice to see that, even in the little pro sports, Philly won something.

[ben]

i tend to watch their games when they are on. I dont plan my days around trying to see them like i might with and eagles game, but its nice to see them win it all in only their 5th season. Its also nice to see some philly owners spend the money it takes to win a championship. I agree with Dave that this is not a major championship but it is better than the Phantoms, wings, and Kixx. The game can be fun to watch if you understand the rules and its a nice fix during the NFL offseason. Congrats Soul.

[john]

no one is saying that this ends the curse so i don't understand why most of you have your panties all bunched up. go listen to WIP or something and leave the internet to the big boys.

congratulations soul, at least one football team in this town can actually get it done.

[benjamin]

Anyone who attempts to compare this to the 4 major philly sports teams is a fool. Stop the insanity.

Hold it on the level due to the AFL, and respect it for what it is. Nothing more, nothing less.

At least don't disrespect a team that didn't win just to appease the sad state of some fans in this town.

[Hummer]

sure it may not 'count', but this is the first philly championship in my 16 years on earth (not counting the Phantoms), so me likely.

Plus free bon jovi concert=win

[Bryan]

Haters brace yourselves.....parade is already scheduled for Thursday

[deanyoungblood]

Just got back from Vegas, where I placed a large wager on Bon Jovi's boys. They were giving four points. I didn't know it was possible to go from quite happy to superf***ingpissed in just 11 seconds of Arena Football time. Enjoy showing off your rings when you're flipping burgers in the offseason, fellas. On behalf of myself and the greater gambling community, I'd like to invite the whole AFL to suck it.

[TJ]

You placed a bet on the AFL? You degenerate….

[Jonn]

Lol, seriously, you deserve to lose that money.

[MPR529]

Ha! @ deanyoungblood

[Teddy Taggert]

stick a pole up William Penn's ass... and run it higher than anything in the entire city...

see how Mr. Curse likes that.

[Gaze]

I actually found it to be an entertaining game...

With the Phillies in rain delay, the Nascar race a total disaster, and Law and Order SVU marathons getting a little tired... it was the best option on TV. A parade, no. But a nice pep rally in the Wachovia parking lot is due!

[Dan]

Congrats to the Soul, but this does not end the 25 year drought. Parades should be reserved for the 4 major teams. This ranks there with the Phantoms, who did not have any parades. I was 1 when the Sixers won, and consider myself to have never seen a true Philly Major Championship, and still do.