'83 Chronology-Rent Free

Event Date: May 22nd, 1983

Event Description: Manges & Maloney

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Trade Talk

Event Date: May 21st, 1983

Event Description: Trade Talk

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Week #12 Preview

Event Date: May 20th, 1983

Event Description: Week #12 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #12 USFL Preview

Saturday, May 21st

  (4-7) Oakland Invaders at  (3-8) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -5)   

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

Sunday, May 22nd

 (7-4) Boston Breakers at (5-6) Washington Federals 

Latest Line: (Breakers -4)

Television Coverage: Local

    (10-1) Chicago Blitz at  (0-11) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Blitz -7)

Television Coverage: ABC National

(5-6) Los Angeles Express at (5-6) Denver Gold 

Latest Line: (Gold -2)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional

(10-1) Philadelphia Stars at (1-10) Arizona Wranglers

Latest Line: (Stars -7)

Television Coverage: Local

Monday, May 23rd

(8-3) Birmingham Stallions at (8-3) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -3)

Television Coverage: ESPN-Regional

'83 Chronology-Three's Company

Event Date: May 20th, 1983

Event Description: Smith Picks Chargers

Source: Gainesville Sun

'83 Chronology-Burn Baby Burn

Event Date: May 19th, 1983

Event Description: Great Bandit Burnout

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Argovitz & Anderson

Event Date: May 19th, 1983

Event Description: Anderson Staying Put

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Future Gamble

Event Date: May 18th, 1983

Event Description: Cribbs May Jump

Source: The Bulletin

'83 Chronology-Globetrotting Gridiron

Event Date: May 18th, 1983

Event Description: New Kid In Town

Source: Observer-Reporter

'83 Chronology-A New Game

Event Date: May 18th, 1983

Event Description: Steel Town Grid News

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-San Diego Bound?

Event Date: May 17th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Expansion

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Panther Pride

Event Date: May 17th, 1983

Event Description: Week #11 Roundup

Source: United Press International

John Williams scored his ninth and tenth touchdowns of the season to spark Michigan to their fifth victory in their last six games after a 31-13 triumph over the winless Generals at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.

“You keep expecting things to happen without making them happen,” said rookie quarterback Bobby Hebert, who was 10-of-17 for 170 yards with a pair of touchdown passes. “Coach Stanley told us to keep the pressure on in the second-half, which we did. He told us to stay focused and not let up, and if we did so we would hang on for the win.”

The victory in front of a club-record 32,862 lifted the Panthers, 8-3, tied for second place with Birmingham in the Central Division. The Generals dropped to 0-11.

Herschel Walker was held to 92 yards on 21 carries and finished with one score. Michigan rookie Ken Lacy led all rushers with 146 yards on 23 carries.

In other Monday games, Denver downed Boston 31-24 and Oakland defeated Washington 20-3. 

In Boston, Denver running back Larry Canada scored two fourth quarter touchdowns as the Gold held on for the win. Denver improved to 5-6, while the Breakers have now dropped to 7-4, three games behind divison-leading Philadelphia.

In Oakland, Arthur Whittington rushed for 125 yards with a pair of touchdowns as the Invaders dominated Washington.

Off the field Monday, USFL commissioner Chet Simmons announced the league's 14th franchise will play in San Diego next March. The majority owner is William Tatham, a banking and real estate investor who is a minority owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz. Last month, the USFL awarded a franchise to Pittsburgh under owner Edward DeBartolo Sr.

Story-(Modified UPI)

'83 Chronology-Title Town

Event Date: May 14th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Title Game

Source: Sarasota-Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Over the Hill

Event Date: May 14th, 1983

Event Description: Hill Rejects Offer

Source: The Telegraph-Herald

'83 Chronology-Authoritative Decision

Event Date: May 14th, 1983

Event Description: San Diego Stadium Concerns

Source: United Press International

The expansion of the United States Football League to San Diego was tabled by the Stadium Authority Friday so groundskeepers could be polled about what spring football would do to the turf.

