'87 Chronology-Strike Date

Event Date: September 1st, 1987

Event Description: NFLPA Secret Date

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Legal Eagles

Event Date: September 1st, 1987

Event Description: USFLPA Files Suit

The U.S. Football League Players Assocation Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit demanding $1.2 million in back pay owed to 48 members of the Portland Breakers.

The financially-troubled Breakers failed to meet its July payroll and lost most of its players to free-agent status at the end of the season.

Players Association lawyers said 48 players are entitled to pay for the last four games of the 1987 season. They delayed filing the lawsuit to give the Breakers a chance to find investors in the club.

“Both the Association and the players want to see the Breakers remain in Portland for the 1988 season,” said a statement released by the players. “However, with no commitment by the club that the players would be paid, the Association is now seeking judicial enforcement of the award.”

Source-(UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology-Another Round

Event Date: August 29th, 1987

Event Description: Upshaw Visits Bears

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Cajun Style

Event Date: August 16th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Scoreboard

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-No Regrets

Event Date: August 14th, 1987

Event Description: Williams Jumps

Source: UPI

Quarterback Doug Williams, making the jump back to the NFL after two seasons in the USFL, says he is elated to be with the Washington Redskins.

One day after the Redskins acquired his rights from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams agreed to terms and reported to the team's Dickinson College training site Tuesday night. Williams was set to take his physical and sign a three-year contract today.

“I didn't want to get into a situation again with my life where I had to play with a team that was rebuilding and didn't have the team Washington had,” Williams said.

“I'm elated to be here and I just hope that, whatever my role is with the Wasington Redskins, I can do it to the best of my ability.”

Williams, 32, who guided the Buccaneers to the NFC championship game in 1979, said he has accepted his role as a backup.

“Let me get the record straight, Jay Schroeder is the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins -- I know that, coach (Joe) Gibbs knows that and everybody else knows that. I didn't come here to unseat Jay,” he added.

Williams, known for a strong arm and weak knees during a professional career starting in 1978, played five years in the NFL with Tampa Bay before joining the USFL. He spent the 1984 season with the Oklahoma Outlaws and the 1985-87 seasons with the Arizona Outlaws.

Williams said he also contacted the Los Angeles Raiders about the possibility of joining them, but the Raiders did not express any interest. The Redskins reportedly dealt a fifth-round draft choice to Tampa Bay for the rights to Williams. 

Williams, who left Tampa Bay in 1982 in a salary dispute, said he did not regret his years in the USFL. “If there had been total free agency in the NFL I wouldn't have went to the USFL, but under the circumstances, I have no regrets,” he said.

Source: (UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology-Free Agency

Event Date: August 13th, 1987

Event Description: Williams Opts Out

Source: UPI

The Washington Redskins, seeking a backup for quarterback Jay Schroeder, traded for the rights to USFL free agent Doug Williams, General Manager Bobby Beathard said.

Williams said on Sunday he had reached a tentative contract agreement with the Redskins after exercising a buyout clause in his USFL contract with the Arizona Outlaws. 

Washington traded an undisclosed 1987 draft choice to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers, who owned Williams rights. Other signings from the USFL included former Jacksonville Bulls tight end Chuck McCurley.

Source: (UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology-Role Reversal

Event Date: August 11th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Starts Appeal Process

Source: Courier Express

National Football League attorney Jack Fiske began an appeal process Wednesday that said he hopes forces the court to overturn the verdict of the NFL-USFL antitrust trial.

Judge Peter K. Leisure told Fiske post-trial briefing that he will consider the NFL's motion related to the verdict Sept. 3 in U.S. District Court. Preliminary papers are due Aug. 15.

NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, calling the verdict "convoluted, distorted and crazy," said the league will continue to litigate the jurors decision to award the USFL $100 million. 

USFL attorney Harvey Myerson said the NFL should be penalized, "not exonerated" for violating an antitrust law. "We will continue to seek restitution," he said.

Fiske said he will produce video tapes from newscasts that show at least two jurors saying they wanted to award the USFL no money, but that they misunderstood Leisure's instructions.

Juror Bernez Stephens wanted to give the USFL just $1 million but voted for the $100 million award. Judges can reduce monetary awards if they choose to do so.

"Those jurors believed the court would award the proper damages, which would be appropriate" Fiske said.

