In 2009, Charles decided to give arena football a try.

Canadian and arena football allow them to take a running start at the line.

Arena football is a welcome alternative for the players as well.

For a long time, nobody knew what arena football was, and all that is about to change.

Arnold also played several years of arena football before retiring in 2004.

"Arena football is a lot like the other events a casino puts on," he said.

Arena football, he said, "is a lot different and I'm still getting used to it.

But the game, called Arena Football, will have eight players on a side.

Another strike would make arena football in August suddenly seem appealing.

But Arena football's patented brand of play also has many differences.