After the 1983 Herschel Walker signing by the New Jersey Generals, which created a sports media firestorm due to the concern of underclassmen leaving college early for pro football, the USFL decided to implement a ban against future underclassmen signings.   This week’s trivia question is:  Which USFL player ended up beating the ban to become the second underclassman to sign with the USFL?

Answer:
Bob Boris, a punter who signed with the 1984 Oklahoma Outlaws.  He dropped two punt snaps in his debut and was released from the team days later.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121992/2/index.html

BleacherReport.com had a “remember the USFL players” type of feature article/slideshow.  There is some interesting post-career information on some of the players:

• http://bleacherreport.com/articles/296663-usfl-supplemental-draft-quiz

Here is a link to an autographed USFL New Jersey Generals helmet featuring autographs from Doug Flutie and Herschel Walker:

• http://www.toysonmainstreet.com/sdetail.asp?ID=9134

USFLmemorabilia.com has no ties with any seller who offers USFL merchandise or memorabilia.  Please exercise all caution when purchasing any sports memorabilia online, especially autographed merchandise.

Here is an article from the Houston Chronicle about the 25 year reunion of the Houston Gamblers of the USFL:

• http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7050200.html

The article has some great stories, especially how the team believes that it would have beaten the Houston Oilers of the NFL during the same era.  Jerry Argovitz, part owner of the Gamblers, was quoted as saying that he made a bet with Bud Adams to donate money to the winning team’s owner’s charity of choice.

Enjoy the article as it will give you insight as to how the players felt about their experiences as pro football players

If you liked the 1984 and 1985 USFL Houston Gamblers, then you will enjoy a terrific website which has just about everything you could want about the Gamblers.  This includes unique photos, photos from the 2010 Gamblers 25th anniversary reunion (has it been that long?!?), and lots of other USFL-related information.
Be sure to check out:

• http://www.houston-gamblers.com

A special thanks goes to Mrs. Young, Steve Young’s mom, for giving me this pin from the Los Angeles Express when she was teaching junior high school. She knew that I was a huge USFL fan, so she gave this to me one day after class:

Pin Of The USFL Los Angeles Express

Here is a piece of unique USFL memorabilia: an autographed picture from Doug Flutie when he played for the New Jersey Generals in 1985

Autograph Of Doug Flutie From The 1985 USFL New Jersey Generals

Here is a unique piece of USFL memorabilia: an autographed picture of Jim Kelly when he played for the Houston Gamblers

Autograph Of Jim Kelly From the USFL Houston Gamblers

Did you know that there was an attempt to create a specific USFL Players Association during the training camps prior to the initial 1983 USFL season.  Here is a copy of the card which was given to prospective USFL players before the 1983 season began.
The association never got off the ground, but this is a unique piece of USFL memorabilia and history which you may have not ever seen previously!  It is split into two photos, and you have the right to use them in a professional manner and if you give credit to USFLmemorabilia.com.

Part 1 of 1983 USFL Players Association Card

Part 2 of 1983 USFL Players Association Card

If anyone has credible information about any USFL “union” or “association” for the players during the later seasons then please contact this site and/or leave a comment with a reliable online source to verify the information.  Thanks!