The Birmingham Stallions were a franchise in the
United States Football LeagueThe United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
, an attempt to establish a second professional league of
American footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in competition with the
National Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. They played their home games at
Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
's
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
. They competed in all three USFL seasons, 1983–1985, and seemed to be one of the league's better-run and more viable franchises, an organization which could have had a chance to have succeeded if the USFL organization as a whole had been better-funded and better-run.
The team's coach was
Rollie DotschRollie Dotsch was a football coach who served primarily in an assistant capacity before becoming the first coach of the United States Football League's Birmingham Stallions on September 2, 1982....
, who was previously an assistant with the
Pittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
during its
Super BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
years and ended up with the second most wins in USFL history. The Stallions starting QB in 1984 & 1985 was
Cliff StoudtClifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
, a long-time backup to Terry Bradshaw with the Steelers. Stoudt had finally taken over for the injured Bradshaw in 1983 and had played very well for the first half of the season, but his game fell apart in the second half of the season leading Steeler fans to harshly turn on him. After the season, Stoudt quickly decided it wasn't worth staying in Pittsburgh and signed with the Stallions. (Amusingly, the expansion Pittsburgh Maulers' lone sellout was the game where Cliff Stoudt returned to Pittsburgh.
Steeler fans pelted the hated Stoudt with snowballs throughout the game, but Stoudt and Birmingham won, 30-18.)
In Birmingham, Stoudt proved to be an excellent QB, finishing in the league's top 5 in 1984 and 1985, among such peers as
Jim KellyJames Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers....
and
Chuck FusinaCharles Anthony Fusina is a former professional American football quarterback. He played in both the National Football League and United States Football League and was an All-American and Maxwell Award winner at Penn State University in 1978.-Professional football:At 6'1" 195-lb., Fusina was a...
and leading the team to two divisional titles. The Stallions also added Bills star HB
Joe CribbsJoe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
in 1984. Cribbs lead the league in rushing in 1984 and finished 6th in 1985. WR former Steeler WR
Jim SmithJim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
was another USFL star on the Stallions. Many other Stallions players went on to have at least brief careers in the NFL once the USFL went out of existence.
1983 season
The Stallions were one of the surprise teams in the inaugural USFL season, compiling a 9–9 record despite coming into the campaign with several relatively unknown players. The club scrambled to put a roster together after training camp and signed or claimed approximately 20 players via trades or waivers in the week prior to their first game.
Although the team made a splash in signing their first-round draft pick, quarterback
Reggie CollierReginald C. Collier is a former professional American football player. Best known as a dynamic college football star, Collier had a short-lived professional career in both the United States Football League and National Football League.Collier played collegiate football as a quarterback for the The...
out of Southern Mississippi, the remainder of the Stallions consisted of mostly unsung former NFL reserves and college free agents.
One of the few the pro veterans signed center
Tom BanksThomas Banks is a former American football center who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals. He later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in 1983 and 1984....
(a Birmingham native), who spent ten seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Banks played 116 NFL games (starting 63) while with the Cardinals and was brought in by coach Rollie Dotsch to serve as a mentor to a very young club. Banks eventually retired after the 1984 Stallions' season and became an assistant coach on the Birmingham staff in 1985.
Other NFL veterans who signed with the Stallions included former Kansas City Chief RB Earl Gant (2 years, 20 games with the Chiefs), RB Ken Talton (1 year, 2 games with the Lions), WR/KR Kevin Miller (3 years, 20 games with the Vikings), TE
Steve StephensStephen Owen Stephens is a well-known television and communications pioneer. He is most famous for "Steve’s Show," a popular program produced by the CBS television affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas in the 1960s...
(1 year, 16 games with the Jets), OT Robert Woods (8 years, 99 games with the Jets and Saints), OG
Buddy AydeletteWilliam Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
(1 year, 9 games with the Packers), DE
Mike RainesVaughn Michael Raines is a former professional Canadian football player who played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He later played in the United States Football League. He was named CFL All-Star in 1980 and 1981.-References:...
(7 years, 104 games with the CFL Ottawa Rough Riders), DE
Reggie LewisReggie Lewis was an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics from 1987 to 1993.-Early life:...
(2 years, 22 games with the Buccaneers), LB
Dallas HickmanDallas Mark Hickman is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of California and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1975 NFL Draft....
(6 years, 91 games with the Redskins), CB Mike Thomas (6 years, 77 games with the Redskins and Chargers) and SS Billy Cesare (5 years, 46 games with the Buccaneers, Dolphins and Lions),
The Stallions had some success in signing several of their 1983 draft picks to go along with Collier. Guard Pat Saindon (8th round, Vanderbilt), nose tackle Charles Martin (15th round, Livingston College) and reserve guard
Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
(16th round, Louisiana State). They also signed two key territorial draft selections in defensive end Jackie Cline from Alabama and offensive tackle Pat Phenix from Ole' Miss.
The Stallions also signed a rookie free agent named
Scott NorwoodScott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
who would later be infamous as the Buffalo Bills kicker who missed a field goal in the dying minutes of the Super Bowl in 1990.
After dropping their opening game on a Monday night (9-7, at home to the Michigan Panthers) the Stallions rebounded on the road the following week with a 20-14 overtime victory in Oakland against the Invaders to record their first franchise win.
However, the Stallions struggled out of the gate with a 2-5 record as Coach
Rollie DotschRollie Dotsch was a football coach who served primarily in an assistant capacity before becoming the first coach of the United States Football League's Birmingham Stallions on September 2, 1982....
and his staff put a patchwork, blue-collar, run-oriented club together.
Prior to the Stallions' sixth game of the season, former Pittsburgh Steeelers wide receiver
Jim SmithJim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
(6 years, 73 games with the Steelers) was signed by Dotsch to add some punch to a listless receiving corps. Smith did not disappoint as his arrival helped the offense almost immediately. Dotsch was very familiar with Smith as they were members of two Super Bowl Championship clubs in the Steel City.
The turning point in the season, however, was during a home game in Week #8 (Sunday, April 24) against the
Oakland InvadersOakland Invaders was a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League from 1983 through 1985.-In reaction to the Raiders relocating to Los Angeles:...
when backup quarterback Bobby Lane took the reins of the Stallions offense from Collier, who struggled with injuries and inconsistency.
Lane's heroics won the game vs. Oakland and the Stallions went onto win four subsequent games that improved their record to a 7–5 mark. However, the club managed to only win two of their last six games to finish with a 9-9 mark and a fourth-place finish in the Central Division.
All four teams in the USFL Central Division in 1983 were at .500 or above (Michigan 12-6, Chicago 12-6 and Tampa Bay 11-7 all recorded strong campaigns).
The biggest game of the 1983 season for the Stallions came in Week #11 on a Saturday night (May 14, 1983) when they defeated the visiting Los Angeles Express, 35–20, in front of the largest crowd of the year at
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
(42,212). The crowd featured over 20,000 people from the families of local steel and Iron workers unions.
The following week, the Stallions went on the road and defeated the eventual USFL Champion Michigan Panthers, 23-20 at the Pontiac Silverdome. The game was highlighted by a disputed touchdown late in the game when a Michigan defender intercepted a ball in the end zone, spiked the ball and had it recovered by a Stallions' player before the play was blown dead.
Birmingham finished the season as the top rushing club in the USFL with 3,017 yards on 701 carries, however, the Stallions ranked 11th in the 12-team loop with 2,999 yards passing.
Late in the season, the club also announced the signing of former
Buffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
running back
Joe CribbsJoe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
, who would join the club at the start of the 1984 season. Cribbs, who played his college ball locally for the
Auburn TigersAuburn Tigers is the name given to Auburn University athletic teams. The University is a member of the Southeastern Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 19 varsity teams in 13 sports:* Men's sports** Baseball** Basketball...
, signed a three-year contract with the Stallions.
1983 opening-day roster
| Birmingham Stallions 1983 Opening Day Roster (at 7-Mar-83) |
Quarterbacks
- 10 Reggie Collier
Reginald C. Collier is a former professional American football player. Best known as a dynamic college football star, Collier had a short-lived professional career in both the United States Football League and National Football League.Collier played collegiate football as a quarterback for the The...
- 12 Bobby Lane
Running Backs
- 23 Earl Gant RB
- 45 Billy White
William "Billy" White is a former English footballer.-Playing career:White joined Burnley from the Liverpool based Clubmoor Boys' Club in 1954, going on to score four times in his nine league outings for the Clarets...
RB
- 32 Ken Talton FB
- 31 John Skibinski FB
Wide Receivers
- 82 Ron Frederick
- 87 Kevin Miller
- 83 Greg Anderson
- 80 Mike Kincaid
Tight Ends
- 81 Darryl Mason
- 88 Steve Stephens
Stephen Owen Stephens is a well-known television and communications pioneer. He is most famous for "Steve’s Show," a popular program produced by the CBS television affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas in the 1960s...
- 85 Mike Hirn
|
|
Offensive Linemen
72 Robert Woods LT
71 Pat Phenix RT
78 Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
LG
59 Mark Battaglia RG
74 Pat Saindon RG
54 Tom BanksThomas Banks is a former American football center who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals. He later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in 1983 and 1984....
C
Defensive Linemen
- 96 Charles Martin NT
- 75 Jimmy Walker
James John Walker, often known as Jimmy Walker and colloquially as Beau James , was the mayor of New York City from 1926 to 1932...
NT
- 98 Jackie Cline LDE
- 79 Mike Raines
Vaughn Michael Raines is a former professional Canadian football player who played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He later played in the United States Football League. He was named CFL All-Star in 1980 and 1981.-References:...
RDE
- 76 Reggie Lewis
Reggie Lewis was an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics from 1987 to 1993.-Early life:...
DE |
|
Linebackers
90 Wendell Ray LOLB
50 Larry McPherson LILB
58 Lester Dickey RILB
56 Mike Murphy ROLB
57 Dallas Hickman Dallas Mark Hickman is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of California and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1975 NFL Draft....
LB/DE
51 Carl McGee LB
Defensive Backs
- 20 Emmuel Thompson LCB
- 49 Mike Thomas RCB
- 28 Frank Reed
Frank "Tchallah" Reed , is the current lead singer of the vocal group known as The Chi-Lites.-Career:Reed joined the Chi-Lites in 1988, as the successor to former lead singer Eugene Record...
