As part of the Avengers's marketing plan as they got off the ground in 2000, the team placed risqué billboard slogans around Greater Los Angeles, with slogans including "On April 9th, Twelve Men Will Go Both Ways,"[2] meaning the members will play both offense and defense.

One such sign, reading "Six Beautiful Women Will Show You Their Panties" (a joking reference to the team's cheerleaders) aroused the ire of Rick Cole, then City Manager of Azusa.

He responded by borrowing a City truck and splashing paint over the sign,[3] further publicizing the Avengers.

Following Rick Cole's apology and compensation payments, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office chose not to file vandalism charges.

An autopsy revealed that he died of blunt force trauma and an upper spinal cord injury.