USFL Teams - Houston Gamblers

Here is an image of the bumper sticker for the Houston Gamblers, a team which played in the USFL from 1984 to 1985.

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 the USFL documentary, “Small Potatoes: Who Killed The USFL” had been given an extra hour on tonight’s show, then which important topics would you like to have seen addressed?  You are welcome to leave your comments provided that they are relevant, use clean language, and are on point.

Here are one man’s suggestions for additional topics which could have been addressed (in no particular order):

• The ownership infighting which led to the new commissioner, Harry Usher, who replaced Chet Simmons
• The combining of teams in 1985 as a result of the 1984 post-season announcement to move to the fall of 1986
• Mentions of owner Taube, Taubman, and Tanenbaum (sp?)
• Some mention of the Marvin Warner situation with Birmingham in 1985
• The 1984 Chicago Blitz/Arizona Wranglers “franchise swap”
• The futures contract to which Lawrence Taylor was signed for the 1988 season with the Generals
• Marcus Dupree as being a sophomore to sign with the USFL
• The concern among NFL owners when Debartolo, Sr. bought the Pittsburgh Maulers while his son owned the 49ers
• The mention of TBS’ initial interest in the USFL’s cable deal
• The mention of the effect that LA Express’ demise had on not getting a legitimate network contract for 1986
• At least one mention of the 1983 draft with Dan Marino being the # 1 pick
• The near-sellout crowd in Jacksonville
• Larry Csonka’s role with the Bulls
• How the logos and jerseys were innovative for its time
• Mentions of the other Hall Of Fame inductees with USFL experience (Marv Levy, etc.)
• How the Stars were poised to take over Baltimore in 1986 since the city was deserted by the Colts
• Mention of Tim Wrightman and other “firsts” in USFL history
• Some mention of George Allen, Lindy Infante, and other significant coaches
• Some mention of the territorial draft
• Some mention of the Breakers being in 3 cities in 3 years

Again, there are probably dozens more unique stories which could have been covered.  At least it finally showed (on a national level) respected NFL Hall of Famers talking about how much fun they had while being in the USFL!

This post will provide you multiple resources to discover more information about the Washington Federals.  The team played in the United States Football League during the 1983 and 1984 USFL seasons:

• Washington Federals on Squidoo
• Washington Federals on OursportsCentral
• Washington Federals on USFL.info
• Washington Federals on Remembertheusfl

This post will provide you multiple resources to discover more information about the Tampa Bay Bandits.  The team played in the United States Football League during the 1983-1985 USFL seasons:

• Tampa Bay Bandits on Squidoo
• Tampa Bay Bandits on OursportsCentral
• Tampa Bay Bandits on USFL.info
• Tampa Bay Bandits on Remembertheusfl

This post will provide you multiple resources to discover more information about the San Antonio Gunslingers.  The team played in the United States Football League during the 1984 and 1985 USFL season:

• San Antonio Gunslingers on Squidoo
• San Antonio Gunslingers on OursportsCentral
• San Antonio Gunslingers on USFL.info
• San Antonio Gunslingers on Remembertheusfl

This post will provide you multiple resources to discover more information about the Portland Breakers.  The team played in the United States Football League during the 1985 USFL season:

• Portland Breakers on Squidoo
• Portland Breakers on OursportsCentral
• Portland Breakers on USFL.info
• Portland Breakers on Remembertheusfl

This post will provide you multiple resources to discover more information about the Pittsburgh Maulers.  The team played in the United States Football League during the 1984 USFL season:

• Pittsburgh Maulers on Squidoo
• Pittsburgh Maulers on OursportsCentral
• Pittsburgh Maulers on USFL.info
• Pittsburgh Maulers on Remembertheusfl

This post will provide you multiple resources to discover more information about the Philadelphia Stars.  The team played in the United States Football League during the 1983 and 1984 USFL seasons:

• Philadelphia Stars on Squidoo
• Philadelphia Stars on OursportsCentral
• Philadelphia Stars on USFL.info
• Philadelphia Stars on Remembertheusfl

This post will provide you multiple resources to discover more information about the Orlando Renegades.  The team played in the United States Football League during the 1985 USFL season:

• Orlando Renegades on Squidoo
• Orlando Renegades on OursportsCentral
• Orlando Renegades on USFL.info
• Orlando Renegades on Remembertheusfl