CB
- 21 Charles Grandjean CB
- 44 Billy Cesare SS
- 24 Charlie Trotman FS
- 42 Mike Hatchett SS
Special Teams
- 4 Scott Norwood
Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
K
- 17 Dario Casarino P
- 52 Tim James LS
|
|
Developmental Squad
11 Melvin WilliamsVice Admiral Melvin G. Williams is Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence. He was selected for Flag rank in 2002.-Personal Biography:...
QB
30 Lonnie JohnsonAlonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
RB/KR
40 Cornelius Quarles FB
84 Sylvester Moy WR
89 Johnnie DirdenJohnnie B. Dirden, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for three seasons for the Houston Oilers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Pittsburgh Steelers....
WR/KR
70 Mark Goodspeed OT
64 Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
OG
69 Bill Searcey OG/C
63 Brett WilliamsBrett "the Toaster" Williams is a former Canadian Football League defensive end who played ten seasons for five different teams. He was a CFL All-Star three times. He was nicknamed "the Toaster" because he also played offense in short yardage situations, thus he would "burn you on both sides"...
DE
55 Herb Spencer LB |
|
Injured Reserve
Rookies in italics
40 Active, 10 Developmental |
1983 Birmingham Stallions Schedule
| Week |
Day |
Date |
Opponent |
Game Site |
Attendance |
Final Score |
W/L |
Record |
| 1 |
Monday |
March 7, 1983 |
Michigan Panthers The Michigan Panthers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s.-Team history:The Michigan Panthers were named as a charter member of the United States Football League on May 11, 1982....
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
30,305 |
7-9 |
L |
0-1 |
| 2 |
Sunday |
March 13, 1983 |
at Oakland Invaders Oakland Invaders was a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League from 1983 through 1985.-In reaction to the Raiders relocating to Los Angeles:...
|
Oakland-Alameda Coliseum |
47,344 |
20-14 OT |
W |
1-1 |
| 3 |
Monday |
March 21, 1983 |
Philadelphia Stars |
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
12,850 |
10-17 |
L |
1-2 |
| 4 |
Saturday |
March 26, 1983 |
Arizona Wranglers The Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. They played at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, a suburb of Phoenix.-Founding:...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
5,000 |
16-7 |
W |
2-2 |
| 5 |
Saturday |
April 2, 1983 |
at Boston Breakers The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans...
|
Nickerson Field Nickerson Field is a stadium on the site of Braves Field, in Boston, Massachusetts, the former home of the National League Boston Braves baseball team which is now located in Atlanta...
|
10,976 |
16-27 |
L |
2-3 |
| 6 |
Sunday |
April 10, 1983 |
at Chicago Blitz The Chicago Blitz were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. They played at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.- Team history :...
|
Soldier FieldSoldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
|
13,859 |
11-22 |
L |
2-4 |
| 7 |
Sunday |
April 17, 1983 |
Denver Gold The Denver Gold was a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second major professional football league in the United States, playing a springtime season, from 1983 to 1985...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
26,250 |
7-9 |
L |
2-5 |
| 8 |
Sunday |
April 24, 1993 |
Oakland Invaders Oakland Invaders was a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League from 1983 through 1985.-In reaction to the Raiders relocating to Los Angeles:...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
18,500 |
21-9 |
W |
3-5 |
| 9 |
Sunday |
May 1, 1983 |
at Washington Federals |
RFK Stadium |
12,818 |
35-3 |
W |
4-5 |
| 10 |
Monday |
May 9, 1983 |
at New Jersey Generals The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. The team played three seasons from 1983-85, winning 31 regular-season games and losing 25 while going 0-2 in postseason competition...
|
Giants StadiumGiants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
|
38,734 |
22-7 |
W |
5-5 |
| 11 |
Saturday |
May 14, 1983 |
Los Angeles Express |
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
42,212 |
35-20 |
W |
6-5 |
| 12 |
Monday |
May 23, 1983 |
at Michigan Panthers The Michigan Panthers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s.-Team history:The Michigan Panthers were named as a charter member of the United States Football League on May 11, 1982....
|
Pontiac SilverdomeThe Silverdome is a domed stadium located in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, USA, which sits on . It was the largest stadium in the National Football League until FedEx Field in suburban Washington, D.C...
|
20,042 |
23-20 |
W |
7-5 |
| 13 |
Friday |
May 27, 1983 |
at Denver Gold The Denver Gold was a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second major professional football league in the United States, playing a springtime season, from 1983 to 1985...
|
Mile High StadiumMile High Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that stood in Denver, Colorado, from 1948 until 2001.It hosted the Denver Broncos, of the AFL and the NFL, from 1960-2000, the Colorado Rockies, of the National League, of the MLB, from 1993-1994, the Colorado Rapids, of MLS, from 1996-2001, the...
|
38,829 |
19-21 |
L |
7-6 |
| 14 |
Sunday |
June 5, 1983 |
at Tampa Bay Bandits The Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
|
Tampa Stadium |
35,623 |
17-45 |
L |
7-7 |
| 15 |
Sunday |
June 12, 1983 |
Boston Breakers The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
20,500 |
31-19 |
W |
8-7 |
| 16 |
Friday |
June 17, 1983 |
Chicago Blitz The Chicago Blitz were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. They played at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.- Team history :...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
22,500 |
14-29 |
L |
8-8 |
| 17 |
Sunday |
June 26, 1983 |
at Philadelphia Stars |
Veterans StadiumPhiladelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
|
17,973 |
10-31 |
L |
8-9 |
| 18 |
Saturday |
July 2, 1983 |
Tampa Bay Bandits The Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
20,300 |
29-17 |
W |
9-9 |
1983 Birmingham Stallions Numerical Roster
| No. |
Name |
Pos |
Ht. |
Wt. |
College |
GP/GS |
| 4 |
Scott Norwood Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
|
K |
6.00 |
207 |
James Madison |
18/0 |
| 8 |
Skip Johnston |
P |
6.01 |
175 |
Auburn |
4/0 |
| 9 |
Alan Bollinger |
P |
6.01 |
190 |
Auburn |
11/0 |
| 10 |
Reggie Collier Reginald C. Collier is a former professional American football player. Best known as a dynamic college football star, Collier had a short-lived professional career in both the United States Football League and National Football League.Collier played collegiate football as a quarterback for the The...
|
QB |
6.03 |
207 |
Southern Mississippi |
8/5 |
| 11 |
Melvin WilliamsVice Admiral Melvin G. Williams is Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence. He was selected for Flag rank in 2002.-Personal Biography:...
|
QB |
6.03 |
200 |
Mississippi Valley State |
10/0 |
| 12 |
Bobby Lane |
QB |
6.03 |
205 |
Louisiana State |
18/13 |
| 14 |
Jay Venuto |
QB |
6.01 |
193 |
Vanderbilt |
IA/7G |
| 21 |
Charles Grandjean |
SS |
5.11 |
200 |
Kent State |
18/6 |
| 23 |
Earl Gant |
RB |
6.00 |
207 |
Missouri |
17/14 |
| 24 |
Charlie Trotman |
SS |
5.10 |
185 |
Auburn |
3/0 |
| 26 |
David Evans |
CB |
6.00 |
170 |
Central Arkansas |
4/3 |
| 28 |
Frank Reed Frank "Tchallah" Reed , is the current lead singer of the vocal group known as The Chi-Lites.-Career:Reed joined the Chi-Lites in 1988, as the successor to former lead singer Eugene Record...
|
CB |
5.11 |
193 |
Washington |
15/14 |
| 30 |
Lonnie Johnson Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
|
RB/KR |
6.01 |
206 |
Indiana |
11/0 |
| 31 |
John Skibinski |
FB |
6.00 |
222 |
Purdue |
17/0 |
| 32 |
Ken Talton |
FB |
6.00 |
209 |
Cornell |
15/11 |
| 37 |
David Smilo |
SS |
6.02 |
190 |
Eastern Michigan |
6/1 |
| 40 |
Cornelius Quarles |
FB |
6.00 |
220 |
Howard |
15/7 |
| 42 |
Mike Hatchett |
FS |
5.10 |
176 |
Texas |
18/0 |
| 44 |
Billy Cesare |
FS |
5.11 |
190 |
Miami (Fl.) |
18/18 |
| 45 |
Billy White William "Billy" White is a former English footballer.-Playing career:White joined Burnley from the Liverpool based Clubmoor Boys' Club in 1954, going on to score four times in his nine league outings for the Clarets...
|
RB |
5.11 |
196 |
Missouri |
16/4 |
| 49 |
Mike Thomas |
CB/FS |
6.00 |
175 |
Tennessee State |
18/17 |
| 50 |
Larry McPherson |
LB |
6.00 |
225 |
Fort Valley State |
16/16 |
| 51 |
Carl McGee |
LB |
6.03 |
228 |
Duke |
2/0 |
| 51 |
Freddie Smith Freddie Smith is an American television actor. He is known for his portrayal as Marco Salazar in the new franchise of 90210 aired on The CW...
|
LB |
5.11 |
219 |
Auburn |
9/2 |
| 52 |
Tim James |
C/LS |
6.03 |
250 |
Elon College |
2/0 |
| 53 |
Rich D'Amico |
LB |
6.02 |
238 |
Penn State |
16/16 |
| 54 |
Tom Banks Thomas Banks is a former American football center who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals. He later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in 1983 and 1984....
|
C |
6.01 |
255 |
Auburn |
18/18 |
| 55 |
Herb Spencer |
LB |
6.03 |
225 |
Newberry College |
16/12 |
| 56 |
Mike Murphy |
LB |
6.02 |
222 |
Southwest Missouri Stat |
13/2 |
| 57 |
Dallas Hickman Dallas Mark Hickman is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of California and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1975 NFL Draft....
|
LB/DE |
6.06 |
238 |
California |
18/16 |
| 58 |
Lester Dickey |
LB |
6.01 |
225 |
Missouri |
2/2 |
| 58 |
Sammy Green Samuel Lee "Sammy" Green is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League for five seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s...
|
LB |
6.00 |
223 |
Alabama State |
IA/7G |
| 59 |
Mark Battaglia |
G |
6.02 |
255 |
Penn State |
18/11 |
| 60 |
Melvin Land |
LB |
6.03 |
242 |
Michigan State |
7/4 |
| 63 |
Brett Williams Brett "the Toaster" Williams is a former Canadian Football League defensive end who played ten seasons for five different teams. He was a CFL All-Star three times. He was nicknamed "the Toaster" because he also played offense in short yardage situations, thus he would "burn you on both sides"...
|
DE |
6.03 |
260 |
Austin Peay |
5/0 |
| 64 |
Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
|
G/T |
6.03 |
254 |
Louisiana State |
14/2 |
| 65 |
Joe Bock Joseph Alan Bock is a former American professional football player.-Biography:Bock was born in Rochester, New York, USA. He attended East Rochester High School and played college football at the University of Virginia from 1977-1981...