Myerson said Stephens' explanation of her misunderstanding of the judge's charge was revealed through pressure from the media.

Myerson said the jurors had plenty of opportunity to ask the judge questions about awarding damages during deliberations -- and so did Fiske. 

Juror Margaret Lilienfeld said Wednesday, "There was never any intention of this award being set in stone. I felt that the USFL damaged itself and that we should award them minor damages. Some of us knew exactly what we were doing."

Although legal sources say the NFL's options are limited now that the jury has spoken, Fiske said he has four legal avenues to pursue: (1) He can ask Leisure for a new trial only on the damages, which he is inclined to do; (2) ask for an entirely new trial; (3) ask the judge to set aside the verdict and make his own ruling; (4) or appeal the damages to a higher court, which could take months.

Source: (UPI Story Modified/Juxt)

'87 Chronology-House Cleaning

Event Date: August 7th, 1987

Event Description: Cowboys Cut Collier

Source: Victoria Advocate

'87 Chronology-Schramm vs. Usher

 

'87 Chronology-Rozelle Reaction

 

'87 Chronology-Harvey Wallbanger

 

'87 Chronology-Motives and Motions

Event Date: August 5th, 1987

Event Description: USFL Wins Suit

Source: Football News

'87 Chronology-Explosive!

Event Date: August 2nd, 1987

Event Description: Denver Wins Title

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Indoor Clash

Event Date: August 1st, 1987

Event Description: Arena Bowl I

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Smoke and Mirrors

 

'87 Chronology-Reading Tea Leaves

Event Date: July 31st, 1987

Event Description: Jury Deliberations

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Ready For Action!

Event Date: July 30th, 1987

Event Description: Walker Arrives

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Early Bird

Event Date: July 30th, 198

Event Description: Coleman Reports Early

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Expansion Plans

Event Date: July 30th, 1987

Event Description: Arena League Expansion

Source: Ledger Wire Services

'87 Chronology-Steeltown Showdown

Event Date: July 27th, 1987

Event Description: AFL Championship Set

Source: Beaver County Times

'87 Chronology-Ignorance is Bliss

Event Date: July 22nd, 1987

Event Description: NBC Ignored USFL

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Back Pay

Event Date: July 22nd, 1987

Event Description: 'Slinger Salaries

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Economies of Scale

Event Date: July 16th, 1987

Event Description: Economist Disputes Claims

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Moonlighting

Event Date: July 14th, 1987

Event Description: Jackson Joining Raiders

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Definition of Winning

Event Date: July 14th, 1987

Event Description: Future of Football

Source: Knight Ridder

'87 Chronology-Sly as a Fox

Event Date: July 7th, 1987

Event Description: Fox Eyes New League

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Conspiracy Theory

Event Date: July 6th, 1987

Event Description: Hess Denies Conspiracy

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Tamper Tantrum

Event Date: July 3rd, 1987

Event Description: Myerson v. Schramm

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Dollars to Doughnuts

Event Date: July 2nd, 1987

Event Description: NFL Cites USFL Spending

Source: St.Petersburg Times

'87 Chronology-Law of Averages

Event Date: July 2nd, 1987

Event Description: Finks Testifies

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Enemy Within

Event Date: July 1st, 1987

Event Description: Simmons Called

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Cosell Show

Event Date: June 30th, 1987

Event Description: Cosell Show

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-Smooth Sailing

Event Date: June 29th, 1987

Event Description: 'Boats Win Title Game

Source: PFW

Walter Lewis threw two touchdown passes to Greg Moser and Sam Bowers and Leonard Williams rushed for 134 yards with a pair of scores, keying the Showboats 48-34 win over Denver in the U.S.F.L. championship game on Sunday night.

The Showboats led 28-20 at halftime Sunday, then struck for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter on their way to the fourteen point victory. 

Denver pulled to within one, after a 74-yard touchdown drive was capped by a Vince Evan to Kris Haines 22-yard touchdown reception. Making it a 28-27 contest, late in the third quarter.

But in the final frame, Leonard Williams scored on a 14-yard run and Bryan Howard returned a fumble 70 yards as Memphis pulled ahead by a score of 41-27 with just over eleven minutes remaining.

Walter Lewis followed with a one-yard run for a touchdown at the 3:24 mark as Memphis never looked back.

Denver finally scored in the final stanza with just over one minute left when quarterback Vince Evans hit Kris Haines for a 22-yard touchdown, his second of the contest.

