'83 Chronology-Thumbs Down II

Event Date: June 17th, 1983

Event Description: Atlantic Expansion Withdrawn

Source: The Spokesman-Review

'83 Chronology-Gold Standard

Event Date: June 16th, 1983

Event Description: Gold For Sale

Source: The Leader-Post

'83 Chronology-Thumbs Down!

Event Date: June 15th, 1983

Event Description: San Diego Votes No

Source: The Spokesman-Review

'83 Chronology-Thumbs Up!

Event Date: June 15th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Picks Jacksonville

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Jacksonville Jags?

Event Date: June 15th, 1983

Event Description: Jacksonville Joins USFL

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Sooner Rather Than Later?

Event Date: June 15th, 1983

Event Description: Upset Sooner

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-The Guru

Event Date: June 14th, 1983

Event Description: Gillman Hired

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Week #15 Roundup

Event Date: June 13th, 1983

Event Description: Week #15 Roundup

Source: United Press International

Bobby Hebert fired three touchdown passes and John Williams scored another on a two-yard plunge to power the Michigan Panthers to a 27-20 triumph over the Los Angeles Express.

The victory raised Michigan's record to (11-4) while Los Angeles has now dropped to (6-9).

Hebert and Anthony Carter teamed up on a pair of second-quarter touchdowns -- the first a 37-yarder to cap a seven-play, 59-yard march at 13:57 and the second a 13-yarder at 0:51 -- to stretch Michigan's lead to 13-10 at the half.

In the second half, John Williams capped a nine-play, 76-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown plunge and Hebert threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Derek Holloway with just over a minute remaining in regulation

Tom Ramsey led the Los Angeles offense as he went 17 of 39 for 218 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

In other games, Chicago shut out Tampa Bay 13-0 and Philadelphia topped New Jersey 19-17. Saturday night, Birmingham defeated Boston 31-3 and Washington won on the road at Arizona by a score of 32-17.

On Monday night, Pacific Division rivals Oakland and Denver meet at the Coliseum in Oakland. 

In Chicago, Mack Boatner scored a third-quarter touchdown to help the Blitz defeat Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay was again hampered by injuries as Jimmy Jordan started at quarterback in place of starter John Reaves. Jordan proved ineffective as he tossed four interceptions and was sacked once.

In New Jersey, Chuck Fusina passed for 271 yards and David Trout nailed four field goals to lead the Stars to their 14th win before a crowd of 32,000 at the Meadowlands. Both Kelvin Bryant and Herschel Walker were held under 100 yards rushing, Bryant with 89 and Walker with just 64 respectively.

Source: (UPI Modified)

'83 Chronology-Week #15 Preview

Event Date: June 11th, 1983

Event Description: Week #15 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #15 USFL Preview

Saturday, June 11th

    (7-7) Boston Breakers at (10-4) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -5)

Television Coverage: ESPN National

(7-7) Washington Federals at (1-13) Arizona Wranglers

Latest Line: (Federals -2)   

Television Coverage: Local

Sunday, June 12th

     (4-10) Tampa Bay Bandits at (13-1) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -6)

Television Coverage: Local

  (13-1) Philadelphia Stars at (1-13) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Stars -11)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional

 (10-4) Michigan Panthers at (6-8) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Panthers -3)

Television Coverage: Local

Monday, June 13th

 (7-7) Denver Gold at (5-9) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -3)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

'83 Chronology-Matching Offers

Event Date: June 11th, 1983

Event Description: Bills No Match

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Man with a Plan

Event Date: June 11th, 1983

Event Description: Bassett Convinced Kelly

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Lion Joins Chiefs

Event Date: June 11th, 1983

Event Description: Blackledge Signs

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Rushing to Houston

Event Date: June 10th, 1983

Event Description: Kelly Gambles on Houston

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Just Say No

Event Date: June 10th, 1983

Event Description: Kelly Joins Gamblers

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Tampa Turnstiles

Event Date: June 7th, 1983

Event Description: Bandits' Attendance Figures

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Hogging the Headlines

Event Date: June 7th, 1983

Event Description: Ex-Hog Joins Bandits

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Dean of Texas Southern

Event Date: June 7th, 1983

Event Description: Bandits Sign Dean

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Stallion Stampede!

