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Birmingham Stallions

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This article is about the first edition of the USFL. For the present day USFL, see Birmingham Stallions (2022).
Birmingham Stallions
Established 1982
Folded 1985
Played in Legion Field
in Birmingham, Alabama
www.theusfl.com
League/conference affiliations
United States Football League (1982–1985)
  • Eastern Conference (1982–1986)
    • Central Division (1983)
    • Southern Division (1984–1985)
Current uniform
Team colorsRed, Gold, White
     
Personnel
Owner(s)Marvin L. Warner
Others[1]
Head coach1983–1985 Rollie Dotsch (38–18)
Team history
  • Birmingham Stallions (1983–1985)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (2)
1984, 1985
Home stadium(s)

The Birmingham Stallions were a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second professional league of American football in the United States in competition with the National Football League. They played their home games at Birmingham, Alabama's Legion Field. They competed in all three USFL seasons, 1983–1985. During their run, they were one of the USFL's more popular teams, and seemed to have a realistic chance of being a viable venture had the USFL been better run.[2]

The owner was Cincinnati financier and Birmingham native Marvin Warner. The team's coach was Rollie Dotsch, who was previously the offensive line coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers during its Super Bowl years and ended up with the second most wins in USFL history. The Stallions starting quarterback for their final two seasons was Cliff Stoudt, 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 was not 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 Kelly and Chuck Fusina and leading the team to two divisional titles. The Stallions also added Bills star HB Joe Cribbs in 1984. Cribbs led the league in rushing in 1984 and finished 6th in 1985. Former Steeler WR Jim Smith was another of the team's stars. Many other Stallions players would play in the NFL once the USFL went out of existence.

1983 season

Warner was initially slated to be the owner of the USFL's Washington franchise–what became the Washington Federals. However, when he learned that the USFL was putting a franchise in his hometown, he jumped at it. Without Warner's wealth behind them, the Federals were forced to abandon the capital after two seasons and move to Orlando as the Renegades.[3]

The Stallions 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. However, Dotsch managed to mold them into a fairly competitive team that finished 9-9.

Although the team made a splash in signing their first-round draft pick, quarterback Reggie Collier out of Southern Mississippi, the remainder of the Stallions consisted of mostly unsung former NFL reserves and college free agents.

One of the few pro veterans signed was center Tom Banks (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 Stephens (1 year, 16 games with the Jets), OT Robert Woods (8 years, 99 games with the Jets and Saints), OG Buddy Aydelette (1 year, 9 games with the Packers), DE Mike Raines (7 years, 104 games with the CFL Ottawa Rough Riders), DE Reggie P. Lewis (2 years, 22 games with the Buccaneers), LB Dallas Hickman (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 Turner (16th round, Louisiana State). Martin would go on to play for the Green Bay Packers and was involved in an infamous bodyslam tackle of Chicago Bears QB Jim McMahon in 1986 at Soldier Field. 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 Norwood 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 Dotsch and his staff put a patchwork, blue-collar, run-oriented club together.

Prior to the Stallions' sixth game of the season, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jim Smith (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 Invaders 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 on to 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 Field (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 Bills running back Joe Cribbs, who would join the club at the start of the 1984 season. Cribbs, who played his college ball locally for the Auburn Tigers, signed a three-year contract with the Stallions.

1983 opening-day roster

Birmingham Stallions 1983 Opening Day Roster (at 7-Mar-83)
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Developmental squad Injured Reserve