|
C/LS |
6.04 |
256 |
Virginia |
16/0 |
| 69 |
Bill Searcey |
G |
6.02 |
270 |
Alabama |
5/0 |
| 70 |
Mark Goodspeed |
T |
6.05 |
270 |
Nebraska |
1/0 |
| 71 |
Pat Phenix |
T |
6.05 |
275 |
Mississippi |
16/16 |
| 72 |
Robert Woods |
T |
6.05 |
250 |
Tennessee State |
16/15 |
| 74 |
Pat Saindon |
G |
6.03 |
273 |
Vanderbilt |
16/10 |
| 75 |
Jimmy WalkerJames John Walker, often known as Jimmy Walker and colloquially as Beau James , was the mayor of New York City from 1926 to 1932...
|
NT |
6.02 |
250 |
Arkansas |
18/16 |
| 76 |
Reggie Lewis Reggie Lewis was an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics from 1987 to 1993.-Early life:...
|
DE |
6.03 |
260 |
North Texas State |
14/3 |
| 77 |
Drew Taylor |
DE |
6.05 |
225 |
San Jose State |
7/4 |
| 78 |
Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
|
G |
6.04 |
256 |
Alabama |
18/18 |
| 79 |
Mike Raines Vaughn Michael Raines is a former professional Canadian football player who played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He later played in the United States Football League. He was named CFL All-Star in 1980 and 1981.-References:...
|
DE |
6.05 |
260 |
Alabama |
17/13 |
| 80 |
Mike Kincaid |
WR/KR |
5.04 |
165 |
Mississippi College |
10/0 |
| 81 |
Darryl Mason |
TE |
6.01 |
220 |
Arkansas |
18/18 |
| 82 |
Ron Frederick |
WR/PR |
5.11 |
180 |
Duke |
15/4 |
| 83 |
Greg Anderson |
WR |
5.10 |
170 |
Alabama State |
18/16 |
| 84 |
Sylvester Moy |
WR |
6.00 |
180 |
Grambling State |
13/2 |
| 85 |
Mike Hirn |
TE |
6.03 |
234 |
Central Michigan |
6/0 |
| 86 |
Jim Smith Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
|
WR |
6.02 |
205 |
Michigan |
12/10 |
| 87 |
Kevin Miller |
WR/KR |
5.10 |
180 |
Louisville |
5/1 |
| 88 |
Steve Stephens Stephen Owen Stephens is a well-known television and communications pioneer. He is most famous for "Steve’s Show," a popular program produced by the CBS television affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas in the 1960s...
|
TE |
6.03 |
227 |
Oklahoma State |
14/3 |
| 89 |
Johnnie Dirden Johnnie B. Dirden, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for three seasons for the Houston Oilers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Pittsburgh Steelers....
|
WR/KR |
6.00 |
190 |
Sam Houston State |
8/0 |
| 90 |
Wendell Ray |
LB |
6.04 |
233 |
Missouri |
3/2 |
| 96 |
Charles Martin |
NT |
6.04 |
276 |
Livingston College |
14/2 |
| 98 |
Jackie Cline |
DE |
6.04 |
275 |
Alabama |
17/16 |
| 99 |
Moochie Allen |
NT |
6.04 |
258 |
Southern Mississippi |
7/0 |
1983 Birmingham Stallions Statistics
| No. | RUSHING | Pos | GP-GS | Car | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs |
| 32 |
Ken Talton |
FB |
15-11 |
228 |
907 |
4.0 |
28 |
5 |
| 23 |
Earl Gant |
RB |
17-14 |
133 |
530 |
4.0 |
19 |
2 |
| 40 |
Cornelius Quarles |
FB |
15-7 |
107 |
495 |
4.6 |
39 |
3 |
| 45 |
Billy White William "Billy" White is a former English footballer.-Playing career:White joined Burnley from the Liverpool based Clubmoor Boys' Club in 1954, going on to score four times in his nine league outings for the Clarets...
|
RB |
16-4 |
117 |
349 |
3.0 |
14 |
2 |
| 10 |
Reggie Collier Reginald C. Collier is a former professional American football player. Best known as a dynamic college football star, Collier had a short-lived professional career in both the United States Football League and National Football League.Collier played collegiate football as a quarterback for the The...
|
QB |
8-5 |
39 |
253 |
6.5 |
30 |
4 |
| 30 |
Lonnie Johnson Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
|
RB |
11-0 |
52 |
181 |
3.5 |
22 |
3 |
| 12 |
Bobby Lane |
RB |
18-13 |
42 |
178 |
4.2 |
32 |
3 |
| 11 |
Melvin WilliamsVice Admiral Melvin G. Williams is Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence. He was selected for Flag rank in 2002.-Personal Biography:...
|
QB |
10-0 |
7 |
58 |
8.3 |
17 |
0 |
| 86 |
Jim Smith Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
|
WR |
12-10 |
5 |
39 |
7.8 |
21 |
0 |
| 82 |
Ron Frederick |
WR |
15-4 |
4 |
19 |
4.8 |
17 |
0 |
| 31 |
John Skibinski |
FB |
17-0 |
6 |
13 |
2.2 |
4 |
0 |
| 84 |
Sylvester Moy |
WR |
13-2 |
1 |
-5 |
-5.0 |
-5 |
0 |
| |
Total |
|
|
741 |
3,017 |
4.1 |
39 |
22 |
| |
Opponents |
|
|
520 |
2,330 |
4.5 |
73 |
18 |
| No. | PASSING | Pos | GP-GS | Cmp-Att | Yds | Lng | Pct | TD | IC | Skd | Lost |
| 12 |
Bobby Lane |
QB |
18-13 |
175-346 |
2,264 |
53 |
50.6% |
14 |
18 |
15 |
106 |
| 10 |
Reggie Collier Reginald C. Collier is a former professional American football player. Best known as a dynamic college football star, Collier had a short-lived professional career in both the United States Football League and National Football League.Collier played collegiate football as a quarterback for the The...
|
QB |
8-5 |
47-108 |
604 |
46 |
43.5% |
1 |
7 |
14 |
132 |
| 11 |
Melvin WilliamsVice Admiral Melvin G. Williams is Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence. He was selected for Flag rank in 2002.-Personal Biography:...
|
QB |
10-0 |
9-21 |
131 |
39 |
42.9% |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
| |
Total |
|
|
231-475 |
2,999 |
53 |
48.6% |
15 |
27 |
30 |
243 |
| |
Opponents |
|
|
278-554 |
3,520 |
81 |
50.2% |
22 |
22 |
51 |
414 |
| No. | RECEIVING | Pos | GP-GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs |
| 86 |
Jim Smith Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
|
WR |
12-10 |
51 |
756 |
14.8 |
39 |
3 |
| 81 |
Darryl Mason |
TE |
18-18 |
45 |
547 |
12.2 |
33 |
2 |
| 83 |
Greg Anderson |
WR |
18-16 |
28 |
529 |
18.9 |
50 |
5 |
| 23 |
Earl Gant |
RB |
17-14 |
24 |
299 |
12.5 |
37 |
1 |
| 32 |
Ken Talton |
RB |
15-11 |
21 |
156 |
7.4 |
25 |
0 |
| 82 |
Ron Frederick |
WR |
15-4 |
16 |
290 |
18.1 |
46 |
2 |
| 84 |
Sylvester Moy |
WR |
13-2 |
12 |
203 |
16.9 |
53 |
0 |
| 40 |
Cornelius Quarles |
FB |
15-7 |
12 |
86 |
7.2 |
17 |
0 |
| 45 |
Billy White William "Billy" White is a former English footballer.-Playing career:White joined Burnley from the Liverpool based Clubmoor Boys' Club in 1954, going on to score four times in his nine league outings for the Clarets...
|
RB |
16-4 |
7 |
47 |
6.7 |
8 |
0 |
| 88 |
Steve Stephens Stephen Owen Stephens is a well-known television and communications pioneer. He is most famous for "Steve’s Show," a popular program produced by the CBS television affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas in the 1960s...
|
TE |
14-3 |
6 |
36 |
6.0 |
17 |
1 |
| 85 |
Johnnie Dirden Johnnie B. Dirden, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for three seasons for the Houston Oilers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Pittsburgh Steelers....
|
WR |
8-0 |
3 |
22 |
7.3 |
12 |
0 |
| 31 |
John Skibinski |
FB |
17-0 |
2 |
13 |
6.5 |
8 |
0 |
| 30 |
Lonnie Johnson Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
|
RB/KR |
11-0 |
2 |
12 |
6.0 |
16 |
1 |
| 80 |
Mike Kincaid |
WR/KR |
10-0 |
1 |
3 |
3.0 |
3 |
0 |
| 4 |
Scott Norwood Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
|
K |
18-0 |
1 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
| |
Total |
|
|
231 |
2,999 |
13.0 |
53 |
15 |
| |
Opponents |
|
|
278 |
3,520 |
12.7 |
81 |
22 |
| No. | KICKOFF RETURNS | Pos | GP-GS | KOR | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs |
| 80 |
Mike Kincaid |
WR/KR |
10-0 |
19 |
404 |
21.3 |
43 |
0 |
| 85 |
Johnnie Dirden Johnnie B. Dirden, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for three seasons for the Houston Oilers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Pittsburgh Steelers....
|
WR/KR |
8-0 |
16 |
322 |
20.1 |
41 |
0 |
| 30 |
Lonnie Johnson Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
|
RB/KR |
11-0 |
10 |
190 |
19.0 |
39 |
0 |
| 21 |
Charles Grandjean |
SS |
18-6 |
8 |
97 |
12.1 |
26 |
0 |
| 87 |
Kevin Miller |
WR |
5-1 |
2 |
34 |
17.0 |
21 |
0 |
| 45 |
Billy White William "Billy" White is a former English footballer.-Playing career:White joined Burnley from the Liverpool based Clubmoor Boys' Club in 1954, going on to score four times in his nine league outings for the Clarets...
|
WR |
16-4 |
1 |
27 |
27.0 |
27 |
0 |
| 82 |
Ron Frederick |
WR |
15-4 |
1 |
14 |
14.0 |
14 |
0 |
| 40 |
Charlie Trotman |
CB |
3-0 |
1 |
11 |
11.0 |
11 |
0 |
| 59 |
Mark Battaglia |
G/C |
18-11 |
1 |
10 |
10.0 |
10 |
0 |
| 57 |
Dallas Hickman Dallas Mark Hickman is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of California and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1975 NFL Draft....
