Birmingham Stallions

This article is about the first edition of the USFL. For the present day USFL team, see Birmingham Stallions (2022).

The Birmingham Stallions were a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second professional league of American football in the United States in competition with the National Football League. They played their home games at Birmingham, Alabama's Legion Field. They competed in all three USFL seasons, 1983–1985. During their run, they were one of the USFL's more popular teams, and seemed to have a realistic chance of being a viable venture had the USFL been better run.^[2]

Birmingham Stallions
Established 1982 Folded 1985 Played in Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama www.theusfl.com
League/conference affiliations
United States Football League (1982–1985) Eastern Conference (1982–1986) Central Division (1983) Southern Division (1984–1985)
Current uniform
Team colors	Red, Gold, White
Personnel
Owner(s)	Marvin L. Warner Others[1]
Head coach	1983–1985 Rollie Dotsch (38–18)
Team history
Birmingham Stallions (1983–1985)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (2) 1984, 1985
Home stadium(s)
Legion Field (1983–1985)

The owner was Cincinnati financier and Birmingham native Marvin Warner. The team's coach was Rollie Dotsch, who was previously the offensive line coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers during its Super Bowl years and ended up with the second most wins in USFL history. The Stallions starting quarterback for their final two seasons was Cliff Stoudt, a long-time backup to Terry Bradshaw with the Steelers. Stoudt had finally taken over for the injured Bradshaw in 1983 and had played very well for the first half of the season, but his game fell apart in the second half of the season, leading Steeler fans to harshly turn on him. After the season, Stoudt quickly decided it was not worth staying in Pittsburgh and signed with the Stallions. (Amusingly, the expansion Pittsburgh Maulers' lone sellout was the game where Cliff Stoudt returned to Pittsburgh. Steeler fans pelted the hated Stoudt with snowballs throughout the game, but Stoudt and Birmingham won, 30–18.)

In Birmingham, Stoudt proved to be an excellent QB, finishing in the league's top 5 in 1984 and 1985, among such peers as Jim Kelly and Chuck Fusina and leading the team to two divisional titles. The Stallions also added Bills star HB Joe Cribbs in 1984. Cribbs led the league in rushing in 1984 and finished 6th in 1985. Former Steeler WR Jim Smith was another of the team's stars. Many other Stallions players would play in the NFL once the USFL went out of existence.

1983 season

Warner was initially slated to be the owner of the USFL's Washington franchise–what became the Washington Federals. However, when he learned that the USFL was putting a franchise in his hometown, he jumped at it. Without Warner's wealth behind them, the Federals were forced to abandon the capital after two seasons and move to Orlando as the Renegades.^[3]

The Stallions scrambled to put a roster together after training camp and signed or claimed approximately 20 players via trades or waivers in the week prior to their first game. However, Dotsch managed to mold them into a fairly competitive team that finished 9-9.

Although the team made a splash in signing their first-round draft pick, quarterback Reggie Collier out of Southern Mississippi, the remainder of the Stallions consisted of mostly unsung former NFL reserves and college free agents.

One of the few pro veterans signed was center Tom Banks (a Birmingham native), who spent ten seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Banks played 116 NFL games (starting 63) while with the Cardinals and was brought in by coach Rollie Dotsch to serve as a mentor to a very young club. Banks eventually retired after the 1984 Stallions' season and became an assistant coach on the Birmingham staff in 1985.

Other NFL veterans who signed with the Stallions included former Kansas City Chief RB Earl Gant (2 years, 20 games with the Chiefs), RB Ken Talton (1 year, 2 games with the Lions), WR/KR Kevin Miller (3 years, 20 games with the Vikings), TE Steve Stephens (1 year, 16 games with the Jets), OT Robert Woods (8 years, 99 games with the Jets and Saints), OG Buddy Aydelette (1 year, 9 games with the Packers), DE Mike Raines (7 years, 104 games with the CFL Ottawa Rough Riders), DE Reggie P. Lewis (2 years, 22 games with the Buccaneers), LB Dallas Hickman (6 years, 91 games with the Redskins), CB Mike Thomas (6 years, 77 games with the Redskins and Chargers) and SS Billy Cesare (5 years, 46 games with the Buccaneers, Dolphins and Lions),

The Stallions had some success in signing several of their 1983 draft picks to go along with Collier. Guard Pat Saindon (8th round, Vanderbilt), nose tackle Charles Martin (15th round, Livingston College) and reserve guard Mike Turner (16th round, Louisiana State). Martin would go on to play for the Green Bay Packers and was involved in an infamous bodyslam tackle of Chicago Bears QB Jim McMahon in 1986 at Soldier Field. They also signed two key territorial draft selections in defensive end Jackie Cline from Alabama and offensive tackle Pat Phenix from Ole' Miss.

The Stallions also signed a rookie free agent named Scott Norwood who would later be infamous as the Buffalo Bills kicker who missed a field goal in the dying minutes of the Super Bowl in 1990.

After dropping their opening game on a Monday night (9-7, at home to the Michigan Panthers) the Stallions rebounded on the road the following week with a 20–14 overtime victory in Oakland against the Invaders to record their first franchise win.

However, the Stallions struggled out of the gate with a 2–5 record as Coach Rollie Dotsch and his staff put a patchwork, blue-collar, run-oriented club together.

Prior to the Stallions' sixth game of the season, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jim Smith (6 years, 73 games with the Steelers) was signed by Dotsch to add some punch to a listless receiving corps. Smith did not disappoint as his arrival helped the offense almost immediately. Dotsch was very familiar with Smith as they were members of two Super Bowl Championship clubs in the Steel City.

The turning point in the season, however, was during a home game in Week #8 (Sunday, April 24) against the Oakland Invaders when backup quarterback Bobby Lane took the reins of the Stallions offense from Collier, who struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

Lane's heroics won the game vs. Oakland and the Stallions went on to win four subsequent games that improved their record to a 7–5 mark. However, the club managed to only win two of their last six games to finish with a 9–9 mark and a fourth-place finish in the Central Division.

All four teams in the USFL Central Division in 1983 were at .500 or above (Michigan 12–6, Chicago 12-6 and Tampa Bay 11-7 all recorded strong campaigns).

The biggest game of the 1983 season for the Stallions came in Week #11 on a Saturday night (May 14, 1983) when they defeated the visiting Los Angeles Express, 35–20, in front of the largest crowd of the year at Legion Field (42,212). The crowd featured over 20,000 people from the families of local steel and Iron workers unions.

