View source for Philadelphia Soul

{{short description|Arena football team}}
{{About|the arena football team|the music genre|Philadelphia soul|the unrelated 2024 team|Philadelphia Soul (2024)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox indoor American football team
| name = Philadelphia Soul
| current = 
| logo = Philadelphia Soul.png
| founded = 2004
| folded = 2019
| city = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| misc = [http://www.philadelphiasoul.com PhiladelphiaSoul.com]
| uniform = 
| colors = Light blue, gray, white, black<br />{{Color box|#09C}} {{Color box|#423732}} {{Color box|white}} {{Color box|black}}
| coach = [[Clint Dolezel]]
| owner = Trifecta Sports and Entertainment
| chairman = 
| president = 
| general manager = [[Beau Bell (American football)|Beau Bell]]
| mascot = Soul Man
| nicknames = 
| league = 
'''[[Arena Football League]] ({{AFL Year|2004}}–{{AFL Year|2019}})'''
*National Conference (2004–2008)
*American Conference (2011–2016)
**[[East Division (AFL)|East Division]] (2004–2008, 2011–2015)
| team_history =
* '''Philadelphia Soul (2004–2019)'''
| no_league_champs = 3
| no_conf_champs = 4
| no_div_champs = 4
| league_champs = 
* [[ArenaBowl XXII|2008]], [[ArenaBowl XXIX|2016]], [[ArenaBowl XXX|2017]]
| conf_champs = 
* {{AFL Year|2008}}, {{AFL Year|2012}}, {{AFL Year|2013}}, {{AFL Year|2016}}
| div_champs = 
*'''East:''' {{AFL Year|2008}}, {{AFL Year|2012}}, {{AFL Year|2013}}, {{AFL Year|2015}}
| playoff_appearances = {{AFL Year|2006}}, {{AFL Year|2007}}, {{AFL Year|2008}}, {{AFL Year|2012}}, {{AFL Year|2013}}, {{AFL Year|2014}}, {{AFL Year|2015}}, {{AFL Year|2016}}, {{AFL Year|2017}}, {{AFL Year|2018}}, {{AFL Year|2019}}
| no_playoff_appearances = 11
| arena_years = 
*[[Spectrum (arena)|Spectrum]] (part-time, 2004–2008)
*[[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] (2004–2008, 2011–2019)
*[[Boardwalk Hall]] (Atlantic City, one game, 2015)
*[[PPL Center]] (Allentown, Pennsylvania, late season 2016)
}}

The '''Philadelphia Soul''' was a professional [[arena football]] team based in [[Philadelphia]] that competed in the [[Arena Football League]] (AFL). The Soul made five [[ArenaBowl]] appearances, winning their first appearance ([[ArenaBowl XXII|2008]] against the [[San Jose SaberCats]]) and losing their next two appearances ([[ArenaBowl XXV|2012]] and [[ArenaBowl XXVI|2013]] both to the [[Arizona Rattlers]]). The Soul won in their fourth appearance, against the Rattlers in [[ArenaBowl XXIX|2016]], winning 56–42. They also won in their fifth appearance in [[ArenaBowl XXX|2017]] against the [[Tampa Bay Storm]], winning 44–40.

The club was established in 2004 when a group, led by [[Jon Bon Jovi]], secured the rights to an AFL franchise in Philadelphia. The AFL folded before the proposed 2009 season was to begin, but was purchased and revived in 2010. After two seasons of inactivity in 2009 and 2010, the Soul returned in 2011 headed by [[Ron Jaworski]].

Following the 2019 season, the AFL ceased operations again.

