United Football League (1961–1964): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Defunct American professional football league (1961–1964)}} |
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{{more citations needed|date=January 2017}} |
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{{Infobox sports league |
{{Infobox sports league |
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|title=United Football League |
|title=United Football League |
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|founded=1961 |
|founded=1961 |
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|folded=1964 |
|folded=1964 |
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| Commissioner = [[George T. Gareff]] |
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|teams=8 |
|teams=8 |
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| champion = Canton Bulldogs |
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| most_champs = Wheeling Ironmen (2) |
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| fame = The first football league to operate teams in both the United States and Canada |
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|country=United States<br>Canada |
|country=United States<br>Canada |
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| related_comps = [[American Football Conference (1959–1961)|American Football Conference]], [[Continental Football League]], [[Professional Football League of America]] |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''United Football League''' was a professional [[ |
The '''United Football League''' was a professional [[American football]] [[Minor league football (gridiron)|minor league]] that operated between 1961 and 1964. It had eight teams, primarily based in the [[Midwestern United States]].<ref name=angrmn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GP1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4857%2C6588127 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=UFL for football's angry men |date=September 30, 1964 |page=13C}}</ref> |
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The league was founded in 1961 as a minor league alternative to the [[National Football League]] and [[American Football League]]. Based in the Midwest, it drew many of its players from the [[Big Ten]] college conference |
The league was founded in 1961 as a minor league alternative to the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and [[American Football League]] (AFL). Based in the Midwest, it drew many of its players from the [[Big Ten]] college conference. |
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Among its more notable feats, it became the first football league to operate teams in both the United States and Canada when it launched the [[Quebec Rifles]] in 1964, and it revived the names of the [[Cleveland Bulldogs|Cleveland]]/[[Canton Bulldogs]] and [[Akron Pros]], two early-era NFL teams. |
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After the league folded following the 1964 season, the more ambitious owners formed the new [[Continental Football League]] (COFL). The more conservative owners, who wanted to continue as a regional Midwestern bus league, broke away to form the [[Professional Football League of America]] (PFLA) in February 1965.<ref>{{cite news|title=New League Is Formed Of Leftovers|work=The Progress-Index|agency=Associated Press|date=February 7, 1965}}</ref> |
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==History== |
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[[Grand Rapids Blazers]] 20 [[Columbus Colts]] 7 |
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[[Grand Rapids Blazers]] 24 [[Indianapolis Warriors]] 14 |
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<br> |
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* Indianapolis Warriors 9-3-0 |
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[[Grand Rapids Blazers]] 20, [[Columbus Colts]] 7<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.uflfootball.com/news/ufl-history-1961-ufl-championship-game|title=UFL History: 1961 UFL Championship Game|website=United Football League}}</ref> |
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'''WESTERN DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF''' |
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[[Grand Rapids Blazers]] |
* [[Grand Rapids Blazers]] 9–3–0 |
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* [[Indianapolis Warriors]] 9–3–0 |
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''' |
'''WESTERN DIVISION<!-- CHAMPIONSHIP --> PLAY-OFF'''<br> |
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<br> |
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'''UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP'''<br> |
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==1963 season== |
===1963 season=== |
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* Wheeling Ironmen |
* [[Wheeling Ironmen]] 12–1–0 |
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* Toledo Tornadoes |
* [[Toledo Tornadoes]] 10–3–0 |
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* Cleveland Bulldogs |
* [[Cleveland Bulldogs]] 7–5–0 |
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* Indianapolis Warriors |
* [[Indianapolis Warriors]] 5–8–0 |
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* Grand Rapids Blazers |
* [[Grand Rapids Blazers]] 4–9–0 |
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* Syracuse Stormers |
* [[Syracuse Stormers]] 0–12–0 |
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On November 28, 1963, the Syracuse Stormers played the Cleveland Bulldogs at MacArthur Stadium in a regular season game. |
On November 28, 1963, the Syracuse Stormers played the Cleveland Bulldogs at MacArthur Stadium in a regular season game. |
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'''UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP''' |
'''UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP'''<br> |
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Wheeling Ironmen 31 Toledo Tornadoes 21 |
Wheeling Ironmen 31, Toledo Tornadoes 21 |
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==1964 season== |
===1964 season=== |
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* Canton Bulldogs |
* [[Canton Bulldogs]] 12–2–0 |
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* [[Charleston Rockets |
* [[Charleston Rockets|Charleston (WV) Rockets]] 11–3–0 |
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* Indianapolis Warriors |
* [[Indianapolis Warriors]] 10–4–0 |
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* Wheeling Ironmen |
* [[Wheeling Ironmen]] 7–7–0 |
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* Toledo Tornadoes |
* [[Toledo Tornadoes]] 6–8–0 <ref>AC 2013, Fun While It Lasted, United Football League</ref> |
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* [[Quebec Rifles]] |
* [[Quebec Rifles]] 5–9–0 |
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* Grand Rapids Blazers |
* [[Grand Rapids Blazers]] 5–9–0 |
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* Joliet Explorers |
* [[Joliet Explorers]] 0–14–0 |
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'''UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP''' |
'''UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP'''<br> |
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Canton Bulldogs 19 Indianapolis Warriors 14 |
Canton Bulldogs 19, Indianapolis Warriors 14 |
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==Teams== |
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===Toledo Tornadoes=== |
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A former Michigan semi-pro team moved to Toledo as the all pro Toledo Tornadoes in 1956, played in the America Football Conference then transferred to the United Football League. The Tornadoes primarily played at Waite Stadium. The league forced the team to close due to debt in 1965. |
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==See also== |
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* [[American Football Conference (1959–1961)]] |
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* [[Continental Football League]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist|2}} |
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{{Professional Gridiron football leagues}} |
{{Professional Gridiron football leagues}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:United Football League ( |
{{DEFAULTSORT:United Football League (1961-1964)}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:United Football League (1961–1964)| ]] |
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[[Category:Defunct American football leagues]] |
[[Category:Defunct American football leagues in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1961]] |
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1961]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1961 establishments in the United States]] |
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[[Category:1964 disestablishments in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Professional Football League of America teams]] |
Latest revision as of 14:12, 3 January 2024
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
Sport | American football |
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Founded | 1961 |
Ceased | 1964 |
Commissioner | George T. Gareff |
Claim to fame | The first football league to operate teams in both the United States and Canada |
No. of teams | 8 |
Country | United States Canada |
Last champion(s) | Canton Bulldogs |
Most titles | Wheeling Ironmen (2) |
Related competitions | American Football Conference, Continental Football League, Professional Football League of America |
The United Football League was a professional American football minor league that operated between 1961 and 1964. It had eight teams, primarily based in the Midwestern United States.[1]
The league was founded in 1961 as a minor league alternative to the National Football League (NFL) and American Football League (AFL). Based in the Midwest, it drew many of its players from the Big Ten college conference.
Among its more notable feats, it became the first football league to operate teams in both the United States and Canada when it launched the Quebec Rifles in 1964, and it revived the names of the Cleveland/Canton Bulldogs and Akron Pros, two early-era NFL teams.
After the league folded following the 1964 season, the more ambitious owners formed the new Continental Football League (COFL). The more conservative owners, who wanted to continue as a regional Midwestern bus league, broke away to form the Professional Football League of America (PFLA) in February 1965.[2]
History[edit]
1961 season[edit]
- Columbus Colts 6–2–2
- Grand Rapids Blazers 6–3–1
- Indianapolis Warriors 6–3–1
- Cleveland Bulldogs 6–4–0
- Louisville Raiders 4–6–0
- Akron Pros 0–10–0
WESTERN DIVISION PLAY-OFF
Grand Rapids Blazers 24 Indianapolis Warriors 14
UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Grand Rapids Blazers 20, Columbus Colts 7[3]
1962 season[edit]
- Grand Rapids Blazers 9–3–0
- Indianapolis Warriors 9–3–0
- Wheeling Ironmen 8–4–0
- Toledo Tornadoes 6–5–1
- Columbus Capitols 6–6–0
- Louisville Raiders 4–7–1
- Cleveland Bulldogs 4–8–0
- Chicago Bulls 1–11–0
WESTERN DIVISION PLAY-OFF
Grand Rapids Blazers 24, Indianapolis Warriors 20
UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Wheeling Ironmen 30, Grand Rapids Blazers 21
1963 season[edit]
- Wheeling Ironmen 12–1–0
- Toledo Tornadoes 10–3–0
- Cleveland Bulldogs 7–5–0
- Indianapolis Warriors 5–8–0
- Grand Rapids Blazers 4–9–0
- Syracuse Stormers 0–12–0
On November 28, 1963, the Syracuse Stormers played the Cleveland Bulldogs at MacArthur Stadium in a regular season game.
UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Wheeling Ironmen 31, Toledo Tornadoes 21
1964 season[edit]
- Canton Bulldogs 12–2–0
- Charleston (WV) Rockets 11–3–0
- Indianapolis Warriors 10–4–0
- Wheeling Ironmen 7–7–0
- Toledo Tornadoes 6–8–0 [4]
- Quebec Rifles 5–9–0
- Grand Rapids Blazers 5–9–0
- Joliet Explorers 0–14–0
UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Canton Bulldogs 19, Indianapolis Warriors 14
Teams[edit]
Toledo Tornadoes[edit]
A former Michigan semi-pro team moved to Toledo as the all pro Toledo Tornadoes in 1956, played in the America Football Conference then transferred to the United Football League. The Tornadoes primarily played at Waite Stadium. The league forced the team to close due to debt in 1965.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "UFL for football's angry men". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. September 30, 1964. p. 13C.
- ^ "New League Is Formed Of Leftovers". The Progress-Index. Associated Press. February 7, 1965.
- ^ "UFL History: 1961 UFL Championship Game". United Football League.
- ^ AC 2013, Fun While It Lasted, United Football League