Category: American Football Association

Continental Football Leagues Era Timeline 1960-1985

Continental Football League 1965-1969

Continental Football League Logo 1965-1969 [Ref: 9]
NumberTeams
Atlantic North Division
1Norfolk Neptunes
2Hartford Charter Oaks
3Montreal Beavers
4Toronto Rifles
5Providence Indians
6Springfield Acorns
Atlantic South Division
7Akron Vulcans
8Fort Worth Warriors
9Orlando Panthers
10Philadelphia Bulldogs
11Alabama Hawks
12Jersey Jays
Central Division (North)
13Indianapolis Capitols
14Quad Cities Raiders
15Michigan Arrows
16Chicago Owls
17Indianapolis Warriors
18Tri-City Apollos
Central Division (South)
19Oklahoma City Plainsmen
20Arkansas Diamonds
21Omaha Mustangs
22Charleston Rockets
Pacific Division (North)
23Seattle Rangers
24Eugene Bombers
25Victoria Steelers
26Spokane Shockers
27Portland Loggers
Pacific Division (South)
28Las Vegas Cowboys
29Orange County Ramblers
30Sacramento Buccaneers
31Long Beach Admirals
32Sacramento Capitols
Continental Football League Teams 1965-1969 [Ref: 9-11]

World Football Leagues Teams 1972-1975

World Football League Logo [Ref: 15]
NumberTeams
Texas Football League 1968
1West Texas Roughnecks
2Texarkana Titans
3Tulsa Thunderbirds
4Fort Worth Braves
5Mexico Golden Aztecs
Southwestern Pro Football League (West) 1972-1973
6Las Vegas Casinos
7Phoenix Blazers
8Southern California Razorbacks
9New Mexico Thunderbirds
10Denver Oilers
Southwestern Pro Football League (East) 1972-1973
11Dallas Rockets (CoFL)
12San Antonio Toros (CoFL)
13Oklahoma City Wranglers
14Kansas City Steers
World Football League (Eastern) 1974-1975
15Florida Blazers
16Charlotte Hornets
17Philadelphia Bell
18Jacksonville Sharks
19New York Stars
20Birmingham Vulcans
World Football League (Central) 1974-1975
21Birmingham Americans
22Memphis Southmen
23Chicago Fire
24Detroit Wheels
25Chicago Winds
26Houston Texans
World Football League (Western) 1974-1975
27Southern California Sun
28Hawaiians
29Portland Storm
30Shreveport Steamer
31San Antonio Wings
32Portland Thunder
World Football Leagues Teams 1972-1975 [Ref:

Note: The Texas Football League of the late 1960s joined the Continental Football League in 1969. San Antonio Toros and Dallas Rockets of the Texas League joined Southwestern Pro Football League in 1972.

American Football Association 1977-1983

American Football Association Logo [Ref: 23]
NumberTeams
Eastern
1Carolina Chargers
2Jacksonville Firebirds
3Alabama Vulcans
4Kentucky Trackers
5Virginia Hunters
6Orlando Americans
Southeastern
7Georgia Pride
8Alabama Magic
9Tallahassee Statesmen
10Carolina Storm
11Florida Sun
12Jacksonville Sunbirds
Western
13San Antonio Charros
14Mississippi Stars
15Arkansas Champs
16Tulsa Mustangs
American
17Wichita Falls Steelers
18Wichita Falls Roughnecks
19Oklahoma City Warriors
20Houston Seagulls
21Forth Worth Texas Stars
22Houston Titans
Southwest
23Austin Texans
24Texas Wranglers
25Oklahoma Thunder
26San Antonio Bulls
27Houston Armadillos
Northeast
28Racine Gladiators
29Buffalo Geminis
30Virginia Chargers
31Roanoke Valley Express
32Pittsburgh Colts
American Football Association teams 1977-1983 [Ref: 16-22]

United States Football Leagues 1961-1964 / 1983-1985

United States Football League Logo 1983-1985 [Ref: 30]
NumberTeams
United Football League (Eastern) 1961-1964
1Columbus Capitols
2Syracuse Stormers
3Quebec Rifles
4Joliet Chargers
United Football League (Western) 1961-1964
5Grand Rapids Blazers
6Grand Rapids Shamrocks
7Louisville Raiders
8Baton Rouge Red Wings
9Houston Mustangs
10Oklahoma City Drillers
United States Football League (Atlantic) 1983-1985
11Philadelphia Stars
12New Jersey Generals
13Pittsburgh Maulers
14Washington Federals
15Baltimore Stars
16Boston Breakers
United States Football League (Southern) 1983-1985
17Birmingham Stallions
18Tampa Bay Bandits
19New Orleans Breakers
20Memphis Showboats
21Jacksonville Bulls
22Orlando Renegades
United States Football League (Central) 1983-1985
23Michigan Panthers
24Chicago Blitz
25Houston Gamblers
26San Antonio Gunslingers
27Oklahoma Outlaws
United States Football League (Pacific) 1983-1985
28Oakland Invaders
29Los Angeles Express
30Denver Gold
31Arizona Wranglers
32Portland Breakers
United States Football Leagues Teams 1961-1964 / 1983-1985 [Ref: 1-8; 24-29]