==History==

===Jon Bon Jovi era (2004–2008)===
The team was owned by co-majority owners [[Jon Bon Jovi]] and Craig Spencer along with minority owners [[Richie Sambora]], [[Ron Jaworski|Ron "Jaws" Jaworski]] (former QB of the [[NFL]]'s [[Philadelphia Eagles]]) and Leo Carlin, Jr. The Soul began play in February [[2004 Philadelphia Soul season|2004]], and played its home games at the [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] (then known as the Wachovia Center), home of the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] of the [[National Hockey League|NHL]] and the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]. When there was a scheduling conflict with the NBA or NHL, games were played at the now-demolished [[The Spectrum (Philadelphia)|Wachovia Spectrum]]&mdash;the former home of the Flyers, 76ers, [[Philadelphia Phantoms]] AHL hockey team and the [[Philadelphia KiXX]] MISL soccer franchise. The Soul played in the Eastern Division of the National Conference of the AFL. The name "Soul" referred to the [[Philadelphia soul]] music genre, a play on Bon Jovi's career as a musician (Bon Jovi's style of pop rock, however, bore no resemblance to the genre of music known as Philadelphia soul). The official mascot of the Soul was the [[Blues Brothers|Blues Brother]]-like "Soul Man".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philadelphiasoul.com/index.cfm?go=team&show=mascot |title=SoulMan |publisher=Philadelphia Soul |work=www.philadelphiasoul.com |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref>

In [[2005 Philadelphia Soul season|2005]], the Soul began the season by beating the [[Austin Wranglers]] 66–35. However, after five games, the Soul had two wins and three losses, which led to the firing of head coach [[Michael Trigg (quarterback)|Michael Trigg]].

The Soul made [[Tony Graziani]] the highest-paid player in Arena League history. The move left them with little money under the [[salary cap]] to improve their defense, and as a result, they were not in competition for the playoffs. The elimination came even after [[NBC]] scheduled 14 games of the Soul to be shown on national or regional television.

In [[2006 Philadelphia Soul season|2006]], the Soul began 2–0. They went 2–0 against division rival Dallas Desperados (who finished a league best 13–3), and finished the season at 9–7 and earned their first playoff berth through the wild card. In their wild card playoff game, the Soul defeated the Austin Wranglers in Austin, 52–35. The score was 21–21 at halftime, but the #5 seed Soul outscored the #4 Wranglers 21–7 in the third quarter and ran away with the game. The Soul lost their Divisional Round Playoff game 31–27 to the Orlando Predators in the infamous "round of golf", so-called because viewers missed much of the 1st quarter of that game and another AFL game being broadcast simultaneously due to a PGA Golf tournament that was televised on NBC.

The Soul started 4–0 in [[2007 Philadelphia Soul season|2007]] before losing to the [[Georgia Force]], 57–49. Afterwards, they lost on a Monday night contest to their division rival, the [[Dallas Desperados]], 51–41. In the game, Tony Graziani left the game early with a separated left shoulder from a sack by OL/DL Rickie Simpkins. He would miss the next four weeks, all losses, dropping the team to 4–6. Graziani returned in week 12 against the [[New Orleans VooDoo]] and led the team to its highest scoring output in its short franchise history, winning 78–34. In a Week 16 "win-and-in" matchup with the [[Columbus Destroyers]], Graziani led the Soul down the field and threw a touchdown pass to Charles Pauley with seven seconds left, giving the Soul a 56–53 win and their second trip to the playoffs in their four-year history. In the playoffs, they defeated the Orlando Predators 41–26, then traveled to Atlanta to take on the Georgia Force in the Divisional Round, but lost 65–39.

In [[2008 Philadelphia Soul season|2008]], the Soul signed WR [[Chris Jackson (Arena football)|Chris Jackson]] in the off-season. He was united with a former teammate in Tony Graziani. In the offseason the Soul were picked by many as the favorite to win the championship. However, after another good start, once again Graziani was injured. He was replaced by [[Matt D'Orazio]]. Unlike previous years, in 2008 the Soul backup was able to keep the team going. He played well enough that when Graziani was healthy once more, the coaching staff decided to allow D'Orazio to keep the starting job. The Soul finished the 2008 season with a 13–3 record and earned a first-round bye. In the divisional round the Soul defeated the [[New York Dragons]]. In the conference finals the Soul were able to defeat the [[Cleveland Gladiators]] to earn their first berth to the [[ArenaBowl]]. They then won their first ArenaBowl on Sunday, July 27, 2008 in a 59–56 win over the [[San Jose SaberCats]] in [[ArenaBowl XXII]].

The team suspended operations along with the rest of the [[Arena Football League]] in 2009. Bon Jovi would then form another ownership group with members of [[Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment]] five years later seeking to purchase the [[National Football League]]'s [[Buffalo Bills]]; the Bon Jovi consortium was outbid by [[Terrence Pegula|Terry]] and [[Kim Pegula]].