|
LB |
18-16 |
1 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
| |
Total |
|
|
60 |
1,109 |
18.5 |
43 |
0 |
| |
Opponents |
|
|
71 |
1,183 |
16.7 |
67 |
0 |
| No. | PUNT RETURNS | Pos | GP-GS | PR | FC | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs |
| 82 |
Ron Frederick |
WR/KR |
15-4 |
23 |
6 |
170 |
7.4 |
15 |
0 |
| 80 |
Mike Kincaid |
WR/KR |
10-0 |
15 |
1 |
100 |
6.7 |
14 |
0 |
| 45 |
Billy White William "Billy" White is a former English footballer.-Playing career:White joined Burnley from the Liverpool based Clubmoor Boys' Club in 1954, going on to score four times in his nine league outings for the Clarets...
|
RB |
16-4 |
1 |
0 |
15 |
15.0 |
15 |
0 |
| 87 |
Kevin Miller |
WR/KR |
5-1 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
1.5 |
3 |
0 |
| 85 |
Johnnie Dirden Johnnie B. Dirden, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for three seasons for the Houston Oilers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Pittsburgh Steelers....
|
WR/KR |
8-0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
| 32 |
Ken Talton |
FB |
15-11 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
| |
Total |
|
|
45 |
8 |
291 |
6.5 |
15 |
0 |
| |
Opponents |
|
|
45 |
7 |
380 |
8.4 |
31 |
0 |
| No. | KICKING | Pos | GP-GS | FGM | FGA | XPM | XPA | PTS |
| 4 |
Scott Norwood Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
|
K |
18-0 |
25 |
34 |
34 |
35 |
109 |
| |
Total |
|
|
25 |
34 |
34 |
35 |
109 |
| |
Opponents |
|
|
14 |
27 |
34 |
37 |
76 |
| No. | PUNTING | Pos | GP-GS | Pnt | Yds | Avg | Lng | TB | In20 |
| 7 |
Alan Bollinger |
P |
11-0 |
51 |
2,008 |
39.4 |
56 |
7 |
11 |
| 8 |
Skip Johnston |
P |
4-0 |
21 |
870 |
41.4 |
63 |
2 |
2 |
| 8 |
Dario Casarino |
P |
3-0 |
12 |
437 |
36.4 |
52 |
1 |
1 |
| |
Total |
|
|
84 |
3,315 |
39.5 |
63 |
9 |
13 |
| |
Opponents |
|
|
88 |
3,674 |
41.8 |
70 |
8 |
27 |
| No. | DEFENSE | Pos | GP-GS | Tkl | Ast | Tot | Skd | PD | FR | IC | Yds |
| 55 |
Herb Spencer |
LB |
16-12 |
83 |
22 |
105 |
7.5 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
42 |
| 44 |
Billy Cesare |
SS |
18-18 |
66 |
23 |
89 |
0.0 |
18 |
2 |
4 |
52 |
| 53 |
Rich D'Amico |
LB |
16-16 |
71 |
13 |
84 |
1.0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| 57 |
Dallas Hickmam |
LB |
18-16 |
61 |
14 |
75 |
6.5 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
| 28 |
Frank Reed Frank "Tchallah" Reed , is the current lead singer of the vocal group known as The Chi-Lites.-Career:Reed joined the Chi-Lites in 1988, as the successor to former lead singer Eugene Record...
|
CB |
15-14 |
59 |
14 |
73 |
1.0 |
13 |
1 |
3 |
24 |
| 75 |
Jimmy WalkerJames John Walker, often known as Jimmy Walker and colloquially as Beau James , was the mayor of New York City from 1926 to 1932...
|
NT |
18-16 |
49 |
14 |
63 |
5.0 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
27 |
| 20 |
Emmuel Thompson |
CB |
18-13 |
48 |
10 |
58 |
0.0 |
19 |
0 |
5 |
24 |
| 98 |
Jackie Cline |
DE |
17-16 |
38 |
11 |
49 |
5.5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| 49 |
Mike Thomas |
FS |
18-17 |
41 |
8 |
49 |
0.0 |
12 |
0 |
2 |
27 |
| 97 |
Reggie Lewis Reggie Lewis was an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics from 1987 to 1993.-Early life:...
|
DE |
14-3 |
33 |
15 |
48 |
2.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 79 |
Mike Raines Vaughn Michael Raines is a former professional Canadian football player who played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He later played in the United States Football League. He was named CFL All-Star in 1980 and 1981.-References:...
|
DE |
17-13 |
31 |
17 |
48 |
8.0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 50 |
Larry McPherson |
LB |
16-16 |
29 |
14 |
43 |
4.0 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
55 |
| 21 |
Charles Grandjean |
CB |
18-6 |
26 |
12 |
38 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 42 |
Mike Hatchett |
SS |
18-0 |
23 |
11 |
34 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 56 |
Mike Murphy |
LB |
13-2 |
27 |
5 |
32 |
1.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 26 |
David Evans |
CB |
4-3 |
21 |
7 |
28 |
0.0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 96 |
Charles Martin |
NT |
14-2 |
20 |
7 |
27 |
0.0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| 51 |
Freddie Smith Freddie Smith is an American television actor. He is known for his portrayal as Marco Salazar in the new franchise of 90210 aired on The CW...
|
LB |
9-2 |
11 |
3 |
14 |
3.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 99 |
Moochie Allen |
NT |
7-0 |
6 |
7 |
13 |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 77 |
Drew Taylor |
DE |
7-4 |
10 |
0 |
10 |
4.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 63 |
Brett Williams Brett "the Toaster" Williams is a former Canadian Football League defensive end who played ten seasons for five different teams. He was a CFL All-Star three times. He was nicknamed "the Toaster" because he also played offense in short yardage situations, thus he would "burn you on both sides"...
|
DE |
5-0 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
1.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 60 |
Melvin Land |
LB |
7-4 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
| 24 |
Charlie Trotman |
CB |
3-0 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 90 |
Wendell Ray |
LB |
3-2 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 58 |
Lester Dickey |
LB |
2-2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 38 |
David Smilo |
FS |
6-1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 51 |
Carl McGee |
LB |
2-0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| |
Total |
|
|
771 |
234 |
1,005 |
51.0 |
77 |
12 |
22 |
267 |
| |
Opponents |
|
|
--- |
--- |
| 30.0 |
| 27 |
283 |
| No. | OFFENSIVE LINEMEN | Pos | GP-GS | |
| 72 |
Robert Woods |
LT |
16-15 |
| 71 |
Pat Phenix |
RT |
16-16 |
| 70 |
Mark Goodspeed |
OT |
1-0 |
| 78 |
Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
|
LG/T |
18-18 |
| 59 |
Mark Battaglia |
RG |
18-11 |
| 74 |
Pat Saindon |
RG |
10-6 |
| 64 |
Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
|
RG/T |
14-2 |
| 69 |
Bill Searcey |
OG |
5-0 |
| 54 |
Tom Banks Thomas Banks is a former American football center who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals. He later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in 1983 and 1984....
|
C |
18-18 |
1983 Birmingham Stallions End of Season Roster
| Birmingham Stallions 1983 End of Season Roster (at 2-Jul-83) |
Quarterbacks
- 12 Bobby Lane
- 11 Melvin Williams
Vice Admiral Melvin G. Williams is Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence. He was selected for Flag rank in 2002.-Personal Biography:...
Running Backs
- 23 Earl Gant RB
- 30 Lonnie Johnson
Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
RB/KR
- 32 Ken Talton FB
- 31 John Skibinski FB
- 40 Cornelius Quarles FB
Wide Receivers
- 86 Jim Smith
Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
- 84 Sylvester Moy
- 83 Greg Anderson
- 80 Mike Kincaid
Tight Ends
- 81 Darryl Mason
- 88 Steve Stephens
Stephen Owen Stephens is a well-known television and communications pioneer. He is most famous for "Steve’s Show," a popular program produced by the CBS television affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas in the 1960s...
|
|
Offensive Linemen
72 Robert Woods LT
71 Pat Phenix RT
78 Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
LG
59 Mark Battaglia RG
64 Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
G
74 Pat Saindon G
69 Bill Searcey G
54 Tom BanksThomas Banks is a former American football center who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals. He later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in 1983 and 1984....
C
Defensive Linemen
- 75 Jimmy Walker
James John Walker, often known as Jimmy Walker and colloquially as Beau James , was the mayor of New York City from 1926 to 1932...
NT
- 96 Charles Martin NT
- 99 Moochie Allen NT
- 98 Jackie Cline LDE
- 70 Drew Taylor RDE
- 79 Mike Raines
Vaughn Michael Raines is a former professional Canadian football player who played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League for three different teams. He later played in the United States Football League. He was named CFL All-Star in 1980 and 1981.-References:...
DE |
|
Linebackers
95 Herb Spencer LOLB
51 Freddie Smith Freddie Smith is an American television actor. He is known for his portrayal as Marco Salazar in the new franchise of 90210 aired on The CW...
LILB
53 Rich D'Amico RILB
57 Dallas HickmanDallas Mark Hickman is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of California and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1975 NFL Draft....
LB/DE
56 Mike Murphy LB
60 Melvin Land LB
Defensive Backs
- 26 David Evans LCB
- 49 Mike Thomas RCB
- 20 Emmuel Thompson CB
- 44 Billy Cesare SS
- 37 David Smilo FS
- 21 Charles Grandjean SS
- 42 Mike Hatchett SS
Special Teams
- 4 Scott Norwood
Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
K
- 8 Skip Johnston P
- 65 Joe Bock
Joseph Alan Bock is a former American professional football player.-Biography:Bock was born in Rochester, New York, USA. He attended East Rochester High School and played college football at the University of Virginia from 1977-1981...
LS |
|
Developmental Squad
14 Jay Venuto QB
45 Billy White William "Billy" White is a former English footballer.-Playing career:White joined Burnley from the Liverpool based Clubmoor Boys' Club in 1954, going on to score four times in his nine league outings for the Clarets...
RB
40 Cornelius Quarles FB
71 Pat Phenix OT
70 Mark Goodspeed OT
76 Reggie LewisReggie Lewis was an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics from 1987 to 1993.-Early life:...
DE
50 Larry McPherson LB
28 Frank ReedFrank "Tchallah" Reed , is the current lead singer of the vocal group known as The Chi-Lites.-Career:Reed joined the Chi-Lites in 1988, as the successor to former lead singer Eugene Record...
