Tombstone
Formed: May 25, 19771Hutton, Jim. “San Antonio gets new grid team”. The Express (San Antonio, TX). May 26, 1977
Disbanded: August 1983
First Game: July 2, 1977
Last Game: July 23, 1983
Seasons: 7
States: 17
(AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MS, NC, NY, OH, OK, PA, TX, VA, WI, WV)
Leadership
Commissioner:
- May 1977-1978: Harry Lander
- 1978- July 1979: Payne Roye
- February 1981 – August 1981: Billy Kilmer
- August 1981 – 1983: Roger Gill
Trophy Case
American Football Association Franchise List
| Franchise | Years Active | American Bowl Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Akron Bulldogs | 1982 | None |
| Alabama Magic | 1982 | None |
| Arlington Chargers | 1982 | None |
| Austin Texans | 1977-1978 & 1980-1982 | None |
| Baton Rouge Red Wings | 1983 | None |
| Birmingham Vulcans | 1979 | None |
| Buffalo Geminis | 1982 | None |
| Canton Bulldogs | 1983 | None |
| Carolina Chargers | 1979-1981 | None |
| Carolina Storm | 1982-1983 | 1982-1983 |
| Charleston Rockets | 1983 | 1980-1981 (as West Virginia Rockets) |
| Chicago Fire | 1981 | None |
| Dallas Wranglers | 1981-1983 | None |
| Florida Statesmen | 1982 | None |
| Fort Worth Texas Stars | 1977 | None |
| Fort Worth Wranglers | 1980 | None |
| Georgia Pride | 1982 | None |
| Houston Armadillos | 1982 | None |
| Houston Mustangs | 1983 | None |
| Houston Seagulls | 1977 | None |
| Houston Titans | 1978 | None |
| Jackson Stars | 1979 | None |
| Jacksonville Firebirds | 1979-1981 | 1979 |
| Jacksonville Sunbirds | 1982 | None |
| Little Rock Champs | 1979 | None |
| Louisville Trackers | 1979-1980 | None |
| Oklahoma City Drillers | 1983 | None |
| Oklahoma City Stampede | 1978 | None |
| Oklahoma City Warriors | 1977 | None |
| Orlando Americans | 1981 | None |
| Panama City Suns | 1982 | None |
| Pittsburgh Colts | 1983 | None |
| Racine Gladiators | 1982 | None |
| Roanoke Express | 1982 | None |
| San Antonio Bulls | 1982-1983 | None |
| San Antonio Charros | 1977-1981 | 1977 |
| Shreveport Americans | 1982-1983 | None |
| Shreveport Steamer | 1978-1981 | None |
| Tulsa Mustangs | 1979 | None |
| Tulsa Thunder | 1982 | None |
| Virginia Hunters | 1981 | None |
| West Virginia Rockets | 1980-1982 | 1980-1981 |
| Wichita Falls Roughnecks | 1978 | None |
| Wichita Falls Steelers | 1977 | None |
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18 Responses
Hello!
Looking for official colors of the AFA teams. Cannot find media guides on ebay or anywhere else. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Klaus Gebhard
Texans White and Gold
Original Texan colors were more like orange. Went to Red White and Blue in early 80’s.
Klaus– it has been many years since we last messaged..I should have some of this..Contact me at mikelog998@gmail
Mike
Looking for film. Have some Austin Texan programs to share.
I would love to have a copy of one of the programs for the Austin Texans. If you have any from 1978 that would be fantastic. Thank you so much!
Rick Goree..1982 FS I love to see some news [email protected]
Rick Goree 1982 free safety Texans ..looking for program
Good morning, I played for the Texans along with Ward Kirk and would love to see if you have anything from the 1980 season.
Hi Vic,
It’s Jeff Burgess. You use to room with me in that little trailer outside of Killeen. I use to go to practice and games with you and Ward. I always wondered what happened to you guys. I just sent you a friend request of FB. Let’s catch up.
Jeff
Played 4 armidillows at texas longhorns stadium in austin 1981
Played for Wichita Falls Roughnecks in 1978 and 1979. Would love to have some tape.
Oklahoma Thunder 1982 was largely many players from the West Virginia Rockets championship teams in 1980 (and 1981), combined with players from University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, OK State, and many other schools. They tied the Austin Texans for Western Conference co-championship (both 8-2), but Tulsa-based team (playing at Skelly Stadium) then became the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL in 1983.
Is there any film footage or coverage of the championship games or individual games of individual cities?
Been looking for the Fort Worth Wranglers logo for a while now. Seems that even though it lasted for several years, no one’s taken it on themselves to do comprehensive research on the AFA and it’s teams. A few of the teams are out there but this one seems elusive.
Anyone got any photo’s of their logo and team colors?
Youngstown Hardhats played a schedule of Canton Bulldogs, Erie Blasters, Niagara Falls Spartans, Buffalo Gemini and the Pittsburg Colts in 1981 our last year in the Mid-Atlantic Minor League football conference.
Played in 1981 for the Austin Texans – Mike Washington and Ward Kirk were braver than me. I still have my helmet. Ben Dial, our coach was the best. Do I have these names right?
played for the 1979 Tulsa Mustangs and when they folded I finished the season with the Arkansas Champs.
I have the 5 game programs from the Mustangs with rosters. 09/30/2025