===Ron Jaworski era (2011–2019)===
On February 17, 2010, the Arena Football League extended an offer to the Soul to make a return to arena football.<ref>[http://www.arenafootballmedia.com/files/1089/100217AFLTeleconference.mp3 Feb. 17, 2010 Teleconference]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81672a77&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true news about arena league from nfl.com]</ref>  That offer was accepted, as the Soul returned in 2011 playing all their home games at the then-recently renamed Wells Fargo Center. Jaworski and Spencer returned from the prior ownership group, and Pete Ciarrocchi (owner of local sports bar Chickie's and Pete's) and [[Cosmo DeNicola]] (who was the owner of the [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers]] from the now-defunct [[af2]] league) joined the new Soul's ownership.  Notably absent was Jon Bon Jovi, who cited his group's [[The Circle Tour|tour]] as a reason for declining ownership, but still maintains his support for the Soul and their new ownership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jqNLvPZko4I2-40y-GAj4yg0TJPAD9GBR5AG0 |title=Philadelphia Soul return to AFL |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=June 15, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/06/ex-champion-philadelphia-soul-returning-to-arena-football-league/1 |title=Ex-champion Philadelphia Soul returning to Arena Football League |author=Sean Leahy |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=June 15, 2010 |publisher=USA Today |work=www.usatoday.com}}</ref> The team hired future Arena Football Hall of Famer, [[Mike Hohensee]], to lead the revived team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2010/08/30/daily15.html |title=Philadelphia Soul hire new coach |author=John George |date=August 31, 2010 |publisher=American City Business Journals |work=www.philadelphia.bizjournals.com |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> Despite high expectations, the Soul stumbled out of the gate and never recovered, finishing just 6–12, last place in the East.

In {{afly|2012}}, the Soul began the season with new head coach [[Doug Plank]]. They finished the regular season with the league's best record at 15–3. They would advance to [[ArenaBowl XXV]], but lost to the [[Arizona Rattlers]] 72–54. Less than a week later, Plank announced his resignation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphiasoul.com/home.cfm?go=news&id=1071 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208153534/http://www.philadelphiasoul.com/home.cfm?go=news&id=1071 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |title=Plank Resigns as Philadelphia Soul Head Coach |date=August 16, 2012 |publisher=Philadelphia Soul |work=www.philadelphiasoul.com |access-date=August 16, 2012 }}</ref>

In {{AFL Year|2013}}, the Soul hired offensive coordinator, [[Clint Dolezel]], to succeed Plank.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thecapitalsportsreport.com/?p=24832 |title=Soul in talks to hire Clint Dolezel as its new head coach |author=Anthony Caruso III |date=August 17, 2012 |publisher=The Capital Sports Report |work=www.thecapitalsportsreport.com |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> Dolezel's familiarity with many of the Soul players made it easy for the team to maintain success through the 2013 season. The Soul finished the regular season 12–6, winning the [[Eastern Division (AFL)|Eastern Division]] for a second season in a row.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csnphilly.com/soul/soul-win-fourth-straight-clinch-east-division |title=Soul win fourth straight, clinch East Division |date=June 29, 2013 |publisher=Comcast Sportsnet Philly L.P. |work=csnphilly.com |access-date=August 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704081314/http://www.csnphilly.com/soul/soul-win-fourth-straight-clinch-east-division |archive-date=July 4, 2013 }}</ref> Dolezel would lead the Soul back to [[ArenaBowl XXVI]], but the team once again fell to the Rattlers 48–39.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-08-17/sports/os-arenabowl-orlando-arizona-rattlers-philadelphia-20130817_1_philadelphia-soul-quarterback-nick-davila-the-rattlers |title=ArenaBowl XXVI: Rattlers win 2nd Arena Football League title in row |date=August 17, 2013 |author=Joe Williams |publisher=Orlando Sentinel |work=www.orlandosentinel.com |access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref>

In September 2014, [[New Orleans Saints]] wide receiver [[Marques Colston]] bought a share of the team; Jaworski remained the majority owner.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barkowitz |first=Ed |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soul/277794071.html |title=Saints WR Marques Colston buys share in Philadelphia Soul |work=[[Philadelphia Daily News]] |date=October 1, 2014 |access-date=2014-10-02 }}</ref>  In August 2015, additional pieces of the team were sold to Colston's Saints teammate, Philadelphia native [[Jahri Evans]], and to former Eagles coach [[Dick Vermeil]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.csnphilly.com/football-philadelphia-eagles/dick-vermeil-jahri-evans-buy-ownership-stakes-soul |title=Dick Vermeil, Jahri Evans buy ownership stakes in Soul |work=[[Associated Press]] at [[Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia]] |date=August 20, 2015 |access-date=2015-08-21 }}</ref>

In {{AFL Year|2016}}, the Soul finished the regular season with a 13–3 record, the best in the American Conference.  In the playoffs, they first defeated the [[Tampa Bay Storm]], then the Jacksonville Sharks, to claim the American Conference Championship.  In [[ArenaBowl XXIX]], they defeated the National Conference Champion Arizona Rattlers 56–42 to claim their second AFL Championship.

Before {{AFL Year|2017}}, the AFL contracted to five teams and the conferences were abolished. In 2017, the Soul went 13–1. On August 12, 2017, the Soul defeated the [[Baltimore Brigade]] 69–54 to advance to their fifth ArenaBowl in [[ArenaBowl XXX]] on August 26, 2017, at Wells Fargo Center against the Tampa Bay Storm. In that game, the Soul came back from an ArenaBowl record 13-point deficit to win 44–40 and repeat as AFL Champions.

In March 2017, the Philadelphia Soul signed a deal with ''Total Turf Experience'' in [[Mantua Township, New Jersey]]. The indoor practice facility became home to the Soul for its daily practices, team events, tryouts, combines, and clinics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2017/03/06/soul-sign-practice-facility-deal-virtua-total-turf.html|title=Soul sign practice facility deal with South Jersey sports complex|last=George|first=John|date=Mar 6, 2017|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=January 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.philadelphiasoul.com/index.cfm?go=news&show=story&id=13893|title=SOUL ANNOUNCE VIRTUA/TOTAL TURF EXPERIENCE AS NEW TEAM PRACTICE FACILITY|date=2017|website=www.philadelphiasoul.com|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref>

===Revival===
{{main|Philadelphia Soul (2024)}}
An unrelated traveling team bearing the same name played in the short-lived 2024 [[Arena Football League (2024)|Arena Football League]].

===Franchise highlights===
[[File:Soul Endzone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|One of the Philadelphia Soul's end zones]]
* On Sunday, February 13, 2005, in a week-three home game against the [[Nashville Kats]], quarterback [[Tony Graziani]] threw for six touchdowns, one of which came on a third-quarter play from their own five-yard line. Graziani got the snap, tripped over his own fullback's foot, and threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to [[Offensive Specialist|OS]] Steve Smith off his own knee. The Soul won the game. It appeared on ''[[The Best Damn Sports Show Period]]'''s Top 50 Spectacular Plays.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafootball.com/mediaPlayer/video.dbml?DB_MENU_ID=&SPSID=38064&SPID=3172&DB_OEM_ID=3500&CLIP_ID=31065&CLIP_FILE_ID=35080&CONTENT_TYPE=ONDEMAND |title=Graziani to Smith |publisher=Arena Football League |work=www.arenafootball.com}}{{dead link|date=April 2011}}</ref>
* On Saturday, April 24, 2004, the Soul were trailing to the [[New York Dragons]] by a point with 1.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Soul had the ball at their own two-yard line. Ken Hinsley kicked a field goal from the back of the endzone which just barely made it over the crossbar as the buzzer went off, winning the game for the Soul, 60–58.{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}}
* Since its inception, the Philadelphia Soul has been deeply involved in the community. In 2006, The Philadelphia Soul Foundation was formed to further the organization's commitment to the Philadelphia area. Former President [[Bill Clinton]] joined Soul majority owner Jon Bon Jovi on stage to announce a project that would rehab 15 townhouses in North Philadelphia. Scheduled to open in November 2007, the homes will also be eco-friendly, not only saving money for its new tenants, but improving the environment as well.{{Update inline|date=November 2016}}
* On Saturday, July 12, 2008, the Philadelphia Soul defeated the Cleveland Gladiators 70–35 in the AFL National Conference Title game, earning their first ArenaBowl berth in ArenaBowl XXII.
* On Sunday, July 27, 2008, the Philadelphia Soul defeated the San Jose SaberCats in ArenaBowl XXII, 59–56, capturing their first ArenaBowl championship.
* On August 26, 2016, the Soul defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXIX, 56-42, to win their second championship in franchise history after two previous unsuccessful attempts against the Rattlers. Their final regular-season home game and two playoff games were moved to the [[PPL Center]] in nearby [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], as the Wells Fargo Center hosted the [[Democratic National Convention]] weeks earlier.
* On Saturday, August 26, 2017, the Soul won their third AFL title by defeating the Tampa Bay Storm in ArenaBowl XXX, 44–40 at Wells Fargo Center, to win back-to back AFL championships.

===Season-by-season records===
{{Main|List of Philadelphia Soul seasons}}

==Rivalries==

===Power===
The Soul and [[Pittsburgh Power]] were both located in [[Pennsylvania]].  The Power began play in 2011, and both the Power and Soul were placed in the now-defunct East Division.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kidsportsmagazine.com/PSR/node/1592 |title=Pittsburgh Power lose inaugural game to Philly in overtime |author=Aaron Rieber |date=March 12, 2011 |publisher=Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc. |work=www.kidsportsmagazine.com |access-date=October 18, 2013}}</ref> As members of the [[East Division (AFL)|East Division]], the Soul and Power met twice a year, with each team hosting one home game. The series was tied 4–4 by the end of the 2014 season. The Power franchise folded in the 2014-15 off season due to poor attendance numbers, and many of the Power's key franchise players signed with the Soul when Pittsburgh folded.

===Desperados===
The [[Dallas Desperados]] were one of the Soul's biggest rivals. This rivalry originally spurred from the rivalry of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles and the [[Dallas Cowboys]], but made its way indoors with the Soul and Desperados battling for Eastern Division titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/sports/football/27soul.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0 |title=Indoors, Old Rivalry With a New Twist |date=April 27, 2008 |publisher=The New York Times Company |work=www.nytimes.com |access-date=October 18, 2013}}</ref> The Soul lost the first game in this rivalry 51–47 on February 15, 2004. The all-time series ended tied at 5–5 at the demise of the Desperados franchise.

===Gladiators===
Though originally not as important as the rivalries with the Power and Desperados, the [[Cleveland Gladiators]] would soon become the Soul's biggest rival. The rivalry started in 2008 when the Gladiators moved from [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] to [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]], moving them into the same division as the Soul.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20120525/rivalry-renewed-for-gladiators-soul |title=Rivalry renewed for Gladiators, Soul |author=Jeff Schudel |date=August 7, 2013 |publisher=The Morning Journal |work=www.morningjournal.com |access-date=October 18, 2013}}</ref> In their first meeting, the Gladiators defeated the Soul 63–35. For the 2017 season, the AFL abolished the conferences, and the Soul and Gladiators played four games against one another, with Philadelphia winning all four. The Gladiators announced that they would not play the 2018 or 2019 seasons due to renovations on [[Quicken Loans Arena]] that required it to close during the basketball off-season.

===Sharks===
The rivalry between the Soul and the Jacksonville Sharks truly began in 2012, the Sharks' defending ArenaBowl championship season and just their second year in the league. Philadelphia hosted the defending champions in the American Conference championship, which the Soul ran away with 89–34 to advance to the ArenaBowl. The following season, the Sharks would finish with the highest record in the conference and would host the Soul in the conference championship, which the Soul would win again, this time 75–59.
In the 2015 off season, Soul legends Derrick Ross, Tiger Jones and Jason Holman left the Soul and signed with Jacksonville, and when the Sharks returned to Philadelphia for their third conference championship match up in four seasons, Jacksonville finally overcame the Soul 61–56 to advance to the ArenaBowl.  In the 2016 AFL playoffs, the Soul got revenge, defeating the Sharks in the American Conference Championship game, advancing to ArenaBowl XXIX.  The Jacksonville Sharks left the AFL for the [[National Arena League]] after the [[2016 Arena Football League season|2016 season]], ending the Soul-Sharks rivalry.

=== Rattlers ===
Their biggest rival would become the Arizona Rattlers. The two teams faced off in back-to-back ArenaBowls in 2012 and 2013. The Rattlers would win both games. The Soul would finally beat the Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXIX in 2016. Following that season, the Rattlers moved to the Indoor Football League, ending the rivalry.

=== Popular culture ===
The Soul logo appeared on a 2008 episode of ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' entitled "Dennis Reynolds: An Erotic Life".  Actress [[Lisa LoCicero]] played the role of a "representative" of the team.

[[Ashton Kutcher]]'s character, Colt Bennett, wore a Soul T-shirt in season 1 episode 4 of ''[[The Ranch (TV series)|The Ranch]]''.

On a Season 5 punishment of ''[[Impractical Jokers]]'', Joe Gatto has to shoot his own clothes into the crowd at a Soul game.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/tdmT0wYGaiA Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190422080018/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdmT0wYGaiA&app=desktop Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdmT0wYGaiA| title = Impractical Jokers - The One-Man Pep Squad | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Logo and uniforms==
The Soul logo is a music note with a white football inside. Their original home jersey was a dark grey, and the road jersey was white. After experimenting with white and silver helmets during the 2004 Preseason, they adopted a dark grey helmet. In 2008, they introduced a blue alternate jersey, with "PHL" on the chest, and grey pants. The blue jersey was worn throughout the entire 2008 playoffs, including ArenaBowl XXII. However, the blue jerseys were not retained when the Soul returned in 2011. On March 13, 2012, the Soul unveiled a modified version of their blue jerseys to become their new home jerseys and matching white road jerseys, as well as a powder blue helmet for their road uniforms. For 2016 and 2017, they reverted to grey home jerseys. Prior to the start of the 2019 season, the AFL partnered with Phenom Elite to provide uniforms for the league. Their jerseys would be blue with an enlarged black logo across the chest and back.
==Notable players==
[[File:Soul vs Valor (2017) (2).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The Soul in 2017]]

===Arena Football League Hall of Famers===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
| colspan="5" style= "{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Philadelphia Soul}}" align="center"| '''Philadelphia Soul Hall of Famers'''
|-
!width=60px style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Philadelphia Soul}}" |No.
!style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Philadelphia Soul}}" |Name
!style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Philadelphia Soul}}" |Year Inducted
!style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Philadelphia Soul}}" |Position(s)
!style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Philadelphia Soul}}" |Years w/ Soul
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| -- || [[Clint Dolezel]] || style="text-align:center;"| 2012 || style="text-align:center;"|[[Head coach]] || style="text-align:center;"| 2013–2019
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| -- || [[Mike Hohensee]] || style="text-align:center;"| 2012 || style="text-align:center;"|[[Head coach]] || style="text-align:center;"| 2011
|}

===Individual awards===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Offensive Player of the Year'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Season   
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2008}}||[[Chris Jackson (wide receiver)|Chris Jackson]]||[[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|{{AFL Year|2015}}||[[Dan Raudabaugh]]||[[Quarterback|QB]]
|}

{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Quarterback of the Year'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Season   
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2008}}||[[Matt D'Orazio]]||[[Quarterback|QB]]
|}

{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Al Lucas Hero Award'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Season   
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2008}}||[[Mike Brown (arena football)|Mike Brown]]||[[Defensive back|DB]]
|}
{{col-3}}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''ArenaBowl MVP'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| ArenaBowl   
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|[[ArenaBowl XXII|XXII]]||[[Matt D'Orazio]]||[[Quarterback|QB]]
|}

{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Ironman of the Year Award'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Season   
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2012}}||[[Jeff Hughley]]||[[Wide receiver|WR]]/[[Kickoff returner|KR]]
|}

{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Defensive Back of the Year'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Season   
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2012}}||[[Kent Richardson]]||[[Defensive back|DB]]
|-
|{{AFL Year|2017}}||[[Dwayne Hollis]]||[[Defensive back|DB]]
|-
|{{AFL Year|2019}}||[[James Romain]]||[[Defensive back|DB]]
|}