The Stadium Authority put off making a recommendation to the San Diego City Council on whether to grant the USFL a lease until May 24.

The fledgling league assured the investors in the planned team they would be awarded a franchise if a lease for San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium could be secured.

The plan was received less than enthusiastically by the authority, which runs the heavily used stadium.

The USFL team was opposed by the San Diego Padres, one of the other spring stadium tenants, who protested that football during the rainy spring months would tear up the natural sod.

The Stadium Authority must decide whether projected revenues the new league would generate are worth the wear and tear on the stadium grass. George Mitrovich, Stadium Authority president, suggested that the investors talk to the groundskeepers in Oakland and Denver about how USFL football and baseball affect grass. 

“At least the Stadium Authority is willing to listen testimony on handling the turf,” said Kenneth Rietz, an investor in the proposed team. “If we can solve the turf problem, we should be in good shape.”

Story-(UPI)

Photo-(Pinterest)

'83 Chronology-Argovitz Clientele

Event Date: May 14th, 1983

Event Description: New Owner Argovitz

Source: Pittsburgh-Post Gazette

'83 Chronology-Summer Push

Event Date: May 14th, 1983

Event Description: Dixon Seeks New Football Venture

Source: United Press International

The founder of the U.S. Football League has sold his rights to a team franchise in Houston, promising to start a push this summer for a New Orleans team by 1985.

Dave Dixon said the new owners of the Houston franchise would be revealed next week, perhaps as early as Tuesday. In March he said he had planned to sell his Houston rights. The selling price was between $4 million and $6 million, Dixon said.

On Thursday he revealed he would set aside a portion of the funds in hopes of finding partners for the New Orleans venture. No one currently holds rights to such a team, since Dixon had to choose the Houston franchise in order to sell it. The sports entrepreneur was awarded his choice from the two cities in return for starting the league. He said anyone had the right to beat him to the punch in New Orleans.

“It doesn't bother me,” Dixon said. “I never have had any single motivating desire to be just a football operator. I want New Orleans to have a team that is homeowned, and I think eventually we'll accomplish that.”  Asked what he would do with proceeds from the sale, Dixon said, “First of all, I'm going to pay my taxes.”

Dixon said he then would set aside some money for his family and for his share in a New Orleans franchise. He also said he and his wife would give $850,000 to Loyola University. The Loyola gift, which Dixon called 'unique in the history of sports in this country, “grew out of a difficult period two years ago when the USFL seemed doomed before it got off the ground.”

Source: (UPI)

'83 Chronology-Williams Enters Free Agency

Event Date: May 14th, 1983

Event Description: Williams Seeks New Deal

Source: Observer-Reporter

'83 Chronology-Sell Out

Event Date: May 13th, 1983

Event Description: Houston Expansion Rights

Source: The Victoria Advocate

'83 Chronology-Survey Says!

Event Date: May 13th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Survey

Source: The Telegraph-Herald

'83 Chronology-Week #11 Preview

Event Date: May 13th, 1983

Event Description: Week #11 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #11 USFL Preview

Saturday, May 14th

  (4-6) Los Angeles Express at (8-2) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -4)   

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

Sunday, May 15th

(1-9) Arizona Wranglers at  (2-8) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -4)

Television Coverage: Local

    (9-1) Chicago Blitz at (10-0) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -2)

Television Coverage: ABC National

Monday, May 16th

(4-6) Denver Gold at (7-3) Boston Breakers

Latest Line: (Breakers -6)

Television Coverage: Local

  

 (0-10) New Jersey Generals at (7-3) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -7)

Television Coverage: ESPN National

(5-5) Washington Federals at (3-7) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -4)

Television Coverage: ESPN-Regional

'83 Chronology-Sunday Surprise

Event Date: May 12th, 1983

Event Description: Wranglers' Top QB

Source: Lakeland-Ledger

'83 Chronology-Southbound?