rookies in italics
40 Active, 10 Developmental

1983 Birmingham Stallions Schedule

Week Day Date Opponent Result Record TV Venue Attendance
1 Monday March 7, 1983 Michigan Panthers L7–9 0–1 ESPN Legion Field 30,305
2 Sunday March 13, 1983 at Oakland Invaders W 20–14 (OT) 1–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 47,344
3 Monday March 21, 1983 Philadelphia Stars L 10-17 1–2 ESPN Legion Field 12,850
4 Saturday March 26, 1983 Arizona Wranglers W 16–7 2–2 ESPN Legion Field 5,000
5 Saturday April 2, 1983 at Boston Breakers L 16–27 2–3 Nickerson Field 10,976
6 Sunday April 10, 1983 at Chicago Blitz L 11–22 2–4 ABC Soldier Field 13,859
7 Sunday April 17, 1983 Denver Gold L 7–9 2–5 Legion Field 26,250
8 Sunday April 24, 1993 Oakland Invaders W 21–9 3–5 Legion Field 18,500
9 Sunday May 1, 1983 at Washington Federals W 35–3 4–5 RFK Stadium 12,818
10 Monday May 9, 1983 at New Jersey Generals W 22–7 5–5 ESPN Giants Stadium 38,734
11 Saturday May 14, 1983 Los Angeles Express W 35–20 6–5 ESPN Legion Field 42,212
12 Monday May 23, 1983 at Michigan Panthers W23-20 7–5 ESPN Pontiac Silverdome 20,042
13 Friday May 27, 1983 at Denver Gold L 19–21 7–6 ESPN Mile High Stadium 38,829
14 Sunday June 5, 1983 at Tampa Bay Bandits L 17–45 7–7 ABC Tampa Stadium 35,623
15 Sunday June 12, 1983 Boston Breakers W 31–19 8–7 Legion Field 20,500
16 Friday June 17, 1983 Chicago Blitz L 14–29 8–8 ABC Legion Field 22,500
17 Sunday June 26, 1983 at Philadelphia Stars L 10–31 8–9 Veterans Stadium 17,973
18 Saturday July 2, 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits W 29–17 9–9 ESPN Legion Field 20,300

Sources[4][5][6]

1983 Birmingham Stallions Numerical Roster

No. Name Pos Ht. Wt. College GP/GS
4 Scott Norwood 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 QB 6.03 207 Southern Mississippi 8/5
11 Melvin Williams QB 6.03 200 Mississippi Valley State 10/0
12 Bobby Lane QB 6.03 205 Louisiana State 18/13
14 Jay Venuto QB 6.01 195 Wake Forest 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 CB 5.11 193 Washington 15/14
30 Lonnie Johnson 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 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 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 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 State 13/2
57 Dallas Hickman LB/DE 6.06 238 California 18/16
58 Lester Dickey LB 6.01 225 Missouri 2/2
58 Sammy Green 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 DE 6.03 260 Austin Peay 5/0
64 Mike Turner G/T 6.03 254 Louisiana State 14/2
65 Joe Bock 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 Walker NT 6.02 250 Arkansas 18/16
76 Reggie Lewis DE 6.03 260 North Texas State 14/3
77 Drew Taylor DE 6.05 225 San Jose State 7/4
78 Buddy Aydelette G 6.04 256 Alabama 18/18
79 Mike Raines 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 WR 6.02 205 Michigan 12/10
87 Kevin Miller WR/KR 5.10 180 Louisville 5/1
88 Steve Stephens TE 6.03 227 Oklahoma State 14/3
89 Johnnie Dirden 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 RB 16-4 117 349 3.0 14 2
10 Reggie Collier QB 8-5 39 253 6.5 30 4
30 Lonnie Johnson RB 11-0 52 181 3.5 22 3
12 Bobby Lane RB 18-13 42 178 4.2 32 3
11 Melvin Williams QB 10-0 7 58 8.3 17 0
86 Jim Smith 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 QB 8-5 47-108 604 46 43.5% 1 7 14 132
11 Melvin Williams 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 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 RB 16-4 7 47 6.7 8 0
88 Steve Stephens TE 14-3 6 36 6.0 17 1
85 Johnnie Dirden WR 8-0 3 22 7.3 12 0
31 John Skibinski FB 17-0 2 13 6.5 8 0
30 Lonnie Johnson 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 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 WR/KR 8-0 16 322 20.1 41 0
30 Lonnie Johnson 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 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 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 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 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 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 CB 15-14 59 14 73 1.0 13 1 3 24
75 Jimmy Walker 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 DE 14-3 33 15 48 2.0 0 0 0 0
79 Mike Raines 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 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 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 LG/T 18-18
59 Mark Battaglia RG 18-11
74 Pat Saindon RG 10-6
64 Mike Turner RG/T 14-2
69 Bill Searcey OG 5-0
54 Tom Banks C 18-18