{{col-3}}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Offensive Lineman of the Year'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Year  
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2015}}||[[Shannon Breen]]||[[Offensive Lineman|OL]]
|-
|{{AFL Year|2017}}||[[Wayne Tribue]]||[[Offensive Lineman|OL]]
|}

{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''AFL Most Valuable Player'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Year  
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2015}}||[[Dan Raudabaugh]]||[[Quarterback|QB]]
|}

{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Kicker of the Year'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Year  
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2015}}||[[Tommy Frevert]]||[[Placekicker|K]]
|-
|{{AFL Year|2016}}||[[Tommy Frevert]]||[[Placekicker|K]]
|-
|{{AFL Year|2017}}||[[Adrian Trevino]]||[[Placekicker|K]]
|}

{{col-3}}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Defensive Lineman of the Year'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Year  
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2016}}||[[Jake Metz]]||[[Defensive lineman|DL]]
|}

{{col-3}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#09C; color:#fff;"| '''Defensive Player of the Year'''
|-
!  style="width:50px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Season   
!  style="width:150px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Player
!  style="width:100px; background:#423732; color:#09C;"| Position
|-
|{{AFL Year|2016}}||[[Tracy Belton]]||[[Defensive back|DB]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/belton-awarded-riddell-defensive-player-of-the-year/n-5198003 |title=Belton Awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Year |date=August 25, 2016 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |access-date=August 26, 2016}}</ref> 
|-
|{{AFL Year|2017}}||[[Beau Bell (American football)|Beau Bell]]||[[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|{{AFL Year|2019}}||[[James Romain]]||[[Defensive back|DB]]
|}

{{col-3}}

{{col-3}}
{{col-end}}

===All-Arena players===
The following Soul players have been named to [[All-Arena]] Teams:
*'''QB''' [[Matt D'Orazio]] (1), [[Dan Raudabaugh]] (2)
*'''FB''' [[Derrick Ross]] (3), [[Tommy Taggart]] (1), [[Jeramie Richardson]] (1)
*'''WR''' [[Chris Jackson (wide receiver)|Chris Jackson]] (1), [[Donovan Morgan (American football)|Donovan Morgan]] (1), [[Tiger Jones (American football)|Tiger Jones]] (2), [[Marco Thomas]] (1)
*'''OL/DL''' [[Ernest Allen (American football)|Ernest Allen]] (1)
*'''OL''' [[Phil Bogle]] (2), [[Mike Mabry]] (1),  [[Martin Bibla]] (1), [[Brennen Carvalho]] (1), [[Christian Johnson]] (1), [[Wayne Tribue]] (1), [[Shannon Breen]] (1), [[Adam Smith (American football)|Adam Smith]] (2), [[Neal Tivis]] (1)
*'''DL''' [[Bryan Save]] (1), [[Gabe Nyenhuis]] (1), [[Bryan Robinson (American football born 1986)|Bryan Robinson]] (3), [[Ted Jennings]] (2), [[Jake Metz]] (1)
*'''LB''' [[Joe Goosby]] (1)
*'''DB''' [[Eddie Moten]] (2), [[Kent Richardson]] (1), [[Rayshaun Kizer]] (2), [[James Romain]] (1), [[Tracy Belton]] (1), [[Dwayne Hollis]] (1)
*'''DS''' [[Eddie Moten]] (1)
*'''K''' [[Carlos Martínez (American football)|Carlos Martinez]] (1), [[Tommy Frevert]] (2)

===All-Ironman players===
The following Soul players have been named to All-Ironman Teams: 
* '''FB/LB''' [[Idris Price]] (1), [[Clifton Smith (linebacker)|Clifton Smith]] (1) 
* '''WR/DB''' [[Mike Brown (arena football)|Mike Brown]] (1)
* '''WR/KR''' [[Jeff Hughley]] (1)

===All-Rookie players===
The following Soul players have been named to All-Rookie Teams:  
* '''OL''' [[Phil Bogle]], [[Martin Bibla]]
* '''DL''' [[Bryan Save]]
* '''K''' [[Todd France]], [[Connor Hughes (American football)|Connor Hughes]]