Event Date: May 12th, 1983

Event Description: Bomber Bolting?

Source: The Telegraph-Herald

'83 Chronology-All-Purpose

Event Date: May 11th, 1983

Event Description: Express Add Allen

Source: The Telegraph-Herald

'83 Chronology-Trio of Offers

Event Date: May 10th, 1983

Event Description: Eason to CFL?

Source: United Press International

University of Illinois quarterback Tony Eason said Tuesday a contract offer by the Montreal Concordes might make him reconsider a lifetime dream of playing in the NFL.

Eason, the first-round choice (15th overall) of the New England Patriots in the recent NFL draft, said his visit with agent Leigh Steinberg to Montreal this week had opened his eyes to another city and another league -- the Canadian Football League.

“Before I came to Montreal, I had my eyes set on the NFL, basically because I'm from the United States and all the heroes I grew up with were in that league,” said Eason, who will likely talk to two U.S. Football League clubs before signing a contract. “As I feel now, I don't think it would be a bad choice to come here.”

“I have to evaluate three different offers,” said Eason, a native of Walnut Grove, Califonia, near Sacramento. “I'm very impressed with coach (Joe) Galat and the front office people and the facilities here are great. But right now, I'd be crazy if I didn't explore all the offers.”

University of Miami quarterback Jim Kelly, drafted 14th overall by the Buffalo Bills, has also visited the Concordes with his agent. “I think Eason's a little closer to our system of play,” Galat said. “His talents seem to be CFL-oriented. His mobility would be the factor that would separate the two.”

Story-(UPI)

Photo-(Pinterest)

'83 Chronology-Charging Ahead

Event Date: May 9th, 1983

Event Description: Bandits Sign Razorback

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Bandit-Ball-Jerry Reed

'83 Chronology-Breakaway Bandit

Event Date: May 9th, 1983

Event Description: Anderson Joins Bandits

Source: Sarasota-Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Divergent Paths

Event Date: May 9th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Roundup

Source: United Press International

The Chicago Blitz and Washington Federals continued their trips on diverging paths Sunday.

The Blitz's 31-0 rout in Chicago was their ninth victory in ten weeks while the Federals' loss was their third defeat in a row.

Kevin Long scored three touchdowns and rookie Tim Spencer added another to lead Chicago. The Blitz scored the first two times they had the ball in the opening quarter. 

Long capped a 66-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run and Spencer finished a six-play, 56-yard drive with another one-yard plunge. Frank Corral, who kicked four extra points and a field goal, hit the two early conversions for a 14-0 lead.

Long swept right on his second touchdown of the game, a 3-yard run in the second quarter for a 21-0 lead. Long scored his 11th touchdown of the year on a seven-yard run that capped a 53-yard march for a 28-0 third-quarter lead. Corral's 36-yard field goal finished the scoring. 

In other games Sunday, Philadelphia crushed Denver 33-6 and Oakland edged Tampa Bay by a score of 20-19.

On Saturday, Michigan quarterback Bobby Hebert threw for 299 yards to go along with three touchdown passes, two of which went to rookie wideout Anthony Carter, leading the Panthers to a 50-7 blowout win over Arizona.

Also on Saturday, Johnny Walton and Tony Davis led the Breakers to a 24-3 win over Los Angeles. Davis scored a pair of touchdowns and Walton found Frank Lockett for a 12-yard score as the Breakers cruised to an easy victory.

On Monday night, Birmingham visits New Jersey.

Story-(Modified UPI)

'83 Chronology-Bold Move

Event Date: May 7th, 1983

Event Description:  Bullard Enlists Godbold

Source: United Press International

Land developer Fred Bullard has enlisted the help of Mayor Jake Godbold to bring a United States Football League franchise to Jacksonville. Bullard and Godbold signed a 25-year tentative lease Friday for the 80,000-seat Gator Bowl.

