History of Birmingham Stallions in Timeline
The Birmingham Stallions were a professional football team in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985. They played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and were known for their popularity. Despite facing challenges due to the USFL's instability, the Stallions showed potential for success.
May 14, 1983: Stallions' Victory Over Los Angeles Express
The Birmingham Stallions achieved a significant victory in Week 11 of the 1983 season, defeating the Los Angeles Express 35-20 at Legion Field. The game drew the largest crowd of the year, with over 42,000 attendees, including a substantial number of families from local steel and iron worker unions.
1983: Roster Changes and Releases
The Birmingham Stallions made significant changes to their roster for the 1983 season, releasing three players from their defensive line.
1983: Draft Picks and Key Signings
The Birmingham Stallions secured several of their 1983 draft picks, including guard Pat Saindon, nose tackle Charles Martin, and reserve guard Mike Turner. Additionally, they signed two key territorial draft picks: defensive end Jackie Cline from Alabama and offensive tackle Pat Phenix from Ole Miss.
1983: Key Personnel and Notable Game
The Birmingham Stallions were owned by Marvin Warner, a financier from Cincinnati and Birmingham native. Rollie Dotsch, former offensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was appointed as the head coach. Cliff Stoudt, former backup quarterback for the Steelers, joined the Stallions as their starting quarterback. The Stallions played a notable game against the Pittsburgh Maulers, which was the Maulers' only sellout. Stoudt and the Stallions won 30-18.
1983: Competitive Central Division
The USFL Central Division in 1983 proved to be highly competitive, with all four teams, including the Birmingham Stallions, finishing at or above .500. The Michigan Panthers, Chicago Blitz, and Tampa Bay Bandits all had strong seasons, demonstrating the division's strength.
1984: Stoudt's Success and New Additions
Cliff Stoudt excelled as the Stallions' quarterback in 1984, ranking among the league's top five quarterbacks. The team also welcomed Joe Cribbs, a star running back from the Buffalo Bills, who went on to lead the league in rushing that year.
1984: Defensive Improvements and Chuck Clanton's Emergence
Coach Rollie Dotsch focused on improving the Stallions' defense in 1984, particularly after the release of three defensive linemen from the previous season. The team added safety Chuck Clanton, a college free agent who quickly became a defensive force.
1984: Stallions Lose to Baltimore Stars in Playoffs
In 1984, the Birmingham Stallions hosted the defending champions, the Baltimore Stars, in the Eastern Conference final. Despite hopes of revenge, the Stallions lost 28-14 in what would be their last USFL game.
1984: Stallions Defeat New Jersey Generals in Season Opener
In 1984, the Birmingham Stallions opened their season by hosting the New Jersey Generals at Legion Field. The game featured the debut of Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie and saw the Stallions win 38–28 in front of 34,785 fans.
1984: Stallions' Unbeaten Streak Ends Against Philadelphia Stars
The Birmingham Stallions began the 1984 season with an impressive nine-game unbeaten streak. However, their streak came to an end on May 6th when they faced the Philadelphia Stars, another team with a 9-1 record, at Legion Field. The Stallions suffered a disappointing 43-11 loss to the Stars, who eventually went on to win the 1984 USFL Championship.
1984: Successful Season and Championship Near Miss
The Birmingham Stallions concluded the 1984 season with a highly successful record, coming close to reaching the USFL Championship game.
1984: Innovative "Nickel" Defense
The Birmingham Stallions introduced a revamped defense in 1984, featuring a regular "Nickel" formation. This innovative approach, employing two linebackers and five defensive backs, was among the first of its kind in the USFL. The San Antonio Gunslingers were the only other team to utilize the nickel defense that season. The Stallions' hard-hitting style, often attributed to Coach Dotsch's time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, added to their defensive reputation.
1984: Season Opener Against New Jersey Generals
The Birmingham Stallions kicked off their 1984 season against the New Jersey Generals, a team that had undergone its own transformation under new owner Donald Trump. The game, held at Legion Field, drew a league-record crowd of 62,500 fans, highlighting the excitement surrounding both teams and the USFL.
1984: Joe Cribbs Joins the Stallions
The Birmingham Stallions made a significant acquisition in the 1984 offseason by signing former Buffalo Bills running back Joe Cribbs. Cribbs, who had a successful collegiate career with the Auburn Tigers, agreed to a three-year contract with the team.
1984: Stallions Bolster Roster for 1984 Season
The Birmingham Stallions significantly strengthened their roster for the 1984 season by signing several former NFL players, including quarterback Cliff Stoudt, running back Joe Cribbs, fullback Leon Perry, defensive end Dave Pureifory, and CFL cornerback Ricky Ray, creating optimism for a successful season.
January 1985: Stallions Select Jerry Rice in 1985 USFL Draft
In January 1985, the Birmingham Stallions used their first overall pick in the USFL Open Draft to select wide receiver Jerry Rice from Mississippi Valley State University. This marked a significant moment for the team and the league.
1985: Fiscal Responsibility and Limited Roster Changes
Due to the financial constraints imposed by the ESM Government Securities collapse and its impact on owner Marvin Warner, the Birmingham Stallions adopted a more fiscally conservative approach in 1985. The team made minimal upgrades to its roster during the offseason.
1985: Cliff Stoudt's Impressive Season
In 1985, Birmingham Stallions quarterback Cliff Stoudt had an impressive season, passing for 3,358 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. His performance was a key factor in the team's success that year.
1985: Chuck Clanton's Interception Record
In 1985, Stallions safety Chuck Clanton set a professional football record with 16 interceptions. He also added 275 return yards and a touchdown, surpassing the NFL and CFL records.
1985: Stallions First to Draft Jerry Rice
In 1985, the Birmingham Stallions became the first professional football team to draft Jerry Rice. They received the first overall pick in the USFL Draft due to a trade with the Orlando Renegades, although Rice never played for the team.
1985: Stallions Win Eastern Conference Title
In 1985, the Birmingham Stallions claimed the Eastern Conference title with a 13-5-0 record. They secured the #2 seed in the USFL Playoffs, trailing only the Oakland Invaders who had a 13-4-1 record.
1985: Jim Smith's Record-Breaking Season
In 1985, wide receiver Jim Smith set a USFL record by catching 20 touchdown passes. He also led the league with 1,322 receiving yards and caught 87 passes, earning a spot on the USFL All-Star team.
1985: Continued Success and Player Transition
The Birmingham Stallions continued to perform well in 1985, with Stoudt maintaining his position among the league's top quarterbacks and Cribbs finishing sixth in rushing. Following the USFL's closure, many Stallions players, including Stoudt and Cribbs, transitioned to the NFL.
1985: Financial Troubles and Ownership Challenges
The Birmingham Stallions faced unexpected challenges in 1985 due to financial difficulties stemming from the collapse of ESM Government Securities. This Florida-based securities dealer, owned by Tampa Bay Bandits co-owner Steve Arky, was shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4th. The ensuing events, including Arky's suicide and a run on Home State Savings Bank (owned by Stallions owner Marvin Warner), led to the bank's seizure by Ohio regulators. These financial troubles significantly impacted the Stallions' operations.
1985: End of the USFL
The Birmingham Stallions, along with the entire USFL, ceased operations in 1985 due to financial challenges and the league's inability to compete with the NFL.
1985: Banks Retires and Joins Coaching Staff
Tom Banks retired as a player after the 1984 season and transitioned into a coaching role with the Birmingham Stallions in 1985.
1986: Declining Attendance and USFL's Fall Schedule
Despite finishing the 1984 season with a commendable 14-4 record, the Birmingham Stallions experienced a decline in attendance following their loss to the Philadelphia Stars. The team's last four home games averaged only 27,000 fans per game, a significant drop from the excitement generated earlier in the season. This decline coincided with the USFL's controversial decision in May to switch to a fall schedule for the 1986 season, a move that faced resistance in several USFL markets, including Birmingham.
1986: Charles Martin's Infamous Tackle
In 1986, Charles Martin, a former Birmingham Stallions player, gained notoriety for a controversial bodyslam tackle on Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon during an NFL game while playing for the Green Bay Packers.
1990: Scott Norwood's Super Bowl Miss
Scott Norwood, who had a stint as a rookie free agent with the Birmingham Stallions, gained significant attention in 1990 for missing a crucial field goal in the dying minutes of the Super Bowl while playing for the Buffalo Bills.