FS
56 Danny Crosby LB |
|
Injured Reserve
10 Reggie Collier Reginald C. Collier is a former professional American football player. Best known as a dynamic college football star, Collier had a short-lived professional career in both the United States Football League and National Football League.Collier played collegiate football as a quarterback for the The...
QB
90 Wendell Ray LB
58 Sammy GreenSamuel Lee "Sammy" Green is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League for five seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s...
LB
71 Pat Phenix OT
70 Mark Goodspeed OT
Rookies in italics
43 Active, 7 Developmental |
1984 Season
With the off-season signing of former NFL'ers quarterback
Cliff StoudtClifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
, running back
Joe CribbsJoe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
, full back Leon Perry, defensive end
Dave PureiforyDave Pureifory was a professional American football defensive lineman for three teams in an eleven-year career in the National Football League.-Early life:...
and CFL cornerback
Ricky RayRicky Ray is a Canadian and American football quarterback who has played in the Canadian Football League and af2, as well as spending time on a roster in the National Football League...
, the Stallions outlook for the 1984 campaign was bright.
Coach Dotsch shored up several areas, including the defensive line where three players from the 1983 squad were let go. Also added to the lineup was a college free agent in safety
Chuck Clanton-Biography:Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League, Clanton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and...
who burst onto the scene with the Stallions in 1984 as a major force on a re-build defense.
The Stallions also employed a re-vamped defense with a regular "Nickel" formation featuring, two linebackers and 5 defensive backs - one of the first defenses of its kind utilized in the USFL (the
San Antonio GunslingersThe San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team based in San Antonio, Texas that played in the USFL in 1984 and 1985. Rick Neuheisel was the team's quarterback and only recognizable name. The team played in Alamo Stadium...
were the other team to feature the nickel defense as well in 1984).
The Stallions' first game of the 1984 campaign was before a league record 62,500 fans at Legion Field against another re-constructed club in the
New Jersey GeneralsThe New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. The team played three seasons from 1983-85, winning 31 regular-season games and losing 25 while going 0-2 in postseason competition...
. With the Generals arriving in town like a circus with new owner
Donald TrumpDonald John Trump, Sr. is an American business magnate, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have...
, running back
Herschel WalkerHerschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...
and quarterback
Brian SipeBrian Winfield Sipe is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League from 1984 to 1985....
in tow, Birmingham was abuzz with anticipation for the new season.
The opening game against New Jersey was broadcast on national television on ABC, however, the Stallions were listless in a 17-6 loss to the Generals to start the season.
However, the game would mark the start of a nine-game unbeaten streak that took the Stallions into a May 6 contest at Legion Field with a 9-1 record against the 9-1 Philadelphia Stars. In its biggest game since the opener against New Jersey, the Stallions came up flat in a 43-11 spanking at the hands of the Stars who would go onto win the 1984 USFL Championsihp.
The game against the Stars drew a crowd of 49,500, however, the loss sullied interest in the team for the rest of the season as the club averaged only averaged 27,000 fans per game for their last four home games, despite chalking up a 14-4 record. The decline was also blamed on the USFL's decision decision in May to move to a fall schedule for the 1986 season - a scenario that transpired in several USFL markets.
With their 14-4 mark, the Stallions captured the Southern Division Championship and a berth in the USFL playoffs with a 35-20 win over the
Memphis ShowboatsThe Memphis Showboats were a franchise in the United States Football League. They entered the league in its expansion in 1984 and made the 1985 playoffs, losing in the semifinal round to the Oakland Invaders...
in Week #17 at a sold-out
Liberty BowlThe Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003...
.
In the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, the Stallions defeated their southern division rivals the
Tampa Bay BanditsThe Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
with a convincing 36-16 win at Legion Field in front of 32,000.
One week later, the Stallions dropped the Eastern Conference Championship, 20-10 to the Philadelphia Stars in a game played at
Franklin FieldFranklin Field is the University of Pennsylvania's stadium for football, field hockey, lacrosse, sprint football, and track and field . It is also used by Penn students for recreation, and for intramural and club sports, including touch football and cricket, and is the site of Penn's graduation...
. The venue was moved to the University of Pennsylvania campus when Veterans Stadium was occupied by the Philadelphia Phillies.
1984 Birmingham Stallions Opening Day Roster
| Birmingham Stallions 1984 Opening Day Roster (at 26-Feb-84) |
Quarterbacks
- 18 Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
- 12 Bobby Lane
Running Backs
- 20 Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
RB
- 23 Earl Gant RB
- 33 Lonnie Johnson
Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
RB/KR
- 32 Ken Talton FB
- 30 Leon Perry FB
Wide Receivers
- 86 Jim Smith
Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
- 82 Ron Frederick
- 4 Joey Jones
For other persons named Joey Jones, see Joey Jones.For other similarly named people, see Joseph Jones or Joe Jones.Joseph Patrick "Joey" Jones is a former Wales international football full-back who played for Liverpool for three seasons, including the 1977 season, in which they chased "the...
- 85 Ken Toler
Tight Ends
- 81 Darryl Mason
- 89 Robin Earl
Robin Daniel Earl is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Chicago Bears ....
|
|
Offensive Linemen
72 Robert Woods LT
71 Pat Phenix RT
78 Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
LG
74 Pat Saindon RG
59 Mark Battaglia G/C
64 Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
G
54 Tom BanksThomas Banks is a former American football center who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals. He later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in 1983 and 1984....
C
Defensive Linemen
- 98 Jackie Cline LDT
- 75 Jimmy Walker
James John Walker, often known as Jimmy Walker and colloquially as Beau James , was the mayor of New York City from 1926 to 1932...
RDT
- 95 Joe Cugliari DT
- 78 Dave Pureifory
Dave Pureifory was a professional American football defensive lineman for three teams in an eleven-year career in the National Football League.-Early life:...
LDE
- 57 Dallas Hickman
Dallas Mark Hickman is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of California and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1975 NFL Draft....
RDE
- 69 Mike Perko DE
- 90 Joe Gary DE
|
|
Linebackers
55 Herb Spencer LLB
52 Dan Gooch RLB
56 Mike Murphy LB
50 Milton Fields LB
58 Taft Sales LB
Defensive Backs
- 21 Dennis Woodberry
Dennis Earl Woodberry is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins and in the United States Football League for the Birmingham Stallions. Woodberry played college football at Southern Arkansas University....
LCB
- 27 Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray is a Canadian and American football quarterback who has played in the Canadian Football League and af2, as well as spending time on a roster in the National Football League...
RCB
- 41 Fred Bohannon
Frederick Jerome Bohannon is a former American football defensive back who played one season in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.-Early life:Bohannon was born in Birmingham, Alabama and attended Woodlawn High School...
FS
- 26 David Evans NB
- 24 Chuck Clanton
-Biography:Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League, Clanton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and...
FS
- 34 Robert Gentry SS
Special Teams
- 4 Scott Norwood
Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
K
- 8 Skip Johnston P
|
|
Developmental Squad
11 Phil Kessel Philip Joseph Kessel, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey forward, and an alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Kessel is a product of USA Hockey's National Development Team and became that program's all-time leader for goals and points in his final...
QB
35 Mike HortonDr. Michael "Mike" William Horton II is a fictional character on the soap opera Days of our Lives. He was named after Mickey Horton, who was thought to be his father, and Bill Horton, his father. Mickey and Bill were brothers. Michael's mother was Mickey's wife Dr...
RB/KR
25 Ken Simon RB
80 Joe Hartsfield WR
88 Jay Repko TE
76 Phil Boren T
97 Larry Curtis DT
53 Thomas BoydThomas Boyd is a former linebacker in the National Football League. Boyd was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the eighth round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He would later play with the Detroit Lions during the 1987 NFL season....
LB
60 Dan Niederhofer LS |
|
Injured Reserve
63 Fred Anderson Fred Anderson may refer to:*Fred Anderson , former National Football League defensive lineman*Fred Anderson , Major League Baseball player...
DE
51 Max JonesMax Jones is an American Journalist, best known for his role as host of 2011 documentary, The Seoul Sisters and being the founder & an on air personality of positive news network, Felice News...
LB
Rookies in italics
40 Active, 10 Developmental |
1984 Birmingham Stallions Schedule
| Week |
Day |
Date |
Opponent |
Game Site |
Attendance |
Final Score |
W/L |
Record |
| 1 |
Sunday |
February 26, 1984 |
New Jersey Generals The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. The team played three seasons from 1983-85, winning 31 regular-season games and losing 25 while going 0-2 in postseason competition...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
62,500 |
6-17 |
L |
0-1 |
| 2 |
Sunday |
March 4, 1984 |
at Los Angeles Express |
Los Angeles Coliseum |
14,789 |
21-14 |
W |
1-1 |
| 3 |
Sunday |
March 11, 1984 |
at Pittsburgh Maulers The Pittsburgh Maulers competed in the 1984 season of the United States Football League. Their most prominent player was first pick overall in the 1984 USFL draft, running back Mike Rozier of Nebraska, who won the Heisman Trophy, collegiate football's most prestigious individual award.They were...
|
Three Rivers StadiumThree Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
|
53,771 |
30-18 |
W |
2-1 |
| 4 |
Saturday |
March 17, 1984 |
Memphis Showboats The Memphis Showboats were a franchise in the United States Football League. They entered the league in its expansion in 1984 and made the 1985 playoffs, losing in the semifinal round to the Oakland Invaders...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
41,500 |
54-6 |
W |
3-1 |
| 5 |
Monday |
March 26, 1984 |
at Tampa Bay Bandits The Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
|
Tampa Stadium |
37,899 |
27-9 |
W |
4-1 |
| 6 |
Monday |
April 2, 1984 |
New Orleans Breakers |
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
28,100 |
31-17 |
W |
5-1 |
| 7 |
Saturday |
April 7, 1984 |
at Jacksonville Bulls The Jacksonville Bulls were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League during its final two seasons, 1984 and 1985...
|
Gator Bowl The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
|
43,654 |
24-17 |
W |
6-1 |
| 8 |
Sunday |
April 15, 1984 |
at Michigan Panthers The Michigan Panthers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s.-Team history:The Michigan Panthers were named as a charter member of the United States Football League on May 11, 1982....
|
Pontiac Silvedome |
42,655 |
28-17 |
W |
7-1 |
| 9 |
Saturday |
April 21, 1984 |
Oklahoma Outlaws |
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
41,653 |
41-17 |
W |
8-1 |
| 10 |
Sunday |
April 29, 1984 |
at Denver Gold The Denver Gold was a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second major professional football league in the United States, playing a springtime season, from 1983 to 1985...
