Before kickoff, prepare to cheer as the Thunderbolts face off against the Destroyers in tonight's thrilling matchup of giants!

With the imminent return of Spring football to central Ohio courtesy of the United Football League and our expansion team, the Columbus Aviators , it is a good time to remember the often-forgotten, former professional football team here, the Columbus Thunderbolts. The Columbus Thunderbolts were established in March 1991 as an expansion team in the Arena Football League (AFL). Dave Whinham, the team's general manager and coach, was quoted at the time that the team’s name was chosen because, "We all could agree on Thunderbolts, it represents a forceful team to be reckoned with.

" Training camp was held at Ohio Wesleyan University with several former Big Ten football players participating, including Byron Lee of Ohio State who was one of the few training camp hopefuls to earn a spot on the final 18-man roster. The first game was held on June 1, 1991, at home in the Fairgrounds Coliseum, a difficult 33-12 loss to the Dallas Texans. Within a week of playing their first game the team’s owners attempted to sell public stock.

The effort failed, highlighting their initial struggles to gain solid local support – and a sign of things to come for the franchise. Despite their collective efforts, the team lost all 10 of their games in their inaugural season, becoming the second team in AFL history to have a winless season. After the second early season loss, the team signed former West Virginia University quarterback Major Harris.

Harris was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist in college, and bolstered the nascent team’s roster immediately. Harris soon became the team leader for the Thunderbolts during his time in Columbus. He was known for his rushing ability, a rarity in the pass-heavy AFL at the time.