Category: United States Football League

United States Football League 1983-1985

United States Football League Logo [Reference: 1]

USFL 1983

PWLTPFPAPct
Atlantic Division
*Philadelphia Stars181530379204.833
Boston Breakers181170399334.611
New Jersey Generals186120314437.333
Washington Federals184140297422.222
Central Division
*Michigan Panthers181260451337.667
*Chicago Blitz181260456271.667
Tampa Bay Bandits181170363378.611
Birmingham Stallions18990343326.500
Pacific Division
*Oakland Invaders18990319319.500
Los Angeles Express188100296370.444
Denver Gold187110284304.389
Arizona Wranglers184140261442222

Reference: [1]

Home TeamAway Team
Divisional Playoffs
Philadelphia Stars44Chicago Blitz38
Michigan Panthers37Oakland Invaders21
1983 USFL Championship GameMile High Stadium, Denver
Michigan Panthers24Philadelphia Stars22

Reference:[2]

USFL 1984

PWLTPFPAPct
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
*Philadelphia Stars181620479225.889
*New Jersey Generals181440430312.778
Pittsburgh Maulers183150259379.167
Washington Federals183150270492.167
Southern Division
*Birmingham Stallions181440539316.778
*Tampa Bay Bandits181440498347.778
New Orleans Breakers188100349395.444
Memphis Showboats187110320455.389
Jacksonville Bulls186120327455.333
Western Conference
Central Division
*Houston Gamblers181350618400.722
*Michigan Panthers181080400382.556
San Antonio Gunslingers187110309325.389
Oklahoma Outlaws186120251359.333
Chicago Blitz185130340466.278
Pacific Division
*Los Angeles Express181080338373.556
*Arizona Wranglers181080502284.556
Denver Gold18990356413.500
Oakland Invaders187110242348.389

Reference: [3}]

Home TeamAway Team
Conference Semi-Finals
Philadelphia Stars28New Jersey Generals7
Birmingham Stallions36Tampa Bay Bandits17
Arizona Wranglers17Houston Gamblers16
Los Angeles Express27Michigan Panthers21
USFL Semi-Finals
Philadelphia Stars20Birmingham Stallions10
Arizona Wranglers35Los Angeles Express23
1984 USFL ChampionshipTampa Stadium, Florida
Philadelphia Stars23Arizona Wranglers3

Reference: [4]

USFL 1985

PWLTPFPAPct
Eastern Conference
*Birmingham Stallions181350436299.722
*New Jersey Generals181170418378.611
*Memphis Showboats181170429337.611
*Baltimore Stars181071368260.583
*Tampa Bay Bandits181080405422.556
Jacksonville Bulls18990407402.500
Orlando Renegades185130308481.278
Western Conference
*Oakland Invaders181341473359.750
*Denver Gold181170433389.611
*Houston Gamblers181080544388.556
Arizona Wranglers188100376405.444
Portland Breakers186120275422.333
San Antonio Gunslingers185130296436.278
Los Angeles Express183150266456.167

Reference: [5]

v

Home TeamAway Team
Quarter-Finals
Baltimore Stars20New Jersey Generals17
Birmingham Stallions22Houston Gamblers20
Memphis Showboats48Denver Gold7
Oakland Invaders30Tampa Bay Bandits17
USFL Semi-Finals
Baltimore Stars28Birmingham Stallions14
Oakland Invaders28Memphis Showboats19
1985 USFL Championship GameMeadowlands, New Jersey
Baltimore Stars28Oakland Invaders24

Reference: [6]

Report

Michigan Panthers defeated Philadelphia Stars 24-22 in the 1983 USFL Championship Game, but the Stars were to win the only two other USFL Championships: 23-3 against the Arizona Wranglers in 1984 and 28-24 as the Baltimore Stars in 1985, triumphing over the Oakland Invaders.

The 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were the heyday of Rival Major Football Leagues to the National Football League. Not only did the American Football League of 1960 to 1969 become so successful that it forced a merger with the NFL, so that there is now a Super Bowl between the AFL and NFL Champions (since the 1970 merger AFC and NFC). The United States Football League was the third such league after the World Football League of 1974-1975. Styling itself the “Outlaw League” it had team names such as Houston Gamblers, Arizona Wranglers, Portland Breakers and San Antonio Gunslingers.

The United States Football League put teams in cities that did not have NFL teams, and played a Spring Schedule, which gave it an edge when looking for fans on seats in stadiums, however, it was locked out of Television Contracts by the NFL, which was proven in an anti-trust action taken by the USFL against the NFL. However, the League was only awarded €1 in compensation by the courts, and folded in its third season, making the mistake off going head-to-head with the NFL in the autumn, an idea of Donald Trump, owner of the New Jersey Generals, and President of the United States of America from 2016 to 2020.

References

Websites

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

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

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

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

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

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

Images

[7] 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]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jillian Glynn, Fiona Corrigan, Niamh Hughes, Jim Naughton, Kevin Smyth, Ian Collins, Ian Clarke, Brian Bird.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 January 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball

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

United States Football Leagues Era AAA Championship Games 1961-1985

United States Football League Logo [Ref: 21]

Bowl Games and Championship Games 1961-1983

Date/YearWinnersRunners-Up
United Football LeagueUFL Championship
02.12.1961Grand Rapids Shamrocks20Columbus Colts7
02.12.1962Wheeling Ironmen31Grand Rapids Blazers21
08.12.1963Wheeling Ironmen30Toledo Tornadoes21
05.12.1964Canton Bulldogs19Indianapolis Warriors14
Continental Football LeagueCoFL Championship
1965Charleston Rockets24Toronto Rifles7
1966Philadelphia Bulldogs20Orlando Panthers17
1967Orlando Panthers38Orange County Ramblers14
1968Orlando Panthers30Orange County Ramblers23
1969Indianapolis Capitols44San Antonio Toros38
Southwestern Football LeagueSWPFL Championship Game
1972 *San Antonio Toros8-0Las Vegas Casinos6-2
1973Oklahoma City Wranglers19San Antonio Toros16
World Football LeagueWorld Bowl
1974Birmingham Americans22Florida Blazers21
1975League Season Unfinished
American Football AssociationAFA Championship Game
1977 *San Antonio Charros8-0Oklahoma City warriors4-3
16.09.1978Shreveport Steamers17San Antonio Charros14 ot
29.09.1979Carolina Chargers21Jacksonville Firebirds7
07.09.1980West Virginia Rockets42Carolina Chargers17
30.08.1981West Virginia Rockets29Chicago Fire21
21.08.1982Carolina Storm46Shreveport Americans22
23.07.1983Carolina Storm39San Antonio Bulls0
United States Football LeagueUSFL Championship
1983Michigan Panthers24Philadelphia Stars22
1984Philadelphia Stars23ArizonaWranglers3
1985Baltimore Stars28Oakland Invaders24
United States Football Leagues Era AAA Championship Games 1961-195 [Ref: 1-20]

Report

There were numerous AAA Leagues in US American Football from 1961 to 1985, some of which styled themselves as Major League rivals to the NFL, most notably the United States Football League of 1983 to 1985 and the World Football League of 1974 to 1975.

The winners of the United Football League (1961 to 1964) were Grand Rapids Shamrocks (1961), Wheeling Ironmen (1962, 1963) and Canton Bulldogs (1964). The Continental Football League (1965 to 1969), which featured Co. Offaly-born Tom Furlong, Champions were Charleston Rockets (1965), Philadelphia Bulldogs (1966), Orlando Panthers (1967, 1968) and Indianapolis Capitols (1969).

In the 1972 the Southwestern Pro Football League (SWFL) began to market to the Mexican populations of Texas, California and the SouthWest. It lasted two seasons. Champions were San Antonio Toros (Bulls) (1972) and Oklahoma City Wranglers (1973). the World Football Legue which replaced it attempted to promote American Football to the World, although it got no further than Hawaii. Dublin-born Adrian Young played for the Hawaiians. The League lasted one and a half seasons before folding, with Birmingham Americans the Champions in 1974.

The American Football Association too up the mantle of AAA Football League in 1977, with its Champions being San Antonio Charros (1977), Shreveport Steamers (1978), Carolina Chargers (1979), West Virginia Rockets (1980, 1981), Carolina Storm (1982, 1983). It ended because of the arrival of the United States Football League, a Major Spring League rival to the NFL with a huge budget, including later US President and Billionaire Donald Trump among its team owners. The Champions were Michigan Panthers (1983), Philadelphia Stars (1984) and Baltimore Stars (1985).

After this the AAA Market was taken up by the Arena Football League (1985 to 2019), the World League of American Football / NFL Europe (1991 to 2007) and the XFL Era Leagues (2001 to Present).

Tom Furlong, from Co. Offaly, who played in the Continental Football League in 1966. [Ref: 22]

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]

Newspapers

[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/ ]

Bibliography

[11] Gill, Bob et al (2010) “Season-By-Season Listings: The Top Leagues” Outsiders II – Minor League and Independent Football 1951-1985″ pg. 70-79. St. Johann Press, Haworth, NJ. (2010).

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]

Websites

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

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

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

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

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

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

Images

[21] 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]

[22] Irish Independent (2014) Tom Furlong and the NFL career that slipped away [Internet] Available from: https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/25ee2/30549403.ece/AUTOCROP/w1240h700/2014-08-31_spo_3142175_I1.JPG [Accessed 2 April 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Bart Barden.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 6 July 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.

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.

United States Football League Postseason Exhibition Game in London 1984

United States Football League Logo [Reference: 4]

Result

DateHome TeamAway Team
21.07.1984Tampa Bay Bandits21Philadelphia Stars24
USFL Postseason Exhibition Game in London 1984 [Reference: 1]

Report

The United States Football League played a Postseason Exhibition game in London, England, on 21 July 1984, only a week after the Philadelphia Stars were crowned Champions. The Stars and the Bandits played an entertaining game for 21,000 English fans, with many of the starters rested after a long season, with fans only getting a glimpse of the Philadelphia outstanding Running Back, Kevin Bryant.

This offered lesser known players an opportunity to stake a claim on the following seasons starting lineup, and Tom Riordan, was one such player, completing 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards, 3 touchdowns, and only one interception.

Stars’ safety Scott Warner intercepted Jimmy Jordan’s pass in the endzone with 12 seconds remaining, to preserve the Stars 24-21 victory. It was a fitting climax to an entertaining game. [2]

About the USFL

The USFL was the “Outlaw League” setting up as a Major League Rival to the NFL, although playing a Spring-Summer Schedule rather than Fall-Winter. The infamous US President Donald Trump owned the New Jersey Generals in the USFL. It was spectacularly popular in terms of bums-on-seats but was kept off the airwaves by the collusion of the NFL with the 3 Major TV Networks, as was proven in the subsequent Anti-Trust Trial. The League failed financially as a result:

See the USFL websites in the References Links for more info.

References

Websites

[1] USFL Site (2019) 1984 USFL Season [Internet] Available from: http://www.usflsite.com/1984season.php [Accessed 31 December 2019]

[2] USFL Site (2019) Tampa Bay Bandits 21 at Philadelphia Stars 21 Game Report [Internet] Available from: http://www.usflsite.com/usflgame.php?game_id=304 [Accessed 31 December 2019]

[3] Remember the USFL (2019) Home [Internet] Available from: https://sites.google.com/site/remembertheusfl/ [Accessed 31 December 2019]

Images

[4] 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]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jillian Glynn, Fiona Corrigan, Niamh Hughes, Jim Naughton, John Malone, Kevin Smyth, Ian Collins, Ian Clarke, Tony Meenaghan, Brian Bird.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 30 December 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.