==Coaches and personnel==

===Head coaches===
''Note: Statistics are correct through the [[2019 Arena Football League season]].''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="width:140px;"|Name
! rowspan="2" | Term
! colspan="3" | Regular season
! colspan="3" | Playoffs
! rowspan="2" | Awards
|-
! W
! L
! Win%
! W
! L
! Win%
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Michael Trigg (quarterback)|Michael Trigg]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=coaches&coach=37 |title=ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Michael Trigg |publisher=ArenaFan |work=www.arenafan.com |access-date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Year|2004}}–{{AFL Year|2005}}
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|14
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winperc|7|14}}
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winpct|0|0}}
| style="text-align:center;"|
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[James Fuller (American football)|James Fuller]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=coaches&coach=78 |title=ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: James Fuller |publisher=ArenaFan |work=www.arenafan.com |access-date=October 25, 2008}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Year|2005}}
| style="text-align:center;"|4
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winperc|4|7}}
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winpct|0|0}}
| style="text-align:center;"|
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Bret Munsey]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=coaches&coach=79 |title=ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Bret Munsey |publisher=ArenaFan |work=www.arenafan.com |access-date=October 25, 2008}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Year|2006}}–{{AFL Year|2008}}
| style="text-align:center;"|30
| style="text-align:center;"|18
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winperc|30|18}}
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winpct|5|2}}
| style="text-align:center;"|
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Mike Hohensee]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=coaches&coach=17 |title=ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Mike Hohensee |publisher=ArenaFan |work=www.arenafan.com |access-date=October 18, 2013}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Year|2011}}
| style="text-align:center;"|6
| style="text-align:center;"|12
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winperc|6|12}}
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winpct|0|0}}
| style="text-align:center;"|
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Doug Plank]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=coaches&coach=73 |title=ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Doug Plank |publisher=ArenaFan |work=www.arenafan.com |access-date=October 18, 2013}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Year|2012}}
| style="text-align:center;"|15
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winperc|15|3}}
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winpct|2|1}}
| style="text-align:center;"|
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Clint Dolezel]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=coaches&coach=93 |title=ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Clint Dolezel |publisher=ArenaFan |work=www.arenafan.com |access-date=August 28, 2015}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Year|2013}}–{{AFL Year|2019}}
| style="text-align:center;"|76
| style="text-align:center;"|32
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winperc|76|32}}
| style="text-align:center;"|10
| style="text-align:center;"|6
| style="text-align:center;"|{{winpct|10|6}}
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Marcum-Moss Head Coach of the Year|Coach of the Year (2015, 2016)]]
|}

===Staff===
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;"
|-
! colspan="7" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Philadelphia Soul|border=2}}; text-align: center;"|'''Philadelphia Soul staff'''
|-
|colspan=7 align="right" |
|-
|valign="top"|
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Front office'''
*Majority owner – Craig A. Spencer
*Majority owner – [[Ron Jaworski]]
*Ownership group – Pete Ciarrocchi
*Ownership group – Cosmo DeNicola
*Ownership group – Martin E. Judge
*Ownership Group - [[Marques Colston]]
*Ownership Group - [[Dick Vermeil]]
*Ownership Group - Nicholas Giuffre
*Ownership Group - [[Jahri Evans]]
*Ownership Group - Philip Jaurigue
*Ownership Group - Stewart Anmuth
*Ownership Group - Gil Peter
*Ownership Group - Hal Brunson
*Team president – John Adams
*General manager – [[Phil Bogle]]
*CIO – Greg Strickland
|width="35"|&nbsp;
|valign="top"|
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" |
'''Coached'''
*Head coach – [[Clint Dolezel]]
*Assistant head coach/linemen – [[Phil Bogle]]
*Assistant offensive coach – Steve Criswell
*Defensive backs coach – Bernie Nowotarski
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Philadelphia}}

*[[Sports in Philadelphia]]
*[[Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051126101733/http://www.philadelphiasoul.com/ Official website]

{{Philadelphia Soul}}
{{ArenaBowl XXII}}
{{ArenaBowl XXIX}}
{{ArenaBowl XXX}}
{{Arena Football League}}
{{Defunct Pennsylvania sports teams}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Philadelphia Soul| ]]
[[Category: American football teams established in 2004]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:2019 disestablishments in Pennsylvania]]