Note: Indianapolis Warriors moved from United Football League (1961-1964) to Continental Football League (1965-1969)

Tom Furlong

Born: Daingean, Co. offaly

Career: Kicker on the Practice Squad of the New York Giants (NFL) 1965 / Pre-Season signing for Atlanta Falcons (NFL) 1966 (Cut after tearing cruciate ligaments) / Brooklyn Dodgers, Continental Football League 1966.

Biography: Tom Furlong was born in Daingean, Co. Offaly, and played Inter-County Football for Offaly, before being banned by the County Board for playing Soccer. Sitting in a bar in New York, he overheard members of the New York Giants Coaching Staff lamenting at the quality of their kickers (The Giants were having a woeful season) and having seen the game on TV, thought there was nothing to it a GAA player could not do, and volunteered to try out. He got on the Practice Squad for the Giants in 1965, leading to interviews with the New York Times and other newspapers with Irish-American connections.

The Giants brought in a new Kicker the following season, but the Irish-American Community Leaders, seeing the value of an Irish-born player in the NFL, arranged tryouts with the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. He was signed by the Falcons for $12, 000-a-yeat contract, but unfortunately tore his cruciate ligament in training four days before the start of the season.

He didn’t give up on a Pro Career, however, as he was only working as a carpet fitter at the time and signed for the Brookyn Dodgers in the Continental Football League, where he played the 1966 season before retiring, as he thought his kicking was never as good after the injury.

Reference: [2]

Adrian Young

Born: Albert Court, Dublin, Ireand.

Career: Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles (1968-1972), Detroit Lions (1972-1973), Chicago Bears (1973), The Hawaiians (1974-1975)

Biography: Adrian Young, born in Dublin, Ireland, played for the Hawaiians fro 1974-1975, as well as Philadelphia Eagles (1968-1972), Detroit Lions (1972) & Chicago Bears (1973) in the National Football League beforehand. [2]

He left Ireland with his family in the 1960s and settled in Baltimore, Maryland. His father worked in a meat-packing factory, but it wasn’t long before they headed off to California, the family and all their belongings packed in a car, and the traveled across the Appalachian Trail, settling in La Puente, Los Angeles.

He played on the Football team there for Bishop Amat High school, whose coach was ex-Notre Dame Fighting Irish. They won an Inter-State Championship, and Adrian got a scholarship to USC (the University of Southern California). Here he mingled with Hollywood Actors in the Acting department, as well as playing on the same team as O.J. Simpson, who won the Heisman Trophy (annually awarded to the Best College Player) during his time there and went on to become the NFL’s All-Time leading rusher.

He got picked up by Philadelphia Eagles out of College, but his time in the NFL wasn’t as successful as his time in College, as the Eagles were in a period of transition, and chhanging coaches regularly. He played for the Eagles from 1968-1972, and the the detroit Lions and Chicago Bears from 1972 to 1973, before finishing off his career with The Hawaiians of the World Football League in 1974 and 1975.

References

Websites

[1] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1961 Season [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1961.html [Accessed 18 October 2019]

[2] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1961 Season | Grand Rapids Shamrocks [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1961uflgr.html [Accessed 7 November 2019]

[3] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1962 Season [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1962.html [Accessed 18 October 2019]

[4] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1962 Season Grand Rapids Blazers [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1962uflgr.html [Accessed 7 November 2019]

[5] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1963 Season [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1963.html [Accessed 18 October 2019]

[6] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1963 Season | Toledo Tornadoes [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1963ufltol.html [Accessed 7 November 2019 ]

[7] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1964 Season [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1964.html [Accessed 18 October 2019]

[8] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1964 Season | Canton Bulldogs [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1964uflcan.html [Accessed 7 November 2019 ]

Websites:

[9] Greater Northwest Football Alliance (2017) Continental Football League (1965-1969) [Internet] Available from: http://www.gnfafootball.org/continentalleague.htm [Accessed 30 August 2017]

Sources:

[10] Hannigan, Dara (1987) “Greening of the Gridiron” The Sunday Tribune , 27 July 1987. Sportweek, pg. 10 [Available online at the British Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ ]

Images:

[11] Greater Northwest Football Alliance (2017) Continental Football League Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.gnfafootball.org/photos/continental.jpg [Accessed 28 July 2019]

Bibliography

[12] Gill, Bob et al (2010) “Season-by-Season Listings- Other Leagues” Outsiders II – Minor League and Independent Football 1951-1985 pg. 120-121. St. Johann Press, Haworth, NJ (USA), 2010

Websites

[13] Bob Braunwart, The Coffin Corner, Pro Football Researchers Association (1988) WFL by Team Records [Internet] Available from: http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/10-03-337.pdf [Accessed 9 October 2018]

[14] Pro Football Archives (2019) Adrian Young [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/playery/youn00400.html [Accessed 12 October 2019]

Images

[15] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) Birmingham Americans History | Logo World Football League [Internet] Available from: https://www.birminghamprosports.com/birminghamamericans/logo%20world%20football%20league.jpg [Accessed 11 February 2019]

Websites

[16] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1977 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1977.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[17] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1978 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1978.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[18] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1979 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1979.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[19] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1980 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1980.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[20] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1981 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1981.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[21] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1982 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1982.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[22] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1983 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1983.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

Images

[23] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/alabamavulcans/logo%20american%20football%20association.jpg [Accessed 25 November 2019]

Websites

[24] USFL.info (2017) 1983 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1983standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[25] USFL.info (2017) 1983 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1983playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[26] USFL.info (2017) 1984 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1984standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[27] USFL.info (2017) 1984 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1984playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[28] USFL.info (2017) 1985 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1985standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

[29] USFL.info (2017) 1985 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1985playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]

Images

[30] Sports Logos History (2018) USFL Logo 1983-1985 [Internet] Available from: https://sportslogohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/united_states_football_league.png [Accessed 31 December 2019]

Websites

[31] O’Callaghan, Eoin (2020) “Hollywood, the NFL, and OJ – the remarkable tale of the Dublin kid who lived the American dream” The 42.ie. Suday, 2 February 2020. [Internet] Available from: https://www.the42.ie/adrian-young-nfl-4987121-Feb2020/ [Accessed 5 February 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Michael O’Callaghan.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 7 March 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.

American Football Association 1977-1983

American Football Association (1977-1983) Logo [8]

AFA 1977

PWLTPFPAPct
*San Antonio Charros88001.000
Oklahoma City Warriors7430.571
Austin Texans8440.500
Wichita Falls Steelers7250.286
Houston Seagulls5050.000
Forth Worth Texas Stars1010.000

Reference: [1] Note: Forth Worth Texas Stars forced out of the League after 1 game. Houston Seagulls folded after 5 games. * San Antonio Charros champions.

Reference: [1]

AFA 1978

PWLTPFPAPct
*Shreveport Steamers10910.900
*San Antonio Charros10640.600
*Houston Titans10640.600
*Oklahoma City Stampede10640.600
Wichita Falls Roughnecks10280.200
Austin Texans10190.100

Reference: [2]

DateHome TeamAway Team
Semi-Finals
02.09.1978Shreveport Steamer14Oklahoma City Stampede0
02.09.1978San Antonio CharrosWHouston TitansL
Final
16.09.1978Shreveport Steamers17San Antonio Charros14 ot

Reference: [2]

AFA 1979

PWLTPFPAPct
Eastern Conference
*Carolina Chargers141130.
*Jacksonville Firebirds131030
*Alabama Vulcans141040.857
Kentucky Trackers144100.286
Western Conference
*San Antonio Charros141040.571
Shreveport Steamers14950.643
Mississippi Stars14590.357
Arkansas Champs142120.143
Tulsa Mustangs5140.200

Reference: [3] Note: Tulsa Mustangs excluded from the League after 4 games: Marches against Shreveport, San Antonio, Jacksonville, Arkansas & Alabama expunged from record. Tulsa’s record shown here.

DateWinnersRunners-Up
Semi-Finals
15.09.1979Jacksonville Firebirds28Alabama Vulcans21
15.09.1979Carolina Chargers28San Antonio Charros21
Final
29.09.1979Jacksonville7Carolina Chargers21

Reference: [3]

AFA 1980

PWLTPFPAPct
*Shreveport Steamers10910.900
*West Virginia Rockets11740.700
*Carolina Chargers11830.727
*San Antonio Charros10640.600
Jacksonville Firebirds12750.583
Austin Texans10460.400
Fort Worth Wranglers100100.000
Kentucky Trackers8080.000

Reference: [4] Note: Kentucky Trackers forced out of the League.

DateHome TeamAway Team
Semi-Finals
30.08.1980Carolina Chargers36San Antonio Charros20
30.08.1980Shreveport Steamer17West Virginia Rockets21
Final
07.09.1980Carolina Chargers18West Virginia Rockets42

Reference: [4]

AFA 1981

PWLTPFPAPct
Eastern Division
*West Virginia Rockets10910.900
*Jacksonville Firebirds9540.556
Virginia Hunters10550.500
Orlando Americans10370.300
Carolina Chargers4220.500
Western Division
*Chicago Fire11830.727
*San Antonio Charros11650.636
Shreveport Steamers9540.556
Texas Wranglers12570.429
Austin Texans10190.100

Reference: [5] Note: Carolina Chargers players walk out after 4 games, claiming not enough fans were turning up to enable them to make enough pay. Matches with Jacksonville (L 13-19), West Virginia (L 10-20), Chicago Fire (W 28-23) and San Antonio (W 51-39) expunged from record. Note 2: Austin Texans folded after 10 games.Note 3: Shreveport Steamer folded after 9 games.

DateWinnersRunners-Up
Playoffs
23.08.1981Chicago Fire24Jacksonville Firebirds17
22.08.1981West Virginia Rockets41San Antonio Charros12
Final
30.08.1981West Virginia Rockets29Chicago Fire21

Reference: [5]

AFA 1982

PWLTPFPAPct
Southeast Division
*Carolina Storm1010001.000
*Georgia Pride10640.600
Alabama Magic10640209138.600
Tallahassee Statesmen10550.500
Jacksonville Sunbirds10370.300
Florida Sun4040.000
Southwest Division
*Shreveport Americans10820.800
*Oklahoma Thunder10820.800
*Texas Wranglers10820.800
San Antonio Bulls10460.400
Houston Armadillos10280.200
Austin Texans100100.000
Northeast Division
*Racine Gladiators1010001.000
*West Virginia Rockets10730.700
*Canton Bulldogs10640.600
Buffalo Geminis10370.300
Virginia Chargers10190.100
Roanoke Valley Express6330.500

Reference: [6]Note: Roanoke Valley Express & Florida Sun folded during season: remaining matches awarded to opponents.

DateWinnersRunners-Up
1st Round Playoffs
07.08.1982Shreveport Americans42Georgia Pride35
07.08.1982Racine Gladiators44Canton Bulldogs6
07.08.1982Oklahoma Thunder13Texas Wranglers17
07.08.1982Carolina Storm61West Virginia Rockets15
2nd Round Playoffs
14.08.1982Shreveport Americans30Texas Wranglers27 ot
15.08.1982Carolina Storm35Racine Gladiators8
Final
21.08.1982Carolina storm46Shreveport Americans22

Reference: [6]

AFA 1983

PWLTPFPAPct
East Division
*San Antonio Bulls6510.833
Canton Bulldogs6510.833
Shreveport Steamers7520.826
Pittsburgh Colts5140.200
West Division
*Carolina Storm55001.000
Baton Rouge Red Wings5230.400
Dallas Wranglers6240.333
Charleston Rockets5140.200
Houston Mustangs4040.000
Oklahoma City Drillers2020.000

Reference: [7] Note: The Oklahoma City Drillers folded after 2 games.Note 2: Result of Carlina v Pittsburgh unknown.

DateWinnersRunners-Up
American Bowl
23.07.1983Carolina Storm39San Antonio Bulls0

Reference: [7]

Report

There were five different winners of the AFA over its seven seasons: San Antonio Charros (1997), Shreveport Steamers (1978), Jacksonville Firebirds (1979) and two-time winners West Virginia Rockets (1980-1981) and Carolina Storm (1982-1983).

About

The American Football Association was a AAA (Second Level) American Football League in between the World Football League (1974-1975) and the United States Football League (1983-1985). It operated from 1977-1983 mainly in the Southern States.

References

Websites

[1] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1977 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1977.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[2] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1978 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1978.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[3] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1979 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1979.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[4] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1980 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1980.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[5] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1981 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1981.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[6] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1982 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1982.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

[7] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1983 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1983.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]

Images

[8] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/alabamavulcans/logo%20american%20football%20association.jpg [Accessed 25 November 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Fiona Corrigan, Caoimhe Mullaney, Alan Delaney, Gillian Glynn, Nianh Hughes & Gareth Hunt

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 25 November 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.