The following week, the Stallions went on the road and defeated the eventual USFL Champion Michigan Panthers, 23–20 at the Pontiac Silverdome. The game was highlighted by a disputed touchdown late in the game when a Michigan defender intercepted a ball in the end zone, spiked the ball and had it recovered by a Stallions' player before the play was blown dead.

Birmingham finished the season as the top rushing club in the USFL with 3,017 yards on 701 carries, however, the Stallions ranked 11th in the 12-team loop with 2,999 yards passing.

Late in the season, the club also announced the signing of former Buffalo Bills running back Joe Cribbs, who would join the club at the start of the 1984 season. Cribbs, who played his college ball locally for the Auburn Tigers, signed a three-year contract with the Stallions.

1983 opening-day roster

Birmingham Stallions 1983 Opening Day Roster (at 7-Mar-83)
Quarterbacks 10 Reggie Collier 12 Bobby Lane Running backs 23 Earl Gant RB 45 Billy White RB 32 Ken Talton FB 31 John Skibinski FB Wide receivers 82 Ron Frederick 87 Kevin Miller 83 Greg Anderson 80 Mike Kincaid Tight ends 81 Darryl Mason 88 Steve Stephens 85 Mike Hirn		Offensive linemen 72 Robert Woods LT 71 Pat Phenix RT 78 Buddy Aydelette LG 59 Mark Battaglia RG 74 Pat Saindon RG 54 Tom Banks C Defensive linemen 96 Charles Martin NT 75 Jimmy Walker NT 98 Jackie Cline LDE 79 Mike Raines RDE 76 Reggie Lewis DE		Linebackers 90 Wendell Ray LOLB 50 Larry McPherson LILB 58 Lester Dickey RILB 56 Mike Murphy ROLB 57 Dallas Hickman LB/DE 51 Carl McGee LB Defensive backs 20 Emmuel Thompson LCB 49 Mike Thomas RCB 28 Frank Reed CB 21 Charles Grandjean CB 44 Billy Cesare SS 24 Charlie Trotman FS 42 Mike Hatchett SS Special teams 4 Scott Norwood K 17 Dario Casarino P 52 Tim James LS		Developmental squad 11 Melvin Williams QB 30 Lonnie Johnson RB/KR 40 Cornelius Quarles FB 84 Sylvester Moy WR 89 Johnnie Dirden WR/KR 70 Mark Goodspeed OT 64 Mike Turner OG 69 Bill Searcey OG/C 63 Brett Williams DE 55 Herb Spencer LB		Injured Reserve rookies in italics 40 Active, 10 Developmental

1983 Birmingham Stallions Schedule

Week	Day	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	TV	Venue	Attendance
1	Monday	March 7, 1983	Michigan Panthers	L7–9	0–1	ESPN	Legion Field	30,305
2	Sunday	March 13, 1983	at Oakland Invaders	W 20–14 (OT)	1–1		Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	47,344
3	Monday	March 21, 1983	Philadelphia Stars	L 10-17	1–2	ESPN	Legion Field	12,850
4	Saturday	March 26, 1983	Arizona Wranglers	W 16–7	2–2	ESPN	Legion Field	5,000
5	Saturday	April 2, 1983	at Boston Breakers	L 16–27	2–3		Nickerson Field	10,976
6	Sunday	April 10, 1983	at Chicago Blitz	L 11–22	2–4	ABC	Soldier Field	13,859
7	Sunday	April 17, 1983	Denver Gold	L 7–9	2–5		Legion Field	26,250
8	Sunday	April 24, 1993	Oakland Invaders	W 21–9	3–5		Legion Field	18,500
9	Sunday	May 1, 1983	at Washington Federals	W 35–3	4–5		RFK Stadium	12,818
10	Monday	May 9, 1983	at New Jersey Generals	W 22–7	5–5	ESPN	Giants Stadium	38,734
11	Saturday	May 14, 1983	Los Angeles Express	W 35–20	6–5	ESPN	Legion Field	42,212
12	Monday	May 23, 1983	at Michigan Panthers	W23-20	7–5	ESPN	Pontiac Silverdome	20,042
13	Friday	May 27, 1983	at Denver Gold	L 19–21	7–6	ESPN	Mile High Stadium	38,829
14	Sunday	June 5, 1983	at Tampa Bay Bandits	L 17–45	7–7	ABC	Tampa Stadium	35,623
15	Sunday	June 12, 1983	Boston Breakers	W 31–19	8–7		Legion Field	20,500
16	Friday	June 17, 1983	Chicago Blitz	L 14–29	8–8	ABC	Legion Field	22,500
17	Sunday	June 26, 1983	at Philadelphia Stars	L 10–31	8–9		Veterans Stadium	17,973
18	Saturday	July 2, 1983	Tampa Bay Bandits	W 29–17	9–9	ESPN	Legion Field	20,300

Sources^[4][5][6]

