United Football League (1961–1964)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
Sport | American football |
---|---|
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
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
, 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
1961 season
- Columbus Colts 6–2–2
- Grand Rapids Blazers6–3–1
- Indianapolis Warriors 6–3–1
- Cleveland Bulldogs 6–4–0
- Louisville Raiders 4–6–0
- Akron Pros 0–10–0
WESTERN DIVISION PLAY-OFF
UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
1962 season
- Grand Rapids Blazers9–3–0
- Indianapolis Warriors9–3–0
- 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
UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
1963 season
- Wheeling Ironmen 12–1–0
- Toledo Tornadoes 10–3–0
- Cleveland Bulldogs 7–5–0
- Indianapolis Warriors5–8–0
- Grand Rapids Blazers4–9–0
- 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
- Canton Bulldogs 12–2–0
- Charleston (WV) Rockets 11–3–0
- Indianapolis Warriors10–4–0
- Wheeling Ironmen 7–7–0
- Toledo Tornadoes 6–8–0 [4]
- Quebec Rifles5–9–0
- Grand Rapids Blazers5–9–0
- Joliet Explorers0–14–0
UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Canton Bulldogs 19, Indianapolis Warriors 14
Teams
Toledo Tornadoes
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
References
- ^ "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