Back in the winter of 1983, a maniacal coach named George Allen auditioned more than 3,000 men to play for his Chicago Blitz franchise in
The Memphis Showboats were a popular entry that drew strong crowds to the Liberty Bowl in the springtime United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Showboats are best remembered today for persuading University of Tennessee star defensive end Reggie White to sign with the USFL rather than enter the 1984 NFL draft. After two seasons with Memphis, White joined the NFL in 1985. He is one of four Pro Football Hall-of-Famer players to begin his career in the USFL, alongside Jim Kelly, Steve Young and Gary Zimmerman.
United States Football League (1985) Born: October 20, 1984 – The Philadelphia Stars relocate to Baltimore Folded: August 1986 First Game: February 24, 1985 (L
The Houston Gamblers were one of the most thrilling alternative pro football teams of all time and a major reason why the United States Football League continues to enjoy a healthy cult following 35 years after taking its final snap. The Gamblers had it all: an edgy name, cool colors, audacious roster raids against the NFL establishment, a record-shattering offensive scheme, and a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback who re-wrote pro football’s single-season passing record book as a rookie.
The Tampa Bay Bandits were a popular entry in the United States Football League during the mid-1980’s. During a particularly grim era for the Hugh Culverhouse-owned Buccaneeers of the NFL, the Bandits played an exciting, high scoring brand of football and packed big crowds into Tampa Stadium in the springtime. The team had a high-wattage ownership group that included America’s #1 box office star of the early 80’s, Burt Reynolds. Read more…
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