1983 Birmingham Stallions Numerical Roster

No.	Name	Pos	Ht.	Wt.	College	GP/GS
4	Scott Norwood	K	6.00	207	James Madison	18/0
8	Skip Johnston	P	6.01	175	Auburn	4/0
9	Alan Bollinger	P	6.01	190	Auburn	11/0
10	Reggie Collier	QB	6.03	207	Southern Mississippi	8/5
11	Melvin Williams	QB	6.03	200	Mississippi Valley State	10/0
12	Bobby Lane	QB	6.03	205	Louisiana State	18/13
14	Jay Venuto	QB	6.01	195	Wake Forest	IA/7G
21	Charles Grandjean	SS	5.11	200	Kent State	18/6
23	Earl Gant	RB	6.00	207	Missouri	17/14
24	Charlie Trotman	SS	5.10	185	Auburn	3/0
26	David Evans	CB	6.00	170	Central Arkansas	4/3
28	Frank Reed	CB	5.11	193	Washington	15/14
30	Lonnie Johnson	RB/KR	6.01	206	Indiana	11/0
31	John Skibinski	FB	6.00	222	Purdue	17/0
32	Ken Talton	FB	6.00	209	Cornell	15/11
37	David Smilo	SS	6.02	190	Eastern Michigan	6/1
40	Cornelius Quarles	FB	6.00	220	Howard	15/7
42	Mike Hatchett	FS	5.10	176	Texas	18/0
44	Billy Cesare	FS	5.11	190	Miami (Fl.)	18/18
45	Billy White	RB	5.11	196	Missouri	16/4
49	Mike Thomas	CB/FS	6.00	175	Tennessee State	18/17
50	Larry McPherson	LB	6.00	225	Fort Valley State	16/16
51	Carl McGee	LB	6.03	228	Duke	2/0
51	Freddie Smith	LB	5.11	219	Auburn	9/2
52	Tim James	C/LS	6.03	250	Elon College	2/0
53	Rich D'Amico	LB	6.02	238	Penn State	16/16
54	Tom Banks	C	6.01	255	Auburn	18/18
55	Herb Spencer	LB	6.03	225	Newberry College	16/12
56	Mike Murphy	LB	6.02	222	Southwest Missouri State	13/2
57	Dallas Hickman	LB/DE	6.06	238	California	18/16
58	Lester Dickey	LB	6.01	225	Missouri	2/2
58	Sammy Green	LB	6.00	223	Alabama State	IA/7G
59	Mark Battaglia	G	6.02	255	Penn State	18/11
60	Melvin Land	LB	6.03	242	Michigan State	7/4
63	Brett Williams	DE	6.03	260	Austin Peay	5/0
64	Mike Turner	G/T	6.03	254	Louisiana State	14/2
65	Joe Bock	C/LS	6.04	256	Virginia	16/0
69	Bill Searcey	G	6.02	270	Alabama	5/0
70	Mark Goodspeed	T	6.05	270	Nebraska	1/0
71	Pat Phenix	T	6.05	275	Mississippi	16/16
72	Robert Woods	T	6.05	250	Tennessee State	16/15
74	Pat Saindon	G	6.03	273	Vanderbilt	16/10
75	Jimmy Walker	NT	6.02	250	Arkansas	18/16
76	Reggie Lewis	DE	6.03	260	North Texas State	14/3
77	Drew Taylor	DE	6.05	225	San Jose State	7/4
78	Buddy Aydelette	G	6.04	256	Alabama	18/18
79	Mike Raines	DE	6.05	260	Alabama	17/13
80	Mike Kincaid	WR/KR	5.04	165	Mississippi College	10/0
81	Darryl Mason	TE	6.01	220	Arkansas	18/18
82	Ron Frederick	WR/PR	5.11	180	Duke	15/4
83	Greg Anderson	WR	5.10	170	Alabama State	18/16
84	Sylvester Moy	WR	6.00	180	Grambling State	13/2
85	Mike Hirn	TE	6.03	234	Central Michigan	6/0
86	Jim Smith	WR	6.02	205	Michigan	12/10
87	Kevin Miller	WR/KR	5.10	180	Louisville	5/1
88	Steve Stephens	TE	6.03	227	Oklahoma State	14/3
89	Johnnie Dirden	WR/KR	6.00	190	Sam Houston State	8/0
90	Wendell Ray	LB	6.04	233	Missouri	3/2
96	Charles Martin	NT	6.04	276	Livingston College	14/2
98	Jackie Cline	DE	6.04	275	Alabama	17/16
99	Moochie Allen	NT	6.04	258	Southern Mississippi	7/0

1983 Birmingham Stallions Statistics

No.	RUSHING	Pos	GP-GS	Car	Yds	Avg	Lng	TDs
32	Ken Talton	FB	15-11	228	907	4.0	28	5
23	Earl Gant	RB	17-14	133	530	4.0	19	2
40	Cornelius Quarles	FB	15-7	107	495	4.6	39	3
45	Billy White	RB	16-4	117	349	3.0	14	2
10	Reggie Collier	QB	8-5	39	253	6.5	30	4
30	Lonnie Johnson	RB	11-0	52	181	3.5	22	3
12	Bobby Lane	RB	18-13	42	178	4.2	32	3
11	Melvin Williams	QB	10-0	7	58	8.3	17	0
86	Jim Smith	WR	12-10	5	39	7.8	21	0
82	Ron Frederick	WR	15-4	4	19	4.8	17	0
31	John Skibinski	FB	17-0	6	13	2.2	4	0
84	Sylvester Moy	WR	13-2	1	-5	-5.0	-5	0
	Total			741	3,017	4.1	39	22
	Opponents			520	2,330	4.5	73	18

No.	PASSING	Pos	GP-GS	Cmp-Att	Yds	Lng	Pct	TD	IC	Skd	Lost
12	Bobby Lane	QB	18-13	175-346	2,264	53	50.6%	14	18	15	106
10	Reggie Collier	QB	8-5	47-108	604	46	43.5%	1	7	14	132
11	Melvin Williams	QB	10-0	9-21	131	39	42.9%	0	2	1	5
	Total			231-475	2,999	53	48.6%	15	27	30	243
	Opponents			278-554	3,520	81	50.2%	22	22	51	414

No.	RECEIVING	Pos	GP-GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TDs
86	Jim Smith	WR	12-10	51	756	14.8	39	3
81	Darryl Mason	TE	18-18	45	547	12.2	33	2
83	Greg Anderson	WR	18-16	28	529	18.9	50	5
23	Earl Gant	RB	17-14	24	299	12.5	37	1
32	Ken Talton	RB	15-11	21	156	7.4	25	0
82	Ron Frederick	WR	15-4	16	290	18.1	46	2
84	Sylvester Moy	WR	13-2	12	203	16.9	53	0
40	Cornelius Quarles	FB	15-7	12	86	7.2	17	0
45	Billy White	RB	16-4	7	47	6.7	8	0
88	Steve Stephens	TE	14-3	6	36	6.0	17	1
85	Johnnie Dirden	WR	8-0	3	22	7.3	12	0
31	John Skibinski	FB	17-0	2	13	6.5	8	0
30	Lonnie Johnson	RB/KR	11-0	2	12	6.0	16	1
80	Mike Kincaid	WR/KR	10-0	1	3	3.0	3	0
4	Scott Norwood	K	18-0	1	0	0.0	0	0
	Total			231	2,999	13.0	53	15
	Opponents			278	3,520	12.7	81	22

