From 1999 to 2000, they were the Lincoln Lightning of the original Indoor Football League before the IFL was bought out.
In 2006 the Capitols hired EX-NFL player Chris Simpson, who assembled a promising roster.
He signed standout players Nate Jacks from Atlanta, Mike Carrawell from St. Louis, Abdul Rasheed (All American Triple Jumper from TCU), Brian Guthrie from National City (San Jose State) and James Easterling (Texas Tech).
Mike was an All-American slot receiver from Quincy University and Nate was a shutdown corner back from KU.
[citation needed] During the 2006 season, The NIFL, hoping to kill off their APFL competition and make the Capitols better, talked with the St. Joseph Explorers of the APFL and interested them in merging with the Lincoln Capitols and becoming the St. Joseph Storm.