Category: World Football League

1975 Hawaiians Program from the World Football League

The Hawaiians

The Hawaiians pro football team was the first North American major pro sports franchise based outside the continental United States and Canada. The team was part of the rebel World Football League (1974-1975), formed to challenge the NFL in the mid-1970’s. Thanks to solid ownership and an alluring locale, the Hawaiians persuaded nearly a dozen NFL veterans to jump to the WFL, including All-Pros John Gilliam, Calvin Hill and Ted Kwalick. But only Hill would ever suit up for the team.

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1975 Philadelphia Bell media guide from the World Football League

Philadelphia Bell

The Philadelphia Bell were one of twelve original franchises in the World Football League in 1974. The Bell made several efforts to poach high profile stars and draft picks from the National Football League during their brief lifespan. But the team was best known for “Papergate”, an attendance reporting and accounting scandal that helped to demolish the fledgling WFL’s credibility barely than a month into its debut season.

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1974 Florida Blazers media guide from the World Football League

Florida Blazers

The 1974 Florida Blazers enjoy a something of a cult following among pro football history buffs.  Fearsome on the field, the franchise was a train wreck in the front office.  The Blazers were put together by Rommie Loudd, a 41-year old former AFL linebacker and New England Patriots executive.  Loudd is occasionally cited as the first African-American owner of a “major league” American sports franchise for his time with the Blazers. But the main money man was a central Florida Holiday Inn franchisee named David Williams.  By December 1974, the Blazers were in the World Bowl championship game of the World Football League, the team’s best player had played the entire season without a paycheck, and Rommie Loudd was under indictment.

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1974 Chicago Fire Media Guide from the World Football League

Chicago Fire (1974)

Not to be confused with the modern day Major League Soccer franchise, the Chicago Fire were founding members of the upstart World Football League in the summer of 1974. The WFL sought to challenge the supremacy of the National Football League as a major league football product and launched raids on NFL rosters. The Fire got off to a promising 7-2 start and drew strong crowds to Soldier Field. But an 11-game losing streak and a series of embarrassing financial setbacks across the league cooled Fire boss Tom Origer’s enthusiasm. The exasperated owner forfeited the Fire’s final game and shuttered the franchise soon afterwards. Rookie receiver James Scott was the Fire’s breakout star. After the demise of the WFL Scott went on to play seven seasons for the Chicago Bears from 1976 to 1983.

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Paul Warfield on the cover of a 1975 Memphis Southmen program from the World Football League

Memphis Southmen

World Football League (1974-1975) Born: May 8, 1974 – The Toronto Northmen move to Memphis, TN Folded: October 22, 1975 First Game: July 10, 1974

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