No.	KICKOFF RETURNS	Pos	GP-GS	KOR	Yds	Avg	Lng	TDs
80	Mike Kincaid	WR/KR	10-0	19	404	21.3	43	0
85	Johnnie Dirden	WR/KR	8-0	16	322	20.1	41	0
30	Lonnie Johnson	RB/KR	11-0	10	190	19.0	39	0
21	Charles Grandjean	SS	18-6	8	97	12.1	26	0
87	Kevin Miller	WR	5-1	2	34	17.0	21	0
45	Billy White	WR	16-4	1	27	27.0	27	0
82	Ron Frederick	WR	15-4	1	14	14.0	14	0
40	Charlie Trotman	CB	3-0	1	11	11.0	11	0
59	Mark Battaglia	G/C	18-11	1	10	10.0	10	0
57	Dallas Hickman	LB	18-16	1	0	0.0	0	0
	Total			60	1,109	18.5	43	0
	Opponents			71	1,183	16.7	67	0

No.	PUNT RETURNS	Pos	GP-GS	PR	FC	Yds	Avg	Lng	TDs
82	Ron Frederick	WR/KR	15-4	23	6	170	7.4	15	0
80	Mike Kincaid	WR/KR	10-0	15	1	100	6.7	14	0
45	Billy White	RB	16-4	1	0	15	15.0	15	0
87	Kevin Miller	WR/KR	5-1	4	1	6	1.5	3	0
85	Johnnie Dirden	WR/KR	8-0	1	0	0	0.0	0	0
32	Ken Talton	FB	15-11	1	0	0	0.0	0	0
	Total			45	8	291	6.5	15	0
	Opponents			45	7	380	8.4	31	0

No.	KICKING	Pos	GP-GS	FGM	FGA	XPM	XPA	PTS
4	Scott Norwood	K	18-0	25	34	34	35	109
	Total			25	34	34	35	109
	Opponents			14	27	34	37	76

No.	PUNTING	Pos	GP-GS	Pnt	Yds	Avg	Lng	TB	In20
7	Alan Bollinger	P	11-0	51	2,008	39.4	56	7	11
8	Skip Johnston	P	4-0	21	870	41.4	63	2	2
8	Dario Casarino	P	3-0	12	437	36.4	52	1	1
	Total			84	3,315	39.5	63	9	13
	Opponents			88	3,674	41.8	70	8	27

No.	DEFENSE	Pos	GP-GS	Tkl	Ast	Tot	Skd	PD	FR	IC	Yds
55	Herb Spencer	LB	16-12	83	22	105	7.5	5	2	1	42
44	Billy Cesare	SS	18-18	66	23	89	0.0	18	2	4	52
53	Rich D'Amico	LB	16-16	71	13	84	1.0	0	2	0	0
57	Dallas Hickmam	LB	18-16	61	14	75	6.5	3	0	1	7
28	Frank Reed	CB	15-14	59	14	73	1.0	13	1	3	24
75	Jimmy Walker	NT	18-16	49	14	63	5.0	3	1	1	27
20	Emmuel Thompson	CB	18-13	48	10	58	0.0	19	0	5	24
98	Jackie Cline	DE	17-16	38	11	49	5.5	0	1	0	0
49	Mike Thomas	FS	18-17	41	8	49	0.0	12	0	2	27
97	Reggie Lewis	DE	14-3	33	15	48	2.0	0	0	0	0
79	Mike Raines	DE	17-13	31	17	48	8.0	2	0	0	0
50	Larry McPherson	LB	16-16	29	14	43	4.0	0	2	4	55
21	Charles Grandjean	CB	18-6	26	12	38	0.0	0	0	0	0
42	Mike Hatchett	SS	18-0	23	11	34	0.0	0	0	0	0
56	Mike Murphy	LB	13-2	27	5	32	1.5	0	0	0	0
26	David Evans	CB	4-3	21	7	28	0.0	2	0	0	0
96	Charles Martin	NT	14-2	20	7	27	0.0	0	1	0	0
51	Freddie Smith	LB	9-2	11	3	14	3.0	0	0	0	0
99	Moochie Allen	NT	7-0	6	7	13	0.5	0	0	0	0
77	Drew Taylor	DE	7-4	10	0	10	4.5	0	0	0	0
63	Brett Williams	DE	5-0	3	3	6	1.0	0	0	0	0
60	Melvin Land	LB	7-4	5	1	6	0.0	0	0	1	9
24	Charlie Trotman	CB	3-0	3	1	4	0.0	0	0	0	0
90	Wendell Ray	LB	3-2	3	0	3	0.0	0	0	0	0
58	Lester Dickey	LB	2-2	2	1	3	0.0	0	0	0	0
38	David Smilo	FS	6-1	2	1	3	0.0	0	0	0	0
51	Carl McGee	LB	2-0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
	Total			771	234	1,005	51.0	77	12	22	267
	Opponents			---	---	---	30.0	--	--	27	283

No.	OFFENSIVE LINEMEN	Pos	GP-GS
72	Robert Woods	LT	16-15
71	Pat Phenix	RT	16-16
70	Mark Goodspeed	OT	1-0
78	Buddy Aydelette	LG/T	18-18
59	Mark Battaglia	RG	18-11
74	Pat Saindon	RG	10-6
64	Mike Turner	RG/T	14-2
69	Bill Searcey	OG	5-0
54	Tom Banks	C	18-18

1983 Birmingham Stallions End-of-Season Roster

Birmingham Stallions 1983 End of Season Roster (at 2-Jul-83)
Quarterbacks 12 Bobby Lane 11 Melvin Williams Running backs 23 Earl Gant RB 30 Lonnie Johnson RB/KR 32 Ken Talton FB 31 John Skibinski FB 40 Cornelius Quarles FB Wide receivers Ron Frederick 86 Jim Smith 84 Sylvester Moy 83 Greg Anderson 80 Mike Kincaid Tight ends 81 Darryl Mason 88 Steve Stephens		Offensive linemen 72 Robert Woods LT 71 Pat Phenix RT 78 Buddy Aydelette LG 59 Mark Battaglia RG 64 Mike Turner G 74 Pat Saindon G 69 Bill Searcey G 54 Tom Banks C Defensive linemen 75 Jimmy Walker NT 96 Charles Martin NT 99 Moochie Allen NT 98 Jackie Cline LDE 70 Drew Taylor RDE 79 Mike Raines DE		Linebackers 95 Herb Spencer LOLB 51 Freddie Smith LILB 53 Rich D'Amico RILB 57 Dallas Hickman LB/DE 56 Mike Murphy LB 60 Melvin Land LB Defensive backs 26 David Evans LCB 49 Mike Thomas RCB 20 Emmuel Thompson CB 44 Billy Cesare SS 37 David Smilo FS 21 Charles Grandjean SS 42 Mike Hatchett SS Special teams 4 Scott Norwood K 8 Skip Johnston P 65 Joe Bock LS		Developmental squad 14 Jay Venuto QB 45 Billy White RB 40 Cornelius Quarles FB 71 Pat Phenix OT 70 Mark Goodspeed OT 76 Reggie Lewis DE 50 Larry McPherson LB 28 Frank Reed FS 56 Danny Crosby LB		Injured Reserve 10 Reggie Collier QB 90 Wendell Ray LB 58 Sammy Green LB T rookies in italics 43 Active, 7 Developmental

1984 season

With the off-season signing of former NFL'ers quarterback Cliff Stoudt, running back Joe Cribbs, full back Leon Perry, defensive end Dave Pureifory and CFL cornerback Ricky Ray, the Stallions outlook for the 1984 campaign was bright.

Coach Dotsch shored up several areas, including the defensive line where three players from the 1983 squad were let go. Also added to the lineup was a college free agent in safety Chuck Clanton who burst onto the scene with the Stallions in 1984 as a major force on a re-build defense.

The Stallions also employed a re-vamped defense with a regular "Nickel" formation featuring, two linebackers and 5 defensive backs – one of the first defenses of its kind utilized in the USFL (the San Antonio Gunslingers were the other team to feature the nickel defense as well in 1984). They already had a reputation as a hard-hitting team, which was thought to be carried over from Dotsch's days with the Steelers.

The Stallions' first game of the 1984 campaign was before a league record 62,500 fans at Legion Field against another re-constructed club in the New Jersey Generals. With the Generals arriving in town like a circus with new owner Donald Trump, running back Herschel Walker and quarterback Brian Sipe in tow, Birmingham was abuzz with anticipation for the new season.

The opening game against New Jersey was broadcast on national television on ABC, however, the Stallions were listless in a 17–6 loss to the Generals to start the season.

However, the game would mark the start of a nine-game unbeaten streak that took the Stallions into a May 6 contest at Legion Field with a 9–1 record against the 9-1 Philadelphia Stars. In its biggest game since the opener against New Jersey, the Stallions came up flat in a 43-11 spanking at the hands of the Stars who would go on to win the 1984 USFL Championship.

The game against the Stars drew a crowd of 49,500, however, the loss sullied interest in the team for the rest of the season as the club averaged only averaged 27,000 fans per game for their last four home games, despite chalking up a 14–4 record. The decline was also blamed on the USFL's decision in May to move to a fall schedule for the 1986 season – a scenario that transpired in several USFL markets.

With their 14–4 mark, the Stallions captured the Southern Division Championship and a berth in the USFL playoffs with a 35–20 win over the Memphis Showboats in Week #17 at a sold-out Liberty Bowl.

In the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, the Stallions defeated their southern division rivals the Tampa Bay Bandits with a convincing 36–16 win at Legion Field in front of 32,000.

One week later, the Stallions dropped the Eastern Conference Championship, 20–10 to the Philadelphia Stars in a game played at Franklin Field. The venue was moved to the University of Pennsylvania campus when Veterans Stadium was occupied by the Philadelphia Phillies.

1984 Birmingham Stallions Opening Day Roster

Birmingham Stallions 1984 Opening Day Roster (at 26-Feb-84)
Quarterbacks 18 Cliff Stoudt 12 Bobby Lane Running backs 20 Joe Cribbs RB 23 Earl Gant RB 33 Lonnie Johnson RB/KR 32 Ken Talton FB 30 Leon Perry FB Wide receivers 86 Jim Smith 82 Ron Frederick 4 Joey Jones 85 Ken Toler Tight ends 81 Darryl Mason 89 Robin Earl		Offensive linemen 72 Robert Woods LT 71 Pat Phenix RT 78 Buddy Aydelette LG 74 Pat Saindon RG 59 Mark Battaglia G/C 64 Mike Turner G 54 Tom Banks C Defensive linemen 98 Jackie Cline LDT 75 Jimmy Walker RDT 95 Joe Cugliari DT 78 Dave Pureifory LDE 57 Dallas Hickman RDE 69 Mike Perko DE 90 Joe Gary DE		Linebackers 55 Herb Spencer LLB 52 Dan Gooch RLB 56 Mike Murphy LB 50 Milton Fields LB 58 Taft Sales LB Defensive backs 21 Dennis Woodberry LCB 27 Ricky Ray RCB 41 Fred Bohannon FS 26 David Evans NB 24 Chuck Clanton FS 34 Robert Gentry SS Special teams 4 Scott Norwood K 8 Skip Johnston P		Developmental squad 11 Phil Kessel, Sr. QB 35 Mike Horton RB/KR 25 Ken Simon RB 80 Joe Hartsfield WR 88 Jay Repko TE 76 Phil Boren T 97 Larry Curtis DT 53 Thomas Boyd LB 60 Dan Niederhofer LS		Injured Reserve 63 Fred Anderson DE 51 Max Jones LB rookies in italics 40 Active, 10 Developmental

