Tombstone
Formed: October 2, 19731International Grid League Proposed, UPI via The Ellensburg Daily Record, Oct. 3, 1973
Disbanded: October 22, 19752Troubled World Football League Finally Makes Decision to Fold, AP via The Times Daily, Oct. 23, 1974
First Game: July 10, 1974
Last Game: October 19, 1975
Seasons: 1.5
States: 13
(AL, CA, FL, HI, IL, LA, MI, NC, NY, OR, PA, TN, TX)
Leadership
President:
- October 1973 – October 1974: Gary Davidson
Executive Director:
- October 1974 – November 1974: Don Regan
President:
- November 1974 – October 1975: Chris Hemmeter
Attendance
Trophy Case
World Football League Most Valuable Player
| YEAR | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974* | Tony Adams | Quarterback | Southern California Sun |
| 1974* | J.J. Jennings | Running Back | Memphis Southmen |
| 1974* | Tommy Reamon | Running Back | Florida Blazers |
| 1975 | No Award | League Disbanded Midseason | N/A |
*Adams, Jennings and Reamon were named co-MVP’s of the league in 1974.
Background
The World Football League (WFL) was a disastrous attempt to set up a fall-season rival to the National Football League (NFL) in the mid-1970’s. League founder Gary Davidson was involved in both the American Basketball Association and the World Hockey Association start-ups, both of which similarly sought to challenge the hegemony of the established major leagues. The WFL succeeded in persuading dozens of NFL stars to jump leagues, largely because the NFL had no free agency and the presence of a rival league created the only leverage that most players had in contract negotiations. Many of the NFL stars who signed “futures” contracts with the WFL never actually made the jump, as the under-capitalized WFL franchises began shutting down almost as soon as they launched.
Our Favorite Gear
World Football League Apparel
When it comes to replica jerseys, we turn to our friends at Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable football jerseys, including those from the World Football League
Free Customization Included
Each jersey individually handmade
Any name and number
Sewn tackle twill crest, numbers & letters
100% polyester
Heavyweight fabric made to game standards
Relive the days of the wild and crazy World Football League in great apparel from Royal Retros. Choose from jerseys, T-Shirts, hoodies, and hats. Mini helmets too! Multiple styles and colors available.
The World Football League lost an estimated $20 million during its first season of play in 1974. The league attempted to mount a second season, but folded on October 22nd, 1975 without managing to complete the regular season. During its short and tumultuous history the WFL was plagued with midseason shutdowns and franchise relocations, which has made its obscure memorabilia appealing to a certain kind of collector.
The day after the league dissolved, reports began to circulate that the Memphis and Birmingham franchises were being considered for admission into the NFL.3Franchise Applications Being Filed, AP via The Daily, Oct. 24, 1975 Those bids were ultimately rejected.
Trivia
The last active World Football League player in the National Football League was long-time Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White. White, who played for the WFL’s Memphis Southmen in 1974 and 1975, took his final NFL snap for the Cowboys in 1988.
World Football League Franchises
| FRANCHISE | YEARS ACTIVE | WORLD BOWL CHAMPIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Americans | 1974 | 1974 |
| Birmingham Vulcans | 1975 | Never |
| Charlotte Hornets | 1974-1975 | Never |
| Chicago Fire | 1974 | Never |
| Chicago Winds | 1975 | Never |
| Detroit Wheels | 1974 | Never |
| Florida Blazers | 1974 | Never |
| The Hawaiians | 1974-1975 | Never |
| Houston Texans | 1974 | Never |
| Jacksonville Express | 1975 | Never |
| Jacksonville Sharks | 1974 | Never |
| Memphis Southmen | 1974-1975 | Never |
| New York Stars | 1974 | Never |
| Philadelphia Bell | 1974-1975 | Never |
| Portland Storm | 1974 | Never |
| Portland Thunder | 1975 | Never |
| San Antonio Wings | 1975 | Never |
| Shreveport Steamer | 1974-1975 | Never |
| Southern California Sun | 1974-1975 | Never |
World Football League Shop
Our Favorite Stuff
World Football League
1974 Logo T-Shirt
The WFL was perhaps the most ambitious and least successful of the various “challenger” leagues that sprang up in the early 1970’s to rival the supremacy of the NFL, NBA and NHL. Unlike the similarly motivated American Basketball Association and the World Hockey Association, the WFL failed to force a merger and would collapse midway through its second season.
This logo T-shirt is available in sizes small through 5XL from Royal Retros. Replica jerseys, hats, and jerseys also available.
WIFFLE: The Wild, Zany and Sometimes Hilariously True Story of the World Football League
by Mark Speck
Order Now at Amazon
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6 Responses
just a true fan
I was a Pom Pom girl on the Chicago Fire Football league and I looking for photo’s. All the photos I had went missing. I also still have my uniform and pom poms that I am willing to sell.
Thanks
Jeanne McNulty Carroll
Hi Jeanne, are you still looking to sell your uniform?
Hey Guys, I made the specialty team on kick off’s ran a 4.2 &4.1
40. I’m not mentioned anywhere rooster etc. Please just list me somewhere. Not so good memories. Larry and Paul just came on board.I was out of Atlanta. with Jim Morton and Jimmy Tally.
I appreciate anything you can do. Victor Von Hardin 73-74. I played
Monster “Outside Linebacker”.6’2 221. Birmingham Americans
Von Hardin
706-580-3968
[email protected]
Houston was loaded with former Patriots; the best known were Mike Taliaferro and Jim Nance. There were a lot of very recognizable NFL names on that team.
I was just ahead of J.J. Jennings at Holyoke High School, Holyoke, MA. He was a terrific runner. His older brother George was a friend of mine. One of his teammates was Ronnie Westbrook. That name won’t ring any bells, but Ronnie’s son was Brian Westbrook, a great runner for the Eagles a generation later.