The agreement, which follows Bullard's formal application for a franchise with the USFL headquarters in New York, is subject to approval by the city council and league commissioner Chet Simmons.

The lease agreement says it will become effective only if Bullard, a native of Jacksonville, is awarded the franchise.

“We've come a long way today,” Godbold said Friday. He said a USFL franchise would mean “big bucks” for Jacksonville, calculating the overall impact on the city at anywhere from $40 million to $60 million a year.

The initial term of the lease is 10 years, with three successive five-year options to renew.

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Courting Kelly

Event Date: May 7th, 1983

Event Description: Concordes Court Kelly

Source: United Press International

Quarterback Jim Kelly said he 'just wants to play football. But the Montreal Concordes recently discovered  it will take much than a ball and a uniform to entice the first-round NFL draft choice to play at Olympic Stadium.

Kelly, chosen 14th overall by the Buffalo Bills in this years'  NFL draft, made his third stop of the week on a tour of teams hoping to sign the former Heisman Trophy candidate from the University of Miami. He is being been courted by the Bills and the Chicago Blitz of the USFL.

“It's not just a question of money, we expect them all to be comparable,” said Kelly's agent Greg Lustig, who added the Blitz had offered a car, a condiminium, a clothing deal and radio and television contracts with their salary offer. “I don't think any team is out of the game at this time. We're looking for things off the field as well as on.”

Kelly, who set season and career passing records at Miami and broke George Mira's school record of 11 touchdown passes in a single year, was one of North American's most sought after college quarterbacks after leading his team to 9-3 and 9-2 records in his sophomore and junior seasons. Though he suffered a shoulder separation in 1982, the 23-year-old Kelly said his arm was “about 95 percent” healed.

The Concordes, who recently courted and lost Southern Mississippi pivot Reggie Collier to the USFL, hope the city's off-field amenities and business opportunites can lure the East Brady, Penn., north of the border.

Lustig said Buffalo's advantage was the prestige of the NFL, but its disadvantage was that it's "an economically depressed area." In Montreal's favor was that Kelly's girlfriend lives in Montreal and he's familiar with the city.

Story-(UPI)

Photo: (Hurricane Sports)

'83 Chronology-Week #10 Preview

Event Date: May 7th, 1983

Event Description: Week #10 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #10 USFL Preview

Saturday, May 7th

 (6-3) Boston Breakers at (4-5) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Breakers -2)   

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

 (1-8) Arizona Wranglers at (6-3) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -4)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

Sunday, May 8th

   (4-5) Denver Gold at (9-0) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -10)

Television Coverage: Local

(2-7) Tampa Bay Bandits at  (2-7) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -2)

Television Coverage: ABC-National

  

(5-4) Washington Federals at (8-1) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -13)

Television Coverage: Local

Monday, May 9th

(0-9) New Jersey Generals at (7-2) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -4)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National 

'83 Chronology-Pockets of Hope

Event Date: May 7th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Mid-Season Report

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

'83 Chronology-Atlantic Schooners

Event Date: May 6th, 1983

Event Description: Halifax Dejected

Source: The Windsor Star

'83 Chronology-Show Me The Money

Event Date: May 5th, 1983

Event Description: Bassett Favors Expansion

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Hinton Blitzed

Event Date: May 5th, 1983

Event Description: Blitz Offer

Source: Observer-Reporter

'83 Chronology-Rocky Mountain High

Event Date: May 5th, 1983

Event Description: Ralston Eyed Elway

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Blockbuster Deal

Event Date: May 4th, 1983

Event Description: Broncos Acquire Elway

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Bandits Sign Ox

Event Date: May 4th, 1983

Event Description: Bandits Sign Lineman

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Injury Bug

Event Date: May 3rd, 1983

Event Description: Bandits Seek Back

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Name The Team

Event Date: May 3rd, 1983

Event Description: Name The Team Contest

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette