They were supposed to be a bunch of NFL wanna-beens, never-weres and never-will-bes. Their value? One dollar. But for three action-packed spring seasons - 1983-85 - they were the United States Football League - the USFL.
During its three years on the field, the USFL sported four Heisman Trophy winners: Herschel Walker, Mike Rozier, Doug Flutie and two-time winner Archie Griffin. After the league folded, former USFL players made up nearly 40 percent of NFL rosters from 1986 to 1989. From their midst, the USFL produced two Super Bowl MVPs, numerous Pro Bowlers, the NFL leader in sacks, White and the most prolific passer in Canadian Football League history, Flutie.
The First USFL owners were:
Myles Tannebaum- Philadelphia
John Bassett- Tampa Bay
Tad Taube- Oakland
Marvin Warner- Birmingham
George Matthews- Boston
Dr. Ted Dietrich- Chicago
Ron Blanding- Denver
Alfred Taubman- Michigan
J. Walter Duncan- New York/New Jersey
Berl Bernhard- Washington
Jim Joseph- Los Angeles
Bill Daniels/Alan Harmon- San Diego
First Commissioner:Chester R. "Chet" Simmons 1983-1984 (resigned under pressure from owners)
First Player 'Officially' signed:Tim Wrightman, Chicago, August 1982
First Player to be Cut: Craig Penrose, Denver, February 17, 1983
First Cut Player to be Signed: Craig Penrose, Denver, February 22,
1983
First Trade: WR Joey Walters, Washington to Michigan for LB Mel Land
and WR Frank McCrimmon (and 4th pick in 1984 Draft), February 20, 1983
First underclassman to leave college early
to play professionally: Herschel Walker, Generals, 1983
First Player officially drafted
by the USFL: Dan Marino, Los Angeles Express, January 4
1983 (Marino didn't sign)
First Player drafted to sign: Tim Spencer (Ohio State), Chicago Blitz, January 7
1983
First Trade Involving Draft Picks: WR Joey Walters, Washington to
Michigan for LB Mel Land and WR Frank McCrimmon (and 4th pick in 1984 Draft),
February 20, 1983
First Preseason Game: Michigan Panthers defeated Birmingham Stallions
55-22 at Michigan
First Raid Against CFL: Arizona Wranglers signed Edmonton QB JoJo
Bradford
First Points Scored in USFL Game: 2 (safety), CB Coy Bacon, Washington
Federals vs. Philadelphia Stars, March 6, 1983
First Rushing Touchdown: Anthony Anderson, rb, Philadelphia vs. Washington,
March 6, 1983
First Passing Touchdown: Chuck Fusina, qb, Philadelphia (to TE Dan
Dunek) vs. Washington, March 6, 1983
First Field Goal: David Trout, pk, Philadelphia vs. Washington, March
6, 1983
First Interception Thrown: Kim McQuilken, qb, Washington vs. Philadelphia,
March 6, 1983
First Fumble: Kelvin Bryant, rb, Philadelphia vs. Washington, March
6, 1983
First Sack Recorded by: Robert Barber, de, Washington vs. Philadelphia,
March 6, 1983
First Interception by: Scott Woerner, cb, Philadelphia vs. Washington,
March 6, 1983
First Kickoff Return for a Touchdown: Kris Haines, wr, Los Angeles
vs. Arizona, March 6, 1983
First Punt Return for a Touchdown: Eric Truvillion, wr, Tampa Bay
vs. Birmingham, March 6, 1983
First Tie in USFL History: Arizona at Los Angeles (9-9), March 6,
1983
First MVP '83 season: Kelvin Bryant RB Stars (In 17 games in 1983, he ran for 1,442 yards and 16 TDs, caught 53 passes for 410 yards)
First Championship Team: Michigan Panthers defeated Philadelphia Stars 24-22
Last Player to touch the ball in a USFL game: Kelvin Bryant RB Stars [gained 103 yards and scored 3 TDs in 1985 title game]
First USFL player in Pro Football Hall of Fame:Jim Kelly (Houston Gamblers)- Inducted 2002. Joined in 2005 by Steve Young (Los Angeles Express)
First USFL Coach in Pro Footabll Hall of Fame:Marv Levy (Chicago Blitz)- Inducted 2001. Joined in 2002 by George Allen (Arizona Wranglers)
Last USFL Player in NFL: The honour of being the last active USFL player within the NFL goes to Doug Flutie. Click here for information on his Football career.
Flutie's pro career: After playing in the USFL for the New Jersey Generals in 1985, he went to the NFL with Chicago and New England and not getting much credit or much of a chance. Flutie went to Canada in 1990 where he was the CFL's Most Outstanding Player for six years and won several Grey Cups. He returned to the NFL in 1998 to play for the Buffalo Bills taking the city by storm with his creative style and winning attitude before going to San Diego and helping turn around the last place Chargers.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
* Only player in CFL history to win four consecutive Most Outstanding Player of the Year awards.1991-94 (Also received this honor for a fifth and sixth time in '96 & '97.
* All-Canadian Quarterback: 1991-94, '96 & '97.
* Three Grey Cup Championships: '92, '96 & '97.
* Three-time Grey Cup Most Valuable Player: '92, '96 & '97.
* First CFL player to throw for 6,000 yards in a season (both '91 & '93).
* Six-time Canadian All-Star Team: 1991-94, '96 & '97.
* Posted a 21-10 record from 1998-2000 as quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.
* NFL Comeback Player of the Year: 1998-99 Season.
* Pro Bowl Selection: 1998-99 NFL Season.
OTHER HONOURS:
* Heisman Trophy - 1984
* Maxwell Award - 1984
* Walter Camp Award - 1984
* Davey O'Brien Award - 1984
* All-America - 1984
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