|
Mile High StadiumMile High Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that stood in Denver, Colorado, from 1948 until 2001.It hosted the Denver Broncos, of the AFL and the NFL, from 1960-2000, the Colorado Rockies, of the National League, of the MLB, from 1993-1994, the Colorado Rapids, of MLS, from 1996-2001, the...
|
35,262 |
31-14 |
W |
9-1 |
| 11 |
Sunday |
May 6, 1984 |
Philadelphia Stars |
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
49,500 |
11-43 |
L |
9-2 |
| 12 |
Friday |
May 11, 1984 |
Jacksonville Bulls The Jacksonville Bulls were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League during its final two seasons, 1984 and 1985...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
29,500 |
42-10 |
W |
10-2 |
| 13 |
Friday |
May 18, 1983 |
at Chicago Blitz The Chicago Blitz were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. They played at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.- Team history :...
|
Soldier FieldSoldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
|
8,578 |
41-7 |
W |
11-2 |
| 14 |
Sunday |
May 27, 1984 |
at New Orleans Breakers |
Louisiana SuperdomeThe Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...
|
23,748 |
31-14 |
W |
12-2 |
| 15 |
Sunday |
June 3, 1984 |
Arizona Wranglers The Arizona Wranglers were a professional American Football team in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. They played at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, a suburb of Phoenix.-Founding:...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
32,500 |
28-38 |
L |
12-3 |
| 16 |
Sunday |
June 10, 1984 |
Washington Federals |
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
22,100 |
42-21 |
W |
13-3 |
| 17 |
Saturday |
June 16, 1984 |
at Memphis Showboats The Memphis Showboats were a franchise in the United States Football League. They entered the league in its expansion in 1984 and made the 1985 playoffs, losing in the semifinal round to the Oakland Invaders...
|
Liberty BowlThe Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003...
|
50,079 |
35-20 |
W |
14-3 |
| 18 |
Saturday |
July 2, 1984 |
Tampa Bay Bandits The Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
24,500 |
16-17 |
L |
14-4 |
| *QF |
Sunday |
July 1, 1984 |
Tampa Bay Bandits The Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
32,000 |
36-16 |
W |
1-0 |
| *SF |
Sunday |
July 8, 1984 |
at Philadelphia Stars |
Franklin FieldFranklin Field is the University of Pennsylvania's stadium for football, field hockey, lacrosse, sprint football, and track and field . It is also used by Penn students for recreation, and for intramural and club sports, including touch football and cricket, and is the site of Penn's graduation...
|
26,616 |
10-20 |
L |
1-1 |
1984 Birmingham Stallions End of Season Roster
| Birmingham Stallions 1984 End of Season Roster (at 24-Jun-84) |
Quarterbacks
- 18 Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
- 12 Bobby Lane
Running Backs
- 20 Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
RB
- 23 Earl Gant RB
- 33 Lonnie Johnson
Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
RB/KR
- 32 Ken Talton FB
- 30 Leon Perry FB
- 28 Andre Thomas FB
Wide Receivers
- 86 Jim Smith
Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
- 82 Ron Frederick
- 4 Joey Jones
For other persons named Joey Jones, see Joey Jones.For other similarly named people, see Joseph Jones or Joe Jones.Joseph Patrick "Joey" Jones is a former Wales international football full-back who played for Liverpool for three seasons, including the 1977 season, in which they chased "the...
- 85 Ken Toler
- 80 Joe Hartsfield
Tight Ends
- 81 Darryl Mason
- 89 Robin Earl
Robin Daniel Earl is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Chicago Bears ....
- 88 Jay Repko
|
|
Offensive Linemen
72 Robert Woods LT
71 Pat Phenix RT
78 Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
LG
74 Pat Saindon RG
59 Mark Battaglia G/C
64 Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
G
54 Tom BanksThomas Banks is a former American football center who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals. He later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in 1983 and 1984....
C
Defensive Linemen
- 98 Jackie Cline LDT
- 95 Joe Cugliari RDT
- 78 Dave Pureifory
Dave Pureifory was a professional American football defensive lineman for three teams in an eleven-year career in the National Football League.-Early life:...
LDE
- 69 Mike Perko DE
- 99 Ronnie Paggett DE
- 93 Ray Coley DE
|
|
Linebackers
55 Herb Spencer LLB
52 Billy Roe Billy Roe , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 1997-1998 and 2000-2002 seasons with 16 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His best IRL finish was a 12th place at Nashville Speedway in 2001. In the 1997 Las Vegas Motor Speedway race, he fielded his own car...
MLB
58 Taft Sales RLB
56 Mike Murphy LB
53 Thomas BoydThomas Boyd is a former linebacker in the National Football League. Boyd was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the eighth round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He would later play with the Detroit Lions during the 1987 NFL season....
LB
Defensive Backs
- 45 Von Mansfield
-Career:Mansfield was drafted in the fifth round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons and played that season with the Philadelphia Eagles. After four years away from the NFL, he played with the Green Bay Packers during the 1987 NFL season....
LCB
- 27 Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray is a Canadian and American football quarterback who has played in the Canadian Football League and af2, as well as spending time on a roster in the National Football League...
RCB
- 22 Don Burrell CB
- 26 David Evans FS
- 41 Fred Bohannon
Frederick Jerome Bohannon is a former American football defensive back who played one season in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.-Early life:Bohannon was born in Birmingham, Alabama and attended Woodlawn High School...
FS
- 34 Robert Gentry SS
Special Teams
- 1 Danny Miller K
- 89 Bob Parsons
Bob Parsons is an American entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of The Go Daddy Group, Inc., a family of companies comprising three ICANN-accredited domain name registrars, including flagship registrar GoDaddy.com, reseller registrar Wild West Domains and Blue Razor Domains...
P |
|
Developmental Squad
11 Phil Kessel Philip Joseph Kessel, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey forward, and an alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Kessel is a product of USA Hockey's National Development Team and became that program's all-time leader for goals and points in his final...
QB
84 Jim BrownJames Nathaniel "Jim" Brown is an American former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News...
TE
97 Larry Curtis DT
52 Dan Gooch LB
51 Max JonesMax Jones is an American Journalist, best known for his role as host of 2011 documentary, The Seoul Sisters and being the founder & an on air personality of positive news network, Felice News...
LB
21 Dennis WoodberryDennis Earl Woodberry is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins and in the United States Football League for the Birmingham Stallions. Woodberry played college football at Southern Arkansas University....
CB |
|
Injured Reserve
76 Phil Boren OT
62 Scott LaFond OG
4 Scott Norwood Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
K
Rookies in italics
43 Active, 7 Developmental |
1985 Season
After having a very successful 1984 season and coming to within a win of the USFL Championship game, the Stallions entered 1985 with high hopes.
Like most USFL teams, the Stallions exercised more fiscal responsibility in 1985 and made only minor upgrades to their roster in the off-season. The only notable addition during the off-season was defensive tackle
Doug SmithDouglas Arthur Smith is a former National Football League defensive tackle who played eight seasons for the Houston Oilers. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League....
who was a 2nd round pick by the Houston Oilers in 1984. Smith, an Auburn graduate, was a territorial selection of the Stallions in 1984, and signed with the Stallions after being unable to come to a contract agreement with the Oilers.
After acquiring the first overall pick in the 1985 USFL Open Draft, the Stallions selected a wide receiver from Mississippi Valley State University named
Jerry RiceJerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history...
. The USFL draft was held in January 1985, however, when the NFL Draft was held four months later, Rice was considered a "project" by several NFL scouting staffs and dropped to the 16th overall pick to the
San Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
.
Although Rice signed with the '49ers, credit should be given to GM Jerry Sklar and his staff for realizing the potential of Rice well ahead of most other other professional scouting staffs.
With the USFL from 18 to 14 teams, the Stallions also acquired some solid depth in safety David Dumars from the Denver Gold, offensive tackle
Phil McKinnelyPhilip Byron "Phil" McKinnely is a former American football offensive tackle who played seven seasons in the NFL, mainly for the Atlanta Falcons, and then in the USFL for the Memphis Showboats...
from the Memphis Showboats, linebacker Ken Kelley from the Chicago Blitz and defensive back
Mickey SuttonWilliam Earl "Mickey" Sutton is a former professional cornerback in the Canadian Football League , the United States Football League , and the National Football League...
from the Pittsburgh Maulers.
Birmingham opened the season, as they did in 1984, by hosting the
New Jersey GeneralsThe New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. The team played three seasons from 1983-85, winning 31 regular-season games and losing 25 while going 0-2 in postseason competition...
at Legion Field. The game featured the USFL debut of 1984 Heisman Trophy winner
Doug FlutieDouglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
at quarterback for the Generals. In front of 34,785 at
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
, the Stallions controlled the majority of the game and won their opener, 38-28 over New Jersey.
The Stallions jumped out to a 5-1 record in 1985 and finished the regular season on a 6-1 clip to claim the Eastern Conference title and the #2 seed in the USFL Playoffs with a 13-5-0 mark. Only the
Oakland InvadersOakland Invaders was a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League from 1983 through 1985.-In reaction to the Raiders relocating to Los Angeles:...
had a better record in 1985 with a 13-4-1 record.
Quarterback
Cliff StoudtClifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
had a solid season passing for 3,358 yards, 34 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Stoudt's 34 touchdown passes was second only to Houston's
Jim KellyJames Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers....
who tossed for 39 majors in 1985.
Stoudt's primary target in 1985 was wide receiver
Jim SmithJim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
who had a career year catching a USFL record 20 touchdown passes. Smith caught 87 passes for a league leading 1,322 yards and was named to the USFL All-Star team.
Runningback
Joe CribbsJoe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
recorded his second consecutive 1,000+ yard season with 1,047 yards on 267 carries and 7 touchdowns.
Safety
Chuck Clanton-Biography:Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League, Clanton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and...
also set a professional football record with 16 interceptions in 1985 as he also added 275 returns yards and a major picking off passes. The NFL record of 14 in a season was set in 1952 by Dick 'Night Train' Lane of the Los Angeles Rams. The CFL record of 15 in a season was set in 1972 by
Al BrennerAllen Ray Brenner was a football player in the Canadian Football League for seven years.-Football career:...
of the Calgary Stampeders.
In the USFL Quarter-Final, the Stallions defeated the visiting
Houston GamblersThe Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Gamblers were coached by veteran NFL head coach Jack Pardee in both their seasons...
22-20, at Legion Field.
The following week, the Stallions hosted the defending champion, and nemesis, the
Baltimore StarsThe Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars were a professional American football team which played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s. They were owned by real estate magnate Myles Tanenbaum. They were the league's dominant team, playing in all three championship games and winning two of...
at Legion Field. After losing to the Stars in the Eastern Conference final in 1984, the Stallions were hoping to exact revenge, however, they dropped a 28-14 decision to Baltimore in what would eventually be Birmingham's last USFL game.
1985 Birmingham Stallions Opening Day Roster
| Birmingham Stallions 1985 Opening Day Roster (at 26-Feb-85) |
Quarterbacks
- 18 Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
- 12 Bobby Lane
Running Backs
- 20 Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
RB
- 23 Earl Gant RB
- 42 Paul Ott Carruth
Paul Ott Carruth is a former running back in the National Football League and the United States Football League.-Career:Carruth played three seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He would spend his final NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL...
RB/KR
- 35 Joel Coles FB
- 30 Leon Perry FB
Wide Receivers
- 86 Jim Smith
Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
- 80 Thad McFadden
- 4 Joey Jones
For other persons named Joey Jones, see Joey Jones.For other similarly named people, see Joseph Jones or Joe Jones.Joseph Patrick "Joey" Jones is a former Wales international football full-back who played for Liverpool for three seasons, including the 1977 season, in which they chased "the...
- 85 Ken Toler
Tight Ends
- 81 Darryl Mason
- 89 Robin Earl
Robin Daniel Earl is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Chicago Bears ....
|
|
Offensive Linemen
73 Phil McKinnelyPhilip Byron "Phil" McKinnely is a former American football offensive tackle who played seven seasons in the NFL, mainly for the Atlanta Falcons, and then in the USFL for the Memphis Showboats...
LT
79 Lindsey MasonLindsey Michael Mason is a former professional American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 3rd round of the 1978 NFL Draft...
RT
78 Buddy AydeletteWilliam Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
LG
74 Pat Saindon RG
59 Mark Battaglia C
64 Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
C/G
Defensive Linemen
- 98 Jackie Cline LDT
- 97 Doug Smith
Douglas Arthur Smith is a former National Football League defensive tackle who played eight seasons for the Houston Oilers. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League....
RDT
- 70 Malcolm Taylor
Malcolm Taylor is a former professional American football defensive end in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Houston Oilers , the Los Angeles Raiders , and the Atlanta Falcons ....
DT
- 78 Dave Pureifory
Dave Pureifory was a professional American football defensive lineman for three teams in an eleven-year career in the National Football League.-Early life:...
LDE
- 76 Don Reese
Donald Francis Reese was an American football defensive end who played in the National Football League. After playing college football at Jackson State University, Reese was a 1st round selection of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins...
RDE
- 99 Ronnie Paggett DE
- 91 Mike St. Clair
Richard Michael St. Clair is a former professional American football player who played defensive end for seven seasons for the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals....
DE |
|
Linebackers
55 Herb Spencer LLB
52 Billy Roe Billy Roe , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 1997-1998 and 2000-2002 seasons with 16 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His best IRL finish was a 12th place at Nashville Speedway in 2001. In the 1997 Las Vegas Motor Speedway race, he fielded his own car...
MLB
56 Ken Kelley RLB
52 Thomas BoydThomas Boyd is a former linebacker in the National Football League. Boyd was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the eighth round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He would later play with the Detroit Lions during the 1987 NFL season....
LB
57 Doak FieldDoak Field is a baseball venue which opened in 1966 as home to the North Carolina State University Wolfpack college baseball team of the NCAA's Division I Atlantic Coast Conference . The stadium is located in Raleigh, North Carolina on NC State's West Campus, behind Lee and Sullivan residence...
LB
58 Taft Sales LB
Defensive Backs
- 21 Dennis Woodberry
Dennis Earl Woodberry is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins and in the United States Football League for the Birmingham Stallions. Woodberry played college football at Southern Arkansas University....
LCB
- 26 David Evans RCB
- 25 Mickey Sutton
William Earl "Mickey" Sutton is a former professional cornerback in the Canadian Football League , the United States Football League , and the National Football League...
CB
- 43 Fletcher Louallen CB
- 24 Chuck Clanton
-Biography:Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League, Clanton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and...
FS
- 22 David Dumars SS
- 31 Ted Walton FS
- 40 Larry Friday
Lawrence D. "Larry" Friday is a former professional American football defensive back in the National Football League. He saw action in one game for the Buffalo Bills in 1987.-External links:*...
SS
Special Teams
- 1 Danny Miller K
- 87 Bob Parsons
Bob Parsons is an American entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of The Go Daddy Group, Inc., a family of companies comprising three ICANN-accredited domain name registrars, including flagship registrar GoDaddy.com, reseller registrar Wild West Domains and Blue Razor Domains...
P
- 65 Joe Bock
Joseph Alan Bock is a former American professional football player.-Biography:Bock was born in Rochester, New York, USA. He attended East Rochester High School and played college football at the University of Virginia from 1977-1981...
LS |
|
Developmental Squad
14 Tom Rozantz QB
28 Andre Thomas RB
84 Jim BrownJames Nathaniel "Jim" Brown is an American former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News...
TE
71 Pat Phenix OT
62 Scott LaFond OG
90 Mike Simeta DT
69 Mike Perko DE |
|
Injured Reserve
None
Rookies in italics
43 Active, 7 Developmental |
1985 Birmingham Stallions Schedule
| Week |
Day |
Date |
Opponent |
Game Site |
Attendance |
Final Score |
W/L |
Record |
| 1 |
Sunday |
February 26, 1985 |
New Jersey Generals The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. The team played three seasons from 1983-85, winning 31 regular-season games and losing 25 while going 0-2 in postseason competition...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
34,785 |
38-28 |
W |
1-0 |
| 2 |
Sunday |
March 3, 1985 |
Denver Gold The Denver Gold was a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second major professional football league in the United States, playing a springtime season, from 1983 to 1985...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
27,400 |
23-40 |
L |
1-1 |
| 3 |
Saturday |
March 9, 1985 |
at Orlando Renegades The Orlando Renegades were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s.-In Washington:-1983 season:...
|
Orlando Stadium Orlando Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. The stadium was originally built in 1959, at a cost of £37,500, with a capacity of 24,000....
|
25,831 |
34-10 |
W |
2-1 |
| 4 |
Saturday |
March 16, 1985 |
Memphis Showboats The Memphis Showboats were a franchise in the United States Football League. They entered the league in its expansion in 1984 and made the 1985 playoffs, losing in the semifinal round to the Oakland Invaders...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
34,500 |
34-19 |
W |
3-1 |
| 5 |
Sunday |
March 24, 1985 |
at Baltimore Stars The Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars were a professional American football team which played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s. They were owned by real estate magnate Myles Tanenbaum. They were the league's dominant team, playing in all three championship games and winning two of...
|
Byrd StadiumCapital One Field at Byrd Stadium , is an outdoor athletic stadium on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. It is the home of the Maryland Terrapins football and lacrosse teams, which compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference...
|
14,529 |
7-3 |
W |
4-1 |
| 6 |
Saturday |
March 30, 1985 |
Jacksonville Bulls The Jacksonville Bulls were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League during its final two seasons, 1984 and 1985...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
41,200 |
25-18 |
W |
5-1 |
| 7 |
Sunday |
April 7, 1985 |
at San Antonio Gunslingers The San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team based in San Antonio, Texas that played in the USFL in 1984 and 1985. Rick Neuheisel was the team's quarterback and only recognizable name. The team played in Alamo Stadium...
|
Alamo Stadium Alamo Stadium is a horseshoe-shaped football stadium in San Antonio, Texas. Nicknamed "the rock pile" due to its primarily limestone construction it was completed in September 1940 as a Works Progress Administration project. The stadium is currently owned and operated by the San Antonio Independent...
|
8,873 |
14-15 |
L |
5-2 |
| 8 |
Saturday |
April 13, 1985 |
Oakland Invaders Oakland Invaders was a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League from 1983 through 1985.-In reaction to the Raiders relocating to Los Angeles:...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
44,500 |
20-17 |
W |
6-2 |
| 9 |
Saturday |
April 20, 1985 |
Tampa Bay Bandits The Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
28,900 |
30-3 |
W |
7-2 |
| 10 |
Sunday |
April 28, 1985 |
at Jacksonville Bulls The Jacksonville Bulls were a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League during its final two seasons, 1984 and 1985...
|
Gator Bowl The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
|
41,298 |
17-27 |
L |
7-3 |
| 11 |
Friday |
May 3, 1985 |
at Memphis Showboats The Memphis Showboats were a franchise in the United States Football League. They entered the league in its expansion in 1984 and made the 1985 playoffs, losing in the semifinal round to the Oakland Invaders...
|
Liberty BowlThe Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003...
|
29,025 |
24-38 |
L |
7-4 |
| 12 |
Saturday |
May 11, 1985 |
Portland Breakers The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
28,500 |
14-0 |
W |
8-4 |
| 13 |
Sunday |
May 19, 1985 |
at Los Angeles Express |
Los Angeles Coliseum |
4,658 |
44-7 |
W |
9-4 |
| 14 |
Monday |
May 27, 1985 |
Orlando Renegades The Orlando Renegades were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s.-In Washington:-1983 season:...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
24,500 |
41-17 |
W |
10-4 |
| 15 |
Monday |
June 3, 1985 |
at Houston Gamblers The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Gamblers were coached by veteran NFL head coach Jack Pardee in both their seasons...
|
Astrodome |
13,202 |
29-27 |
W |
11-4 |
| 16 |
Saturday |
June 8, 1985 |
Baltimore Stars The Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars were a professional American football team which played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s. They were owned by real estate magnate Myles Tanenbaum. They were the league's dominant team, playing in all three championship games and winning two of...
|
Byrd StadiumCapital One Field at Byrd Stadium , is an outdoor athletic stadium on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. It is the home of the Maryland Terrapins football and lacrosse teams, which compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference...
|
24,300 |
14-7 |
W |
12-4 |
| 17 |
Saturday |
June 15, 1985 |
at Tampa Bay Bandits The Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
|
Tampa Stadium |
42,131 |
14-17 |
L |
12-5 |
| 18 |
Sunday |
June 23, 1985 |
at New Jersey Generals The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. The team played three seasons from 1983-85, winning 31 regular-season games and losing 25 while going 0-2 in postseason competition...
|
Giants StadiumGiants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
|
44,098 |
14-6 |
W |
13-5 |
| *QF |
Saturday |
June 29, 1985 |
Houston Gamblers The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Gamblers were coached by veteran NFL head coach Jack Pardee in both their seasons...
|
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
18,500 |
22-20 |
W |
1-0 |
| *SF |
Sunday |
July 7, 1985 |
Philadelphia Stars |
Legion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|
23,250 |
14-28 |
L |
1-1 |
1985 Birmingham Stallions End of Season Roster
| Birmingham Stallions 1985 End of Season Roster (at 23-Jun-85) |
Quarterbacks
- 18 Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
- 12 Bobby Lane
Running Backs
- 20 Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
RB
- 42 Paul Ott Carruth
Paul Ott Carruth is a former running back in the National Football League and the United States Football League.-Career:Carruth played three seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He would spend his final NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL...
