'82 Chronology-USFL Inks First Player

Event Date: August 5th, 1982

Event Description: Blitz Sign First Player

Source: UPI

The U.S. Football League will announce the signing of its first player Friday and indications were the Chicago Blitz may be stealing one of the rival Chicago Bears' top draft choices.

Tim Wrightman, the third-round choice of the NFL's Bears last spring, has been a holdout and was given a Saturday signing deadline by Bears general manager Jim Finks.

Wrightman, a tight end who played for UCLA, reportedly met with the new league which begins play next March after he ran into contract trouble with the Bears. However, the Blitz refused to release the name of the player.

“We are working out final details this evening,' a team spokesman said. “It would be too premature to release the name.”

Finks has said Wrightman's agent has made a proposal to the new USFL.

“If it is accepted, they would sign with the USFL,” Finks said. “I told them our offer will not be on the table indefinitely. If it gets to the point where he'll be jeopardizing his ability to play for the Bears, we'll let him know and withdraw our offer.”

Because the league's collective bargaining agreement expired last month, Wrightman must accept the final offer presented by the Bears - reportedly about $25,000 less than he was seeking -- or he can sign with the USFL.

The Blitz also announced that Allen's son, Bruce, would serve as general manager responsible for negotiating all contracts and handling day-to-day business contracts.

Allen became the NCAA's youngest head coach at Occidental College before becoming head coach and general manager of a semi-pro team in California.