1983 Birmingham Stallions End-of-Season Roster

Birmingham Stallions 1983 End of Season Roster (at 2-Jul-83)
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers Ron Frederick

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Developmental squad Injured Reserve

T
rookies in italics
43 Active, 7 Developmental

1984 season

With the off-season signing of former NFL'ers quarterback Cliff Stoudt, running back Joe Cribbs, full back Leon Perry, defensive end Dave Pureifory and CFL cornerback Ricky Ray, 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 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 Gunslingers were the other team to feature the nickel defense as well in 1984). They already had a reputation as a hard-hitting team, which was thought to be carried over from Dotsch's days with the Steelers.

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 Generals. With the Generals arriving in town like a circus with new owner Donald Trump, running back Herschel Walker and quarterback Brian Sipe 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 on to win the 1984 USFL Championship.

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 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 Showboats in Week #17 at a sold-out Liberty Bowl.

In the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, the Stallions defeated their southern division rivals the Tampa Bay Bandits 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 Field. 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

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Developmental squad Injured Reserve


rookies in italics
40 Active, 10 Developmental

1984 Birmingham Stallions Schedule

Week Day Date Opponent Result Record TV Venue Attendance
Preseason
1 Bye
2 Bye
3 Saturday February 11, 1984 New Orleans Breakers W 30–10 1–0 Legion Field 12,000
4 Saturday February 18, 1984 at San Antonio Gunslingers W 23–15 2–0 Alamo Stadium
Preseason
1 Sunday February 26, 1984 New Jersey Generals L 6–17 0–1 ABC Legion Field 62,500
2 Sunday March 4, 1984 at Los Angeles Express W 21–14 1–1 ABC Los Angeles Coliseum 14,789
3 Sunday March 11, 1984 at Pittsburgh Maulers W 30–18 2–1 Three Rivers Stadium 53,771
4 Saturday March 17, 1984 Memphis Showboats W 54–6 3–1 ESPN Legion Field 41,500
5 Monday March 26, 1984 at Tampa Bay Bandits W 27–9 4–1 ESPN Tampa Stadium 37,899
6 Monday April 2, 1984 New Orleans Breakers W 31–17 5–1 ESPN Legion Field 28,100
7 Saturday April 7, 1984 at Jacksonville Bulls W 24–17 6–1 ESPN Gator Bowl 43,654
8 Sunday April 15, 1984 at Michigan Panthers W 28–17 7–1 ABC Pontiac Silverdome 42,655
— Friday April 20, 1984 Oklahoma Outlaws Postponed; rescheduled for April 21. Legion Field
9 Saturday April 21, 1984 Oklahoma Outlaws W 41–17 8–1 Legion Field 41,653
10 Sunday April 29, 1984 at Denver Gold W 31–14 9–1 ABC Mile High Stadium 35,262
— Friday May 4, 1984 Philadelphia Stars Postponed; rescheduled for May 6. Legion Field
11 Sunday May 6, 1984 Philadelphia Stars L 11–43 9–2 ABC Legion Field 49,500
12 Friday May 11, 1984 Jacksonville Bulls W 42–10 10–2 Legion Field 29,500
13 Friday May 18, 1984 at Chicago Blitz W 41–7 11–2 Soldier Field 8,578
14 Sunday May 27, 1984 at New Orleans Breakers W 31–14 12–2 ABC Louisiana Superdome 23,748
15 Sunday June 3, 1984 Arizona Wranglers L 28–38 12–3 ABC Legion Field 32,500
16 Sunday June 10, 1984 Washington Federals W 42–21 13–3 Legion Field 22,100
17 Saturday June 16, 1984 at Memphis Showboats W 35–20 14–3 ESPN Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium 50,079
18 Saturday June 23, 1984 Tampa Bay Bandits L 16–17 14–4 ABC Legion Field 24,500
Playoffs
Divisional
Playoff 		Sunday July 1, 1984 Tampa Bay Bandits W 36–16 — ABC Legion Field 32,000
Conference
Championship 		Sunday July 8, 1984 vs. Philadelphia Stars L 10–20 — ABC Franklin Field
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 		26,616