1984 Birmingham Stallions Schedule

Week	Day	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	TV	Venue	Attendance
Preseason
1	Bye
2	Bye
3	Saturday	February 11, 1984	New Orleans Breakers	W 30–10	1–0		Legion Field	12,000
4	Saturday	February 18, 1984	at San Antonio Gunslingers	W 23–15	2–0		Alamo Stadium
Regular season
1	Sunday	February 26, 1984	New Jersey Generals	L 6–17	0–1	ABC	Legion Field	62,500
2	Sunday	March 4, 1984	at Los Angeles Express	W 21–14	1–1	ABC	Los Angeles Coliseum	14,789
3	Sunday	March 11, 1984	at Pittsburgh Maulers	W 30–18	2–1		Three Rivers Stadium	53,771
4	Saturday	March 17, 1984	Memphis Showboats	W 54–6	3–1	ESPN	Legion Field	41,500
5	Monday	March 26, 1984	at Tampa Bay Bandits	W 27–9	4–1	ESPN	Tampa Stadium	37,899
6	Monday	April 2, 1984	New Orleans Breakers	W 31–17	5–1	ESPN	Legion Field	28,100
7	Saturday	April 7, 1984	at Jacksonville Bulls	W 24–17	6–1	ESPN	Gator Bowl	43,654
8	Sunday	April 15, 1984	at Michigan Panthers	W 28–17	7–1	ABC	Pontiac Silverdome	42,655
—	Friday	April 20, 1984	Oklahoma Outlaws	Postponed; rescheduled for April 21.			Legion Field
9	Saturday	April 21, 1984	Oklahoma Outlaws	W 41–17	8–1		Legion Field	41,653
10	Sunday	April 29, 1984	at Denver Gold	W 31–14	9–1	ABC	Mile High Stadium	35,262
—	Friday	May 4, 1984	Philadelphia Stars	Postponed; rescheduled for May 6.			Legion Field
11	Sunday	May 6, 1984	Philadelphia Stars	L 11–43	9–2	ABC	Legion Field	49,500
12	Friday	May 11, 1984	Jacksonville Bulls	W 42–10	10–2		Legion Field	29,500
13	Friday	May 18, 1984	at Chicago Blitz	W 41–7	11–2		Soldier Field	8,578
14	Sunday	May 27, 1984	at New Orleans Breakers	W 31–14	12–2	ABC	Louisiana Superdome	23,748
15	Sunday	June 3, 1984	Arizona Wranglers	L 28–38	12–3	ABC	Legion Field	32,500
16	Sunday	June 10, 1984	Washington Federals	W 42–21	13–3		Legion Field	22,100
17	Saturday	June 16, 1984	at Memphis Showboats	W 35–20	14–3	ESPN	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	50,079
18	Saturday	June 23, 1984	Tampa Bay Bandits	L 16–17	14–4	ABC	Legion Field	24,500
Playoffs
Divisional Playoff	Sunday	July 1, 1984	Tampa Bay Bandits	W 36–16	—	ABC	Legion Field	32,000
Conference Championship	Sunday	July 8, 1984	vs. Philadelphia Stars	L 10–20	—	ABC	Franklin Field Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	26,616

Sources^[7][8][9]

1984 Birmingham Stallions End-of-Season Roster

Birmingham Stallions 1984 End of Season Roster (at 24-Jun-84)
Quarterbacks 18 Cliff Stoudt 12 Bobby Lane Running backs 20 Joe Cribbs RB 23 Earl Gant RB 33 Lonnie Johnson RB/KR 32 Ken Talton FB 30 Leon Perry FB 28 Andre Thomas FB Wide receivers 86 Jim Smith 82 Ron Frederick 4 Joey Jones 85 Ken Toler 80 Joe Hartsfield Tight ends 81 Darryl Mason 89 Robin Earl 88 Jay Repko		Offensive linemen 72 Robert Woods LT 71 Pat Phenix RT 78 Buddy Aydelette LG 74 Pat Saindon RG 59 Mark Battaglia G/C 64 Mike Turner G 54 Tom Banks C Defensive linemen 98 Jackie Cline LDT 95 Joe Cugliari RDT 78 Dave Pureifory LDE 69 Mike Perko DE 99 Ronnie Paggett DE 93 Ray Coley DE		Linebackers 55 Herb Spencer LLB 52 Billy Roe MLB 58 Taft Sales RLB 56 Mike Murphy LB 53 Thomas Boyd LB Defensive backs 45 Von Mansfield LCB 27 Ricky Ray RCB 22 Don Burrell CB 26 David Evans FS 41 Fred Bohannon FS 34 Robert Gentry SS Special teams 1 Danny Miller K 89 Bob Parsons P		Developmental squad 11 Phil Kessel, Sr. QB 84 Jim Brown TE 97 Larry Curtis DT 52 Dan Gooch LB 51 Max Jones LB 21 Dennis Woodberry CB		Injured Reserve 76 Phil Boren OT 62 Scott LaFond OG 4 Scott Norwood K rookies in italics 43 Active, 7 Developmental

1985 season

After having a very successful 1984 season and coming to within a win of the USFL Championship game, the Stallions entered 1985 with high hopes. However, the team was nearly derailed in mid-season. On March 4, ESM Government Securities, a Florida-based securities dealer owned by Tampa Bay Bandits co-owner Steve Arky, was raided and shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The ESM raid, and Arky's subsequent suicide, triggered a massive run on Home State Savings Bank, the Cincinnati-based savings and loan Warner controlled, resulting in its seizure by Ohio regulators.

With most of his money tied up in either Home State or the Stallions, Warner was forced to give up control of the Stallions just days after Home State's collapse. The league had required its owners to post a $1.3 million letter of credit for just such an emergency. Unfortunately, the Stallions' letter of credit was backed by Home State, rendering it worthless.

In response, team president Jerry Sklar urged the Stallions' limited partners to chip in more money, and persuaded the city government to buy a $100,000 stake in the team along with a $900,000 credit line. This allowed the Stallions to stay in business and remain in Birmingham.

More or less out of necessity, the Stallions exercised more fiscal responsibility in 1985 and made only minor upgrades to their roster in the off-season. The only notable addition during the off-season was defensive tackle Doug Smith who was a 2nd round pick by the Houston Oilers in 1984. Smith, an Auburn graduate, was a territorial selection of the Stallions in 1984, and signed with the Stallions after being unable to come to a contract agreement with the Oilers.

After acquiring the first overall pick in the 1985 USFL Open Draft, the Stallions selected a wide receiver from Mississippi Valley State University named Jerry Rice. The USFL draft was held in January 1985, however, when the NFL Draft was held four months later, Rice was considered a "project" by several NFL scouting staffs and dropped to the 16th overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers.

Although Rice signed with the 49ers, credit should be given to GM Jerry Sklar and his staff for realizing the potential of Rice well ahead of most other professional scouting staffs.

With the USFL from 18 to 14 teams, the Stallions also acquired some solid depth in safety David Dumars from the Denver Gold, offensive tackle Phil McKinnely from the Memphis Showboats, linebacker Ken Kelley from the Chicago Blitz and defensive back Mickey Sutton from the Pittsburgh Maulers.

Birmingham opened the season, as they did in 1984, by hosting the New Jersey Generals at Legion Field. The game featured the USFL debut of 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie at quarterback for the Generals. In front of 34,785 at Legion Field, the Stallions controlled the majority of the game and won their opener, 38–28 over New Jersey.

The Stallions jumped out to a 5–1 record in 1985 and finished the regular season on a 6-1 clip to claim the Eastern Conference title and the #2 seed in the USFL Playoffs with a 13-5-0 mark. Only the Oakland Invaders had a better record in 1985 with a 13-4-1 record.

Quarterback Cliff Stoudt had a solid season passing for 3,358 yards, 34 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Stoudt's 34 touchdown passes was second only to Houston's Jim Kelly who tossed for 39 majors in 1985.

Stoudt's primary target in 1985 was wide receiver Jim Smith who had a career year catching a USFL record 20 touchdown passes. Smith caught 87 passes for a league leading 1,322 yards and was named to the USFL All-Star team.

Running back Joe Cribbs recorded his second consecutive 1,000+ yard season with 1,047 yards on 267 carries and 7 touchdowns.

Safety Chuck Clanton also set a professional football record with 16 interceptions in 1985 as he also added 275 returns yards and a major picking off passes. The NFL record of 14 in a season was set in 1952 by Dick 'Night Train' Lane of the Los Angeles Rams. The CFL record of 15 in a season was set in 1972 by Al Brenner of the Calgary Stampeders.

In the USFL Quarter-Final, the Stallions defeated the visiting Houston Gamblers 22–20, at Legion Field.

The following week, the Stallions hosted the defending champion, and nemesis, the Baltimore Stars at Legion Field. After losing to the Stars in the Eastern Conference final in 1984, the Stallions were hoping to exact revenge, however, they dropped a 28-14 decision to Baltimore in what would eventually be Birmingham's last USFL game.

1985 Birmingham Stallions Opening Day Roster

Birmingham Stallions 1985 Opening Day Roster (at 26-Feb-85)
Quarterbacks 18 Cliff Stoudt 12 Bobby Lane Running backs 20 Joe Cribbs RB 23 Earl Gant RB 42 Paul Ott Carruth RB/KR 35 Joel Coles FB 30 Leon Perry FB Wide receivers 86 Jim Smith 80 Thad McFadden 4 Joey Jones 85 Ken Toler Tight ends 81 Darryl Mason 89 Robin Earl		Offensive linemen 73 Phil McKinnely LT 79 Lindsey Mason RT 78 Buddy Aydelette LG 74 Pat Saindon RG 59 Mark Battaglia C 64 Mike Turner C/G Defensive linemen 98 Jackie Cline LDT 97 Doug Smith RDT 70 Malcolm Taylor DT 78 Dave Pureifory LDE 76 Don Reese RDE 99 Ronnie Paggett DE 91 Mike St. Clair DE		Linebackers 55 Herb Spencer LLB 52 Billy Roe MLB 56 Ken Kelley RLB 52 Thomas Boyd LB 57 Doak Field LB 58 Taft Sales LB Defensive backs 21 Dennis Woodberry LCB 26 David Evans RCB 25 Mickey Sutton CB 43 Fletcher Louallen CB 24 Chuck Clanton FS 22 David Dumars SS 31 Ted Walton FS 40 Larry Friday SS Special teams 1 Danny Miller K 87 Bob Parsons P 65 Joe Bock LS		Developmental squad 14 Tom Rozantz QB 28 Andre Thomas RB 84 Jim Brown TE 71 Pat Phenix OT 62 Scott LaFond OG 90 Mike Simeta DT 69 Mike Perko DE		Injured Reserve None rookies in italics 43 Active, 7 Developmental

1985 Birmingham Stallions Schedule

Week	Day	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	TV	Venue	Attendance
Preseason
1	Saturday	February 2, 1985	at San Antonio Gunslingers	T 0–0	0–0–1		Alamo Stadium
2	Bye
3	Saturday	February 16, 1985	Houston Gamblers	L 10–20	0–1–1	KTXH	Legion Field
Regular season
1	Sunday	February 24, 1985	New Jersey Generals	W 38–28	1–0	ABC	Legion Field	34,785
2	Sunday	March 3, 1985	Denver Gold	L 23–40	1–1		Legion Field	27,400
3	Saturday	March 9, 1985	at Orlando Renegades	W 34–10	2–1		Orlando Stadium	25,831
4	Saturday	March 16, 1985	Memphis Showboats	W 34–19	3–1		Legion Field	34,500
5	Sunday	March 24, 1985	at Baltimore Stars	W 7–3	4–1		Byrd Stadium	14,529
6	Saturday	March 30, 1985	Jacksonville Bulls	W 25–18	5–1		Legion Field	41,200
7	Sunday	April 7, 1985	at San Antonio Gunslingers	L 14–15	5–2		Alamo Stadium	8,873
8	Saturday	April 13, 1985	Oakland Invaders	W 20–17	6–2	ESPN	Legion Field	44,500
9	Saturday	April 20, 1985	Tampa Bay Bandits	W 30–3	7-2	ESPN	Legion Field	28,900
10	Sunday	April 28, 1985	at Jacksonville Bulls	L 17–27	7–3	ABC	Gator Bowl	41,298
11	Friday	May 3, 1985	at Memphis Showboats	L 24–38	7–4	ESPN	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	29,025
12	Saturday	May 11, 1985	Portland Breakers	W 14–0	8–4	ESPN	Legion Field	28,500
13	Sunday	May 19, 1985	at Los Angeles Express	W 44–7	9–4		Los Angeles Coliseum	4,658
14	Monday	May 27, 1985	Orlando Renegades	W 41-17	10–4	ESPN	Legion Field	24,500
15	Monday	June 3, 1985	at Houston Gamblers	W 29–27	11–4	ESPN	Houston Astrodome	13,202
16	Saturday	June 8, 1985	Baltimore Stars	W 14–7	12–4	ESPN	Byrd Stadium	24,300
17	Saturday	June 15, 1985	at Tampa Bay Bandits	L 14–17	12–5		Tampa Stadium	42,131
18	Sunday	June 23, 1985	at New Jersey Generals	W 14–6	13–5	ABC	Giants Stadium	44,098
Playoffs
Quarterfinals	Saturday	June 29, 1985	Houston Gamblers	W 22–20	—	ABC	Legion Field	18,500
Semifinals	Sunday	July 7, 1985	Baltimore Stars	L 14–28	—	ABC	Legion Field	23,250

Sources^[10][11][12]

1985 Birmingham Stallions End of Season Roster

Birmingham Stallions 1985 End of Season Roster (at 23-Jun-85)
Quarterbacks 18 Cliff Stoudt 12 Bobby Lane Running backs 20 Joe Cribbs RB 42 Paul Ott Carruth RB/KR 35 Joel Coles FB 28 Andre Thomas FB Wide receivers 86 Jim Smith 4 Joey Jones 85 Ken Toler 80 Thad McFadden Tight ends 81 Darryl Mason 89 Robin Earl 88 Jay Repko		Offensive linemen 73 Phil McKinnely LT 71 Pat Phenix RT 72 Franky Smith T 64 Mike Turner LG 74 Pat Saindon RG 62 Scott LaFond G 59 Mark Battaglia G/C Defensive linemen 98 Jackie Cline LDT 97 Doug Smith RDT 70 Malcolm Taylor DT 90 Mike Simeta DT 78 Dave Pureifory LDE 69 Mike Perko RDE 99 Ronnie Paggett DE 54 Dallas Hickman DE		Linebackers 55 Herb Spencer LLB 52 Billy Roe MLB 56 Mike Kelley RLB 57 Greg Gerken LB 53 Thomas Boyd LB Defensive backs 21 Dennis Woodberry LCB 26 David Evans RCB 25 Mickey Sutton CB 24 Chuck Clanton FS 22 David Dumars SS 31 Ted Walton SS Special teams 1 Danny Miller K 89 Bob Parsons P 65 Joe Bock LS		Developmental squad 14 Tom Rozantz QB 37 Ted Sample FB 78 Buddy Aydelette OG 76 Don Reese DE 43 Fletcher Louallen CB 34 Robert Gentry FS		Injured Reserve 84 Jim Brown TE rookies in italics 43 Active, 6 Developmental

Single-season records

• Rushing attempts; 297 (1984), Joe Cribbs
• Rushing yards: 1467 (1984), Joe Cribbs
• Rushing TDs: 13 (1984), Leon Perry
• Receptions: 89 (1984), Jim Smith
• Receiving yards: 1607 (1984), Jim Smith (USFL record)
• Receiving TDs; 20 (1985), Jim Smith (USFL record)
• Pass Completions: 266 (1985), Cliff Stoudt
• Pass Attempts; 444 (1985), Cliff Stoudt
• Passing yards: 3188 (1985), Cliff Stoudt
• Passing TDs: 35 (1985), Cliff Stoudt
• Kickoff returns: 26 (1985), Paul Ott Carruth
• Kickoff return yards: 477 (1985), Paul Ott Carruth
• Kickoff return Avg: 23.2 (1984), Lonnie Johnson
• Punt returns: 33 (1985), Thad McFadden
• Punt return yards: 328 (1985), Thad McFadden
• Punt return Avg: 9.9 (1985), Thad McFadden
• Field Goals Made: 25 (1983), Scott Norwood
• Field Goal Attempts: 34 (1983), Scott Norwood
• Punts: 67 (1985), Bob Parsons
• Punt Yardage: 2626 (1985), Bob Parsons
• Punt Average: 41.4 (1983), Skip Johnston
• Tackles: 149 (1985), Herb Spencer
• Sacks: 10.0 (1984), Dave Pureifory
• Passes Defensed: 18 (1985), Chuck Clanton
• Fumbles Recoveries: 3 (1984), Mike Murphy
• Interceptions: 16 (1985), Chuck Clanton (USFL and Pro Football record)
• Interception yards: 275 (1985), Chuck Clanton (USFL record)

Season-by-season

Season records

Season	W	L	T	Finish	Playoff results
1983	9	9	0	4th Central	--
1984	14	4	0	1st EC Southern	Won Quarterfinal (Tampa Bay) Lost Semifinal (Philadelphia)
1985	13	5	0	1st EC	Won Quarterfinal (Houston) Lost Semifinal (Baltimore)
Totals	38	20	0	(including playoffs)

After football

A few of those associated with the Stallions made their mark in Birmingham after the league folded:

• Joey Jones, who played wide receiver, coached football at two local high schools. In 2006, he became the first head football coach at Birmingham Southern College since 1939, when football was cancelled as a varsity sport. In 2008, after just one year at BSC, he returned to his hometown of Mobile and started the college football program at the University of South Alabama.
• Joe Cribbs returned to the NFL to finish out his football career. He returned to Birmingham to help those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
• Jim Hilyer, an assistant coach, went on to be the first ever football coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He would also be an assistant to three other pro football teams to play in Birmingham. After football, he was an instructor in physical fitness at the Birmingham Police Academy.
• Buddy Aydelette is a city councilman with Trussville. Aydelette played offensive lineman for the Stallions and the University of Alabama.

Other history

The Stallions were the first pro football team to draft Jerry Rice. They received the first overall pick in the 1985 USFL Draft, due to a trade with the Orlando Renegades. Rice never played in Birmingham.

Among those considered to be Birmingham's coach were Bobby Bowden, Gene Stallings, and Hank Stram.

References

1. "Remember the USFL - Birmingham Stallions". Archived from the original on 2005-03-15. Retrieved 2005-04-26.
2. "Birmingham Stallions - USFL (United States Football League)".
3. Pearlman, Jeff (2018). Football For A Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0544454385.
4. statscrew.com 1983 Birmingham Stallions Game-by-Game Results Retrieved January 5, 2019
5. usflsite.com 1983 USFL Season Retrieved January 5, 2019
6. profootballarchives.com 1983 Birmingham Stallions (USFL) Retrieved January 5, 2019
7. statscrew.com 1984 Birmingham Stallions Game-by-Game Results Retrieved January 5, 2019
8. usflsite.com 1984 USFL Season Retrieved January 5, 2019
9. profootballarchives.com 1984 Birmingham Stallions (USFL) Retrieved January 5, 2019
10. statscrew.com 1985 Birmingham Stallions Game-by-Game Results Retrieved January 5, 2019
11. usflsite.com 1985 USFL Season Retrieved January 5, 2019
12. profootballarchives.com 1985 Birmingham Stallions (USFL) Retrieved January 5, 2019

External links

• USFL.info - Birmingham Stallions
• BirminghamProSports.com
• Remember the USFL's Birmingham Stallions Page
• Our Sports Central's Birmingham Stallions Page