RB/KR
- 35 Joel Coles FB
- 28 Andre Thomas FB
Wide Receivers
- 86 Jim Smith
Jim Smith is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League...
- 4 Joey Jones
For other persons named Joey Jones, see Joey Jones.For other similarly named people, see Joseph Jones or Joe Jones.Joseph Patrick "Joey" Jones is a former Wales international football full-back who played for Liverpool for three seasons, including the 1977 season, in which they chased "the...
- 85 Ken Toler
- 80 Thad McFadden
Tight Ends
- 81 Darryl Mason
- 89 Robin Earl
Robin Daniel Earl is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Chicago Bears ....
- 88 Jay Repko
|
|
Offensive Linemen
73 Phil McKinnelyPhilip Byron "Phil" McKinnely is a former American football offensive tackle who played seven seasons in the NFL, mainly for the Atlanta Falcons, and then in the USFL for the Memphis Showboats...
LT
71 Pat Phenix RT
72 Franky Smith T
64 Mike TurnerMichael R. Turner is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers most of the city of Dayton and includes most of Montgomery County, much of Warren County, and is home to all of Highland and Clinton Counties.-Early life, education...
LG
74 Pat Saindon RG
62 Scott LaFond G
59 Mark Battaglia G/C
Defensive Linemen
- 98 Jackie Cline LDT
- 97 Doug Smith
Douglas Arthur Smith is a former National Football League defensive tackle who played eight seasons for the Houston Oilers. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League....
RDT
- 70 Malcolm Taylor
Malcolm Taylor is a former professional American football defensive end in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Houston Oilers , the Los Angeles Raiders , and the Atlanta Falcons ....
DT
- 90 Mike Simeta DT
- 78 Dave Pureifory
Dave Pureifory was a professional American football defensive lineman for three teams in an eleven-year career in the National Football League.-Early life:...
LDE
- 69 Mike Perko RDE
- 99 Ronnie Paggett DE
- 54 Dallas Hickman
Dallas Mark Hickman is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of California and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1975 NFL Draft....
DE |
|
Linebackers
55 Herb Spencer LLB
52 Billy Roe Billy Roe , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 1997-1998 and 2000-2002 seasons with 16 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His best IRL finish was a 12th place at Nashville Speedway in 2001. In the 1997 Las Vegas Motor Speedway race, he fielded his own car...
MLB
56 Mike Kelley RLB
57 Greg Gerken LB
53 Thomas BoydThomas Boyd is a former linebacker in the National Football League. Boyd was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the eighth round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He would later play with the Detroit Lions during the 1987 NFL season....
LB
Defensive Backs
- 21 Dennis Woodberry
Dennis Earl Woodberry is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins and in the United States Football League for the Birmingham Stallions. Woodberry played college football at Southern Arkansas University....
LCB
- 26 David Evans RCB
- 25 Mickey Sutton
William Earl "Mickey" Sutton is a former professional cornerback in the Canadian Football League , the United States Football League , and the National Football League...
CB
- 24 Chuck Clanton
-Biography:Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League, Clanton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and...
FS
- 22 David Dumars SS
- 31 Ted Walton SS
Special Teams
- 1 Danny Miller K
- 89 Bob Parsons
Bob Parsons is an American entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of The Go Daddy Group, Inc., a family of companies comprising three ICANN-accredited domain name registrars, including flagship registrar GoDaddy.com, reseller registrar Wild West Domains and Blue Razor Domains...
P
- 65 Joe Bock
Joseph Alan Bock is a former American professional football player.-Biography:Bock was born in Rochester, New York, USA. He attended East Rochester High School and played college football at the University of Virginia from 1977-1981...
LS |
|
Developmental Squad
14 Tom Rozantz QB
37 Ted Sample FB
78 Buddy Aydelette William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
OG
76 Don ReeseDonald Francis Reese was an American football defensive end who played in the National Football League. After playing college football at Jackson State University, Reese was a 1st round selection of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins...
DE
43 Fletcher Louallen CB
34 Robert Gentry FS |
|
Injured Reserve
84 Jim BrownJames Nathaniel "Jim" Brown is an American former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News...
TE
Rookies in italics
43 Active, 6 Developmental |
Stallions Single-season Records
- Rushing attempts; 297 (1984), Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
- Rushing yards: 1467 (1984), Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
- Rushing TDs: 13 (1984), Leon Perry
- Receptions: 89 (1984), Jim Smith
- Receiving yards: 1607 (1984), Jim Smith (USFL record)
- Receiving TDs; 20 (1985), Jim Smith (USFL record)
- Pass Completions: 266 (1985), Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
- Pass Attempts; 444 (1985), Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
- Passing yards: 3188 (1985), Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
- Passing TDs: 35 (1985), Cliff Stoudt
Clifford Lewis Stoudt is a former American football quarterback for Youngstown State University and the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers...
- Kickoff returns: 26 (1985), Paul Ott Carruth
Paul Ott Carruth is a former running back in the National Football League and the United States Football League.-Career:Carruth played three seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He would spend his final NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL...
- Kickoff return yards: 477 (1985), Paul Ott Carruth
Paul Ott Carruth is a former running back in the National Football League and the United States Football League.-Career:Carruth played three seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He would spend his final NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL...
- Kickoff return Avg: 23.2 (1984), Lonnie Johnson
Alonzo "Lonnie" Johnson was an American blues and jazz singer/guitarist and songwriter who pioneered the role of jazz guitar and is recognized as the first to play single-string guitar solos...
- Punt returns: 33 (1985), Thad McFadden
- Punt return yards: 328 (1985), Thad McFadden
- Punt return Avg: 9.9 (1985), Thad McFadden
- Field Goals Made: 25 (1983), Scott Norwood
Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
- Field Goal Attempts: 34 (1983), Scott Norwood
Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
- Punts: 67 (1985), Bob Parsons
Bob Parsons is an American entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of The Go Daddy Group, Inc., a family of companies comprising three ICANN-accredited domain name registrars, including flagship registrar GoDaddy.com, reseller registrar Wild West Domains and Blue Razor Domains...
- Punt Yardage: 2626 (1985), Bob Parsons
Bob Parsons is an American entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of The Go Daddy Group, Inc., a family of companies comprising three ICANN-accredited domain name registrars, including flagship registrar GoDaddy.com, reseller registrar Wild West Domains and Blue Razor Domains...
- Punt Average: 41.4 (1983), Skip Johnston
- Tackles: 149 (1985), Herb Spencer
- Sacks: 10.0 (1984), Dave Pureifory
Dave Pureifory was a professional American football defensive lineman for three teams in an eleven-year career in the National Football League.-Early life:...
- Passes Defensed: 18 (1985), Chuck Clanton
-Biography:Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League, Clanton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and...
- Fumbles Recoveries: 3 (1984), Mike Murphy
- Interceptions: 16 (1985), Chuck Clanton
-Biography:Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League, Clanton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and...
(USFL and Pro Football record)
- Interception yards: 275 (1985), Chuck Clanton
-Biography:Clanton was born Cleveland Edward Clanton III on July 15, 1962 in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:After playing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League, Clanton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and...
(USFL record)
Season-by-season
|-
|1983 ||9||9|| 0 ||4th Central||--
|-
|1984 ||14 || 4 || 0 || 1st EC Southern ||Won Quarterfinal (
Tampa BayThe Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
)
Lost Semifinal (
PhiladelphiaThe Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars were a professional American football team which played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s. They were owned by real estate magnate Myles Tanenbaum. They were the league's dominant team, playing in all three championship games and winning two of...
)
|-
|1985 || 13 || 5 || 0 || 1st EC || Won Quarterfinal (
HoustonThe Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Gamblers were coached by veteran NFL head coach Jack Pardee in both their seasons...
)
Lost Semifinal (
BaltimoreThe Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars were a professional American football team which played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s. They were owned by real estate magnate Myles Tanenbaum. They were the league's dominant team, playing in all three championship games and winning two of...
)
|-
!Totals || 38 || 20 || 0
|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
After football
A few of those associated with the Stallions made their mark in Birmingham after the league folded:
- Joey Jones, who played wide receiver, coached football at two local high schools. In 2006, he became the first head football coach at Birmingham Southern College since 1939, when football was cancelled as a varsity sport. In 2008, after just one year at BSC, he returned to his hometown of Mobile and started the college football program at the University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama is a public, doctoral-level university in Mobile, Alabama, USA. It was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1963, and replaced existing extension programs operated in Mobile by the University of Alabama. No other areas of the state were willing to support such a...
.
- Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
returned to the NFL to finish out his football career. He returned to Birmingham to help those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
- Jim Hilyer
-References:...
, an assistant coach, went on to be the first ever football coach at the University of Alabama at BirminghamThe University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
. He would also be an assistant to three other pro football teams to play in Birmingham. After football, he was an instructor in physical fitness at the Birmingham Police Academy.
- Buddy Aydelette
William Leslie "Buddy" Aydelette was an American football guard. He began his career with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He would go on to become noteworthy for being the most decorated guard in the history of the rival USFL...
is a city councilman with Trussville. Aydelette played offensive lineman for the Stallions and the University of Alabama.
Other history
The Stallions were the first pro football team to draft
Jerry RiceJerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history...
. They received the overall pick in the 1985 USFL Draft, due to a trade with the
Orlando RenegadesThe Orlando Renegades were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid-1980s.-In Washington:-1983 season:...
. Rice never played in Birmingham.
Among those considered to be Birmingham's coach were
Bobby BowdenRobert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is a retired college football coach. He coached the Florida State Seminoles football team from the 1976 to 2009 seasons...
,
Gene StallingsEugene Clifton Stallings, Jr. is a former American football player and coach. He played college football at Texas A&M University , where he was one of the "Junction Boys", and later served as the head coach at his alma mater from 1965 to 1971. Stallings was also the head coach of the St...
, and
Hank StramHenry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
.
External links