Sources[7][8][9]

1984 Birmingham Stallions End-of-Season Roster

Birmingham Stallions 1984 End of Season Roster (at 24-Jun-84)
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Developmental squad Injured Reserve


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. However, the team was nearly derailed in mid-season. On March 4, ESM Government Securities, a Florida-based securities dealer owned by Tampa Bay Bandits co-owner Steve Arky, was raided and shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The ESM raid, and Arky's subsequent suicide, triggered a massive run on Home State Savings Bank, the Cincinnati-based savings and loan Warner controlled, resulting in its seizure by Ohio regulators.

With most of his money tied up in either Home State or the Stallions, Warner was forced to give up control of the Stallions just days after Home State's collapse. The league had required its owners to post a $1.3 million letter of credit for just such an emergency. Unfortunately, the Stallions' letter of credit was backed by Home State, rendering it worthless.

In response, team president Jerry Sklar urged the Stallions' limited partners to chip in more money, and persuaded the city government to buy a $100,000 stake in the team along with a $900,000 credit line. This allowed the Stallions to stay in business and remain in Birmingham.

More or less out of necessity, 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 Smith 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 Rice. 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 49ers.

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 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 McKinnely from the Memphis Showboats, linebacker Ken Kelley from the Chicago Blitz and defensive back Mickey Sutton from the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Birmingham opened the season, as they did in 1984, by hosting the New Jersey Generals at Legion Field. The game featured the USFL debut of 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie at quarterback for the Generals. In front of 34,785 at Legion Field, 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 Invaders had a better record in 1985 with a 13-4-1 record.

Quarterback Cliff Stoudt 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 Kelly who tossed for 39 majors in 1985.

Stoudt's primary target in 1985 was wide receiver Jim Smith 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.

Running back Joe Cribbs recorded his second consecutive 1,000+ yard season with 1,047 yards on 267 carries and 7 touchdowns.

Safety Chuck Clanton 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 Brenner of the Calgary Stampeders.

In the USFL Quarter-Final, the Stallions defeated the visiting Houston Gamblers 22–20, at Legion Field.

The following week, the Stallions hosted the defending champion, and nemesis, the Baltimore Stars 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

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Developmental squad Injured Reserve
  • None


