jeremy m. lange

+ projects: - semi-pro: working man's football

Semi profootball is often referred to as "the red headed stepchild of sports".

None of the players are paid and they actually pay dues to make the games possible, covering all the expenses for travel, uniforms and field equipment.All the players have full time jobs, but many see the league as their last chance at a possible career in football.

The Triangle Rattlers, a semi pro football team based in Durham, North Carolina, were heavily favored to make the playoffs in the 2008 season.After losing 3 early games to inferior teams, the Rattlers rallied late in the season, even under the pressure of internal conflict and coaching changes.

Although they won most of the galmes in the last half of the season, the Rattlers missed the playoffs by one game.

Barry Marrow, center, quarterback and owner of the semi-pro football team, the Triangle Rattlers.
   
Players warm up before the game.
   
Guillermo Ayala, Jr., quarterback for the Rattlers, warms up beofre the game. Ayala subbed for owner and starter Barry Morrow and there was some conflict as the other players complained about Morrow's performance.
     
  
An overview of the Durham County Stadium, the Rattlers home field. The stadum is rented by the teams for the games, with no league support.
   
  
The Rattlers prepare to take the field.
     
  
The Rattlers cheerleaders, many of whom are the spouses and girlfriends of the players, try and get the sparse crowd riled up.
   
Coach Holmes talks to his offensive line before the opening game, which the Rattlers lost to a last second field goal.
   
Barry Marrow, the owner and quarterback of the Rattlers rallies his team after their first win of the regular season.
     
  
In the locker room. The players must pay for their own pads and this caused several palyers to drop off the team before the season started.
   
The team is required to have an off duty sheriff at every game for security. The scheduled officer did not show up, so the attendant, left, almost had the game shut down. Owner and quarterback, Barry Marrow, right, tries to get another sheriff to cover for his colleague so that the game can continue.
   
The Rattlers played the Monroe Mustangs, earning their first regular season victory, after 2 last minute losses to late game field goals. The final score was 34 to 8, with the Rattlers hoping to continue the wins and get to the playoffs.
     
  
In the locker room.With little or no league support, the team is responsible for buying all the equipment for the officials. Most of the money comes from the dues payed by the players.
   
The Rattlers beat the High Point Ravens in a game marred by offensive mistakes and unnecessary penalties. The assistant coach, left, heavily criticized his players for their sloppy play, taking some punch out of the needed victory.
   
The waterboy, son of owner Barry Morrow, amuses himself on the sideline. The Rattlers would have some late season wins after their bad 1st few games, but it was not enough to get them to the playoffs.
     
  
Even with some late season victories, the favored Rattlers were unable to get enough victories to make the playoffs.