“I was not concerned with our offensive production going into the game,” coach Pepper Rodgers said afterward. “ I knew that our offense could move the ball. It was our defense and special teams that had to step up today and they did. The blocked punt and the fumble return really sparked the entire team. It’s just a great feeling to know we are being rewarded for our hard work all season.”

Todd Gerhart opened the scoring for Denver with a two-yard touchdown plunge at the 10:13 mark. That score was followed by a Leonard Williams four-yard run for Memphis, tying the game at 7-7.

At the end of the first quarter, Walter Lewis found Sam Bowers for a seven yard touchdown, culminating a six-play, 45-yard drive pushing the ‘Boats ahead 14-7. 

A Van Hughes blocked punt at the ten minute mark of the second stanza resulted in a score and a 21-7 lead for Memphis.

Vince Evans then drove the Gold 68 yards on nine plays and hit Todd Gerhart on a nine-yard swing pass as Denver pulled to within 21-13 after a missed extra point.

A 17-yard pass from Lewis to Greg Moser was quickly followed by a Vince Evans to Daric Zeno touchdown as Memphis led 28-20 at the intermission.

Denver quarterback Vince Evans completed 20-of-36 passes for 289 yards and threw one interception to go along with four sacks.

Vincent White led the Gold receivers with seven receptions for 89 yards. Memphis forced Denver into two turnovers and the Gold committed nine penalties for 76 yards.

Game MVP Leonard Williams led Memphis with 134 yards rushing and Walter Lewis added an additional 88 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown. Lewis hit on 9-of-15 passes for 129 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and just two sacks.

An announced crowd of just under 48,000 attended the game.

The USFL’s antitrust suit against the NFL resumes this week as rumors of a settlement swirled through the press corps and amongst some league officials.

more to come......

'87 Chronology-Under Pressure

 

'87 Chronology-Leading the Way!

 

'87 Chronology-Championship Preview

Event Date: June 27th, 1987

Event Description: USFL Championship Preview

Source: UPI

The Memphis Showboats and Denver Gold will meet in the USFL championship game Sunday, resolved to have some fun amid questions regarding the leagues’ future.

Facing what may be their swan song as their antitrust trial moves forward against the National football League, the Showboats and Gold will both try to secure their first league championship title.

“I enjoy competing against Memphis,” said veteran pivot Vince Evans. “The games are always clean, hard-hitting and challenging. They are one of the best teams in the league, we are one of the best teams in the league.”

The teams have a lot in common. Both have solid defenses, explosive offenses and both have coaches who are unfraid to open things up and take some chances.

The Showboats defeated Baltimore in the opening round of the playoffs and then knocked off Orlando last week, improving to (14-4) on the season.

The Gold edged the Arizona Outlaws by a single point in the first round and then dominated Oakland at home last week, posting an (11-7) record going into the final contest.

With the USFL moving toward a culmination of their antitrust fight against the NFL, the players and coaches continue to focus their attention on the field.

“(Lewis) doesn't have a rifle arm but he's a great scrambler,” said Denver's all-star linebacker John Nevens. “But he's a winner. He'll find a way to beat you.”

The Showboats beat the Gold in their lone matchup this season —a 42-23 win way back in Week #1 at Memphis.

Lewis's backfield partner is running back Leonard Williams and his wideouts include star receiver Derrick Crawford, veteran slotman Greg Moser and tight end Sam Bowers. 

Denver counters with quarterback Vince Evans, fullback Todd Gerhart and hybrid Vincent White who lines up at a variety of positions.

Walter Lewis was named Offensive MVP this week, with White finishing second in the voting. Memphis head coach Pepper Rodgers finished second in coach of the year voting, just behind Orlando head man Lee Corso.

The league championship gets underway this Sunday from the Liberty Bowl at 8:00 pm. Television coverage starts at 7:00 p.m. on ABC, ESPN and RCA satellite.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'87 Chronology-Week #19 Preview

Event Date: June 27th, 1987

Event Description: Week #19 Preview

'87 Chronology-Dangerous Path

 Event Date: June 26th, 1987

Event Description: Davis Testimony

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Money Ball

Event Date: June 25th, 1987

Event Description: CFL Alouettes Fold

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'87 Chronology-NFLPA

Event Date: June 21st, 1987

Event Description: NFLPA Readies

Source: Lakeland Ledger