rookies in italics
43 Active, 7 Developmental

1985 Birmingham Stallions Schedule

Week Day Date Opponent Result Record TV Venue Attendance
Preseason
1 Saturday February 2, 1985 at San Antonio Gunslingers T 0–0 0–0–1 Alamo Stadium
2 Bye
3 Saturday February 16, 1985 Houston Gamblers L 10–20 0–1–1 KTXH Legion Field
Regular season
1 Sunday February 24, 1985 New Jersey Generals W 38–28 1–0 ABC Legion Field 34,785
2 Sunday March 3, 1985 Denver Gold L 23–40 1–1 Legion Field 27,400
3 Saturday March 9, 1985 at Orlando Renegades W 34–10 2–1 Orlando Stadium 25,831
4 Saturday March 16, 1985 Memphis Showboats W 34–19 3–1 Legion Field 34,500
5 Sunday March 24, 1985 at Baltimore Stars W 7–3 4–1 Byrd Stadium 14,529
6 Saturday March 30, 1985 Jacksonville Bulls W 25–18 5–1 Legion Field 41,200
7 Sunday April 7, 1985 at San Antonio Gunslingers L 14–15 5–2 Alamo Stadium 8,873
8 Saturday April 13, 1985 Oakland Invaders W 20–17 6–2 ESPN Legion Field 44,500
9 Saturday April 20, 1985 Tampa Bay Bandits W 30–3 7-2 ESPN Legion Field 28,900
10 Sunday April 28, 1985 at Jacksonville Bulls L 17–27 7–3 ABC Gator Bowl 41,298
11 Friday May 3, 1985 at Memphis Showboats L 24–38 7–4 ESPN Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium 29,025
12 Saturday May 11, 1985 Portland Breakers W 14–0 8–4 ESPN Legion Field 28,500
13 Sunday May 19, 1985 at Los Angeles Express W 44–7 9–4 Los Angeles Coliseum 4,658
14 Monday May 27, 1985 Orlando Renegades W 41-17 10–4 ESPN Legion Field 24,500
15 Monday June 3, 1985 at Houston Gamblers W 29–27 11–4 ESPN Houston Astrodome 13,202
16 Saturday June 8, 1985 Baltimore Stars W 14–7 12–4 ESPN Byrd Stadium 24,300
17 Saturday June 15, 1985 at Tampa Bay Bandits L 14–17 12–5 Tampa Stadium 42,131
18 Sunday June 23, 1985 at New Jersey Generals W 14–6 13–5 ABC Giants Stadium 44,098
Playoffs
Quarterfinals Saturday June 29, 1985 Houston Gamblers W 22–20 — ABC Legion Field 18,500
Semifinals Sunday July 7, 1985 Baltimore Stars L 14–28 — ABC Legion Field 23,250

Sources[10][11][12]

1985 Birmingham Stallions End of Season Roster

Birmingham Stallions 1985 End of Season Roster (at 23-Jun-85)
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Developmental squad Injured Reserve


rookies in italics
43 Active, 6 Developmental

Single-season records

Season-by-season

Season records
Season W L T Finish Playoff results
1983 9 9 0 4th Central --
1984 14 4 0 1st EC Southern Won Quarterfinal (Tampa Bay)
Lost Semifinal (Philadelphia)
1985 13 5 0 1st EC Won Quarterfinal (Houston)
Lost Semifinal (Baltimore)
Totals 38 20 0 (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.
  • Joe Cribbs 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, an assistant coach, went on to be the first ever football coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 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 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 Rice. They received the first overall pick in the 1985 USFL Draft, due to a trade with the Orlando Renegades. Rice never played in Birmingham.

Among those considered to be Birmingham's coach were Bobby Bowden, Gene Stallings, and Hank Stram.

References

  1. ^ "Remember the USFL - Birmingham Stallions". Archived from the original on 2005-03-15. Retrieved 2005-04-26.
  2. ^ "Birmingham Stallions - USFL (United States Football League)".
  3. ^ Pearlman, Jeff (2018). Football For A Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0544454385.
  4. ^ statscrew.com 1983 Birmingham Stallions Game-by-Game Results Retrieved January 5, 2019
  5. ^ usflsite.com 1983 USFL Season Retrieved January 5, 2019
  6. ^ profootballarchives.com 1983 Birmingham Stallions (USFL) Retrieved January 5, 2019
  7. ^ statscrew.com 1984 Birmingham Stallions Game-by-Game Results Retrieved January 5, 2019
  8. ^ usflsite.com 1984 USFL Season Retrieved January 5, 2019
  9. ^ profootballarchives.com 1984 Birmingham Stallions (USFL) Retrieved January 5, 2019
  10. ^ statscrew.com 1985 Birmingham Stallions Game-by-Game Results Retrieved January 5, 2019
  11. ^ usflsite.com 1985 USFL Season Retrieved January 5, 2019
  12. ^ profootballarchives.com 1985 Birmingham Stallions (USFL) Retrieved January 5, 2019
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