Event Date: June 6th, 1983

Event Description:

Source: United Press International

Bob Lane threw two touchdown passes to tight end Darryl Mason to lead the Birmingham Stallions to a 36-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Bandits and a share of second place in the Central Division.

The triumph lifted the Lions into a tie for second place with Michigan, both with 10-4 records.

"It was an important win for us because now we havea legitimate shot at making the playoffs,” said coach Rollie Dotsch. “At this point I'd thought we'd have seven or eight wins not 10.”

In other Sunday games, Philadelphia swamped Michigan 41-3 and Los Angeles pounded Arizona 30-10.

In Philadelphia, Kelvin Bryant rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns as the Stars improved to (13-1) while the Panthers dropped to (10-4). 

In Los Angeles, Tom Ramsey teamed with Kris Haines on a pair of touchdown receptions in the second quarter to lift the Express. A crowd of 13,826 -- the smallest in the Express' seven games at the 95,000-seat Coliseum -- saw Los Angeles improve their record at to (6-8).

On Saturday night, the New Jersey Generals posted their first win of the season as they edged Oakland by a score of 22-21. Herschel Walker scored a pair of touchdowns and veteran linebacker Rod Shoate returned a fumble 47 yards for a score late in the fourth quarter. Place-kicker Dave Betz sealed the win with a 37-yard field goal withjust 23 seconds remaining.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'83 Chronology-Break Wall

Event Date: June 4th, 1983

Event Description: Harvard Votes No

Source: United Press International

Harvard University Friday rejected a request by the Boston Breakers to play their 1984 home United States Football League games in Harvard Stadium.

Athletic Director John P. Reardon Jr. cited a commitment to host 1984 Olympic soccer competition and the “huge” Harvard and neighborhood sports programs in rejecting the request from Breakers President Robert Caporale. The USFL team uses Boston University's Nickerson Field for home games. 

The facility, which sits next to Boston University dormitories, was expanded to hold 20,000, although attendance figures are the lowest in the 12-team league.

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Clearing the Way

Event Date: June 4th, 1983

Event Description:  Bassett Supports Bullard

Source: United Press International

The owner of the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits said Thursday he has surrendered his expansion rights for Florida and cleared the way for a new league franchise in Jacksonville.

John Bassett, majority owner of the Bandits, and general partner Stephen Arky agreed Wednesday to a proposal made by Clearwater businessman Fred Bullard, who wants to place an expansion team in Jacksonville.

Bassett, who owns the USFL's expansion rights in Florida, said it's “95 percent sure” Jacksonville will have a team in the league by next year.

“As far as I'm concerned, as long as he puts up his money and the league agrees to him and his representatives, he'll have a team,” said Bassett. “The only thing that could foul it up is lawyers, and the league owners not approving him.”

Bullard, who must pay a $6 million expansion fee, was unavailable for comment. But an associate said all systems were “go” for a new club. “I got a call that said, “The contract is in our pocket. Get smiling again, everything is go,'' said Charlie Roberts, a spokesman for Bullard.

A USFL spokesman in New York said he could not comment on the agreement, but said owners were expected to vote on league expansion at a meeting next week in Denver. Cities already granted expansion franchises for next year include Houston, Pittsburgh and San Diego.

Bassett declined to discuss specifics of the agreement, including the price Bullard would pay for the state expansion rights, but admitted to making sacrifices to help the fledgling league.

“We made concessions that were good for the league, for Jacksonville to come in,” said Bassett, whose Tampa Bay team is one of the most successful franchises in the league, averaging nearly 40,000 in attendance.

“If I was not interested in the league, in Jacksonville coming in, if I only had selfish interests, I would not have gone along with this,” he said.

Bassett also said concessions were made in the league's stocking plan of players. Tampa Bay now holds the rights to players from Florida and Florida State, but Bassett said he would “work something out with (Jacksonville). They'll get some players from Florida and Florida State.”

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Future Talks

Event Date: June 4th, 1983

Event Description: Collinsworth Talking

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Pivotal Move

Event Date: June 3rd, 1983

Event Description: Thompson Traded

Source: Youngstown-Vindicator

'83 Chronology-Week #14 Preview

Event Date: June 2nd, 1983

Event Description: Week #14 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #14 USFL Preview

Friday, June 3rd

  (7-6) Washington Federals at (6-7) Denver Gold 

Latest Line: (Gold -5)   

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

Saturday, June 4th

   (0-13) New Jersey Generals at  at (5-8) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -5)

Television Coverage: ESPN National

Sunday, June 5th

     (9-4) Birmingham Stallions at (4-9) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Stallions -3)

Television Coverage: Local

 (10-3) Michigan Panthers at (12-1) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -6)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional

(1-12) Arizona Wranglers at (5-8) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Express -6)

Television Coverage: Local

Monday, June 6th

(12-1) Chicago Blitz at (7-6) Boston Breakers

Latest Line: (Blitz -3)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

'83 Chronology-Disappointing Offer

Event Date: June 2nd, 1983

Event Description: Williams May Jump

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Wide Open

Event Date: June 1st, 1983

Event Description: Pardee Named Head Man

Source: The Spokesman-Review

'83 Chronology-Gamblin' Man

Event Date: June 1st, 1983

Event Description: Houston Hire

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Gold Strike

Event Date: June 1st, 1983

Event Description: Gold Hire Morton

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Moon Over Edmonton

Event Date: May 31st, 1983

Event Description: CFL Backup Battle

Source: The Leader-Post

'83 Chronology-The Home Stretch

Event Date: May 30th, 1983

Event Description: USFL Roundup

Source: UPI

David Greenwood returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown and Novo Bojovic kicked two field goals Monday night to lead the Michigan Panthers to their tenth victory of the USFL season, a 26-14 decision over the Tampa Bay Bandits.

Michigan quarterback Bobby Hebert hooked up with tight end Mike Cobb for a fourth quarter touchdown and John Williams opened the scoring with a second-quarter touchdown run.

The victory boosted the Panthers' record to 10-3 and tied them with Birmingham for second place in the Central Division.

In other Week #13 action; the hapless New Jersey Generals continued to struggle as they were blown-out by Washington by a score of 32-0; meanwhile Birmingham blanked Denver 9-0, Oakland pounded Los Angeles 24-3, Philadelphia crushed Boston 26-3 and the Chicago Blitz dominated Arizona by a score of 33-7.

Story-(Modified UPI)

'83 Chronology-Tarnished Gold

Event Date: May 28th, 1983

Event Description: Miller Dismissed

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Federal Case

Event Date: May 27th, 1983

Event Description: Gould Resigns

Source: Gainesville Sun

'83 Chronology-Week #13 Preview

Event Date: May 26th, 1983

Event Description: Week #13 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #13 USFL Preview

Friday, May 27th

  (8-4) Birmingham Stallions at (6-6) Denver Gold 

Latest Line: (Stallions -5)   

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

Sunday, May 28th

  (11-1) Philadelphia Stars at (7-5) Boston Breakers

Latest Line: (Stars -4)

Television Coverage: ABC National

     (6-6) Washington Federals at (0-12) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -1)

Television Coverage: Local

(5-7) Los Angeles Express at (4-8) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -2)

Television Coverage: Local

Monday, May 29th

 (1-11) Arizona Wranglers at (11-1) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -8)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National

(4-8) Tampa Bay Bandits at (9-3) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -3)

Television Coverage: ESPN-Regional

'83 Chronology-Bullish on Jacksonville

Event Date: May 26th, 1983

Event Description: Pro Football News

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Contract Impasse

Event Date: May 26th, 1983

Event Description: Williams at Impasse

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

'83 Chronology-Counter Offer

Event Date: May 26th, 1983

Event Description: Sims Wants Contract

Source: The Windsor Star

'83 Chronology-Verbal Agreement

Event Date: May 25th, 1983

Event Description: Pats Sign Eason

Source: The Telegraph-Herald

'83 Chronology-Wally World

Event Date: May 25th, 1983

Event Description: Hilgenberg Likes USFL

Source: The Telegraph & Herald

'83 Chronology-The Other One

Event Date: May 25th, 1983

Event Description: New League Forming

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Just Say No

Event Date: May 25th, 1983

Event Description: NFL Owners Meeting

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Upping the Ante

Event Date: May 25th, 1983

Event Description: Bucs Contract Offer

Source: Lakeland Ledger