USFL Memorabilia, Jerseys, Helmets, And Teams » League Officials

USFL Founder Passes Away

admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:58:09 +0000

David Dixon, the founder and creator of the USFL, passed away this week at the age of 87:

Back in 2002 I had a chance to talk with him for over an hour in his art gallery in New Orleans. His hospitality and willingness to talk with a virtual stranger about the USFL will not be forgotten.

USFLMemorabilia.com expresses our deepest condolences to the Dixon family and his friends and those in his business during this time.

Chet Simmons – First USFL Commissioner – Passes Away

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:39:40 +0000

Chet Simmons was the first commissioner of the USFL when the league was announced in 1982. He then held the position until after the 1984 USFL season when he was replaced by Harry Usher. He passed away late this week at the age of 81.

Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues throughout the sports and television industries. Here are two clips about Chet Simmons from ESPN:

On a personal note, when doing a college research project on the USFL years ago I was able to track down Chet Simmons. Yes, this was before the internet was widely available!

He was gracious to answer my questions and I found out that when he was the USFL commissioner that he lived about 2 miles from where I did. We shared stories about the neighborhood as well as the USFL and was gracious with his time to a complete stranger.

Those who were involved with the USFL had lots of good things to say about him, and USFLMemorabilia.com wishes Chet’s family all of our prayers during this time.

1985 USFL Team And League Directory

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:12:43 +0000

Here is a unique piece of USFL history: the team and league directory for 1985. Check out the addresses and phone numbers of the USFL teams which played that year:

1985 USFL Team Directory Sheet

If you like USFL memorabilia and merchandise then be sure to start your search by clicking any of the items listed in the eBay fields below:

USFL History On ESPN October 2009

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:46:19 +0000

In the next few weeks a new documentary will be aired on ESPN called “Who Killed The USFL?” Here is the link to more information:

http://www.espnmediazone.com/press_kits/ESPN_Films/30for30_TCA.htm#E

1987 Review Of The $1 League – The Rise And Fall Of The USFL

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:21:27 +0000

Here is a 1987 New York Times review of “The $1 League: The Rise and Fall Of The USFL”: http://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/15/books/books-of-the-times-071287.html

It is not a favorable review of the book. Nonetheless at the time you have to remember the New York Times’ influence with its sports section and its affinity for the NFL. In future posts, items stories mentioned in Jim Byrne’s book will be analyzed. For now, if you wish to purchase a copy of the book then start your search on Amazon.com by visiting the link below:

The $1 League, The Rise and Fall of the USFL

2006 Article On Piece Of Rare USFL Memorabilia

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:31:40 +0000

Here is an article from the USA Today (2006) about the uncashed check which Steve Erhart holds (as of 2006) from the USFL-NFL lawsuit: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2006-08-07-usfl-retrospective_x.htm

It talks about the market for USFL memorabilia and merchandise, and it gives some great quotes about the early days of the USFL.

Did You Know That The USFL Had Its Origin In The 1960′s?

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:15:32 +0000

It’s true! The United States Football League had its origin in the 1960′s when David Dixon, the USFL’s founder, decided to pursue a NFL franchise for the city of New Orleans. In fact, Walter O’Malley and the Anheuser-Busch group were approached. Even the legendary Paul Brown had input on the concept of the USFL!

Here are two articles of interest about the “1960′s” vision which later became the USFL of the 1980′s:

If these articles bring back great memories then take the next step and click the links below for USFL-related merchandise: