Continental Football League 1965-1969
| Number | Teams |
| Atlantic North Division | |
| 1 | Norfolk Neptunes |
| 2 | Hartford Charter Oaks |
| 3 | Montreal Beavers |
| 4 | Toronto Rifles |
| 5 | Providence Indians |
| 6 | Springfield Acorns |
| Atlantic South Division | |
| 7 | Akron Vulcans |
| 8 | Fort Worth Warriors |
| 9 | Orlando Panthers |
| 10 | Philadelphia Bulldogs |
| 11 | Alabama Hawks |
| 12 | Jersey Jays |
| Central Division (North) | |
| 13 | Indianapolis Capitols |
| 14 | Quad Cities Raiders |
| 15 | Michigan Arrows |
| 16 | Chicago Owls |
| 17 | Indianapolis Warriors |
| 18 | Tri-City Apollos |
| Central Division (South) | |
| 19 | Oklahoma City Plainsmen |
| 20 | Arkansas Diamonds |
| 21 | Omaha Mustangs |
| 22 | Charleston Rockets |
| Pacific Division (North) | |
| 23 | Seattle Rangers |
| 24 | Eugene Bombers |
| 25 | Victoria Steelers |
| 26 | Spokane Shockers |
| 27 | Portland Loggers |
| Pacific Division (South) | |
| 28 | Las Vegas Cowboys |
| 29 | Orange County Ramblers |
| 30 | Sacramento Buccaneers |
| 31 | Long Beach Admirals |
| 32 | Sacramento Capitols |
World Football Leagues Teams 1972-1975
| Number | Teams |
| Texas Football League 1968 | |
| 1 | West Texas Roughnecks |
| 2 | Texarkana Titans |
| 3 | Tulsa Thunderbirds |
| 4 | Fort Worth Braves |
| 5 | Mexico Golden Aztecs |
| Southwestern Pro Football League (West) 1972-1973 | |
| 6 | Las Vegas Casinos |
| 7 | Phoenix Blazers |
| 8 | Southern California Razorbacks |
| 9 | New Mexico Thunderbirds |
| 10 | Denver Oilers |
| Southwestern Pro Football League (East) 1972-1973 | |
| 11 | Dallas Rockets (CoFL) |
| 12 | San Antonio Toros (CoFL) |
| 13 | Oklahoma City Wranglers |
| 14 | Kansas City Steers |
| World Football League (Eastern) 1974-1975 | |
| 15 | Florida Blazers |
| 16 | Charlotte Hornets |
| 17 | Philadelphia Bell |
| 18 | Jacksonville Sharks |
| 19 | New York Stars |
| 20 | Birmingham Vulcans |
| World Football League (Central) 1974-1975 | |
| 21 | Birmingham Americans |
| 22 | Memphis Southmen |
| 23 | Chicago Fire |
| 24 | Detroit Wheels |
| 25 | Chicago Winds |
| 26 | Houston Texans |
| World Football League (Western) 1974-1975 | |
| 27 | Southern California Sun |
| 28 | Hawaiians |
| 29 | Portland Storm |
| 30 | Shreveport Steamer |
| 31 | San Antonio Wings |
| 32 | Portland Thunder |
Note: The Texas Football League of the late 1960s joined the Continental Football League in 1969. San Antonio Toros and Dallas Rockets of the Texas League joined Southwestern Pro Football League in 1972.
American Football Association 1977-1983
| Number | Teams |
| Eastern | |
| 1 | Carolina Chargers |
| 2 | Jacksonville Firebirds |
| 3 | Alabama Vulcans |
| 4 | Kentucky Trackers |
| 5 | Virginia Hunters |
| 6 | Orlando Americans |
| Southeastern | |
| 7 | Georgia Pride |
| 8 | Alabama Magic |
| 9 | Tallahassee Statesmen |
| 10 | Carolina Storm |
| 11 | Florida Sun |
| 12 | Jacksonville Sunbirds |
| Western | |
| 13 | San Antonio Charros |
| 14 | Mississippi Stars |
| 15 | Arkansas Champs |
| 16 | Tulsa Mustangs |
| American | |
| 17 | Wichita Falls Steelers |
| 18 | Wichita Falls Roughnecks |
| 19 | Oklahoma City Warriors |
| 20 | Houston Seagulls |
| 21 | Forth Worth Texas Stars |
| 22 | Houston Titans |
| Southwest | |
| 23 | Austin Texans |
| 24 | Texas Wranglers |
| 25 | Oklahoma Thunder |
| 26 | San Antonio Bulls |
| 27 | Houston Armadillos |
| Northeast | |
| 28 | Racine Gladiators |
| 29 | Buffalo Geminis |
| 30 | Virginia Chargers |
| 31 | Roanoke Valley Express |
| 32 | Pittsburgh Colts |
United States Football Leagues 1961-1964 / 1983-1985
| Number | Teams |
| United Football League (Eastern) 1961-1964 | |
| 1 | Columbus Capitols |
| 2 | Syracuse Stormers |
| 3 | Quebec Rifles |
| 4 | Joliet Chargers |
| United Football League (Western) 1961-1964 | |
| 5 | Grand Rapids Blazers |
| 6 | Grand Rapids Shamrocks |
| 7 | Louisville Raiders |
| 8 | Baton Rouge Red Wings |
| 9 | Houston Mustangs |
| 10 | Oklahoma City Drillers |
| United States Football League (Atlantic) 1983-1985 | |
| 11 | Philadelphia Stars |
| 12 | New Jersey Generals |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Maulers |
| 14 | Washington Federals |
| 15 | Baltimore Stars |
| 16 | Boston Breakers |
| United States Football League (Southern) 1983-1985 | |
| 17 | Birmingham Stallions |
| 18 | Tampa Bay Bandits |
| 19 | New Orleans Breakers |
| 20 | Memphis Showboats |
| 21 | Jacksonville Bulls |
| 22 | Orlando Renegades |
| United States Football League (Central) 1983-1985 | |
| 23 | Michigan Panthers |
| 24 | Chicago Blitz |
| 25 | Houston Gamblers |
| 26 | San Antonio Gunslingers |
| 27 | Oklahoma Outlaws |
| United States Football League (Pacific) 1983-1985 | |
| 28 | Oakland Invaders |
| 29 | Los Angeles Express |
| 30 | Denver Gold |
| 31 | Arizona Wranglers |
| 32 | Portland Breakers |
Note: Indianapolis Warriors moved from United Football League (1961-1964) to Continental Football League (1965-1969)
Tom Furlong
Born: Daingean, Co. offaly
Career: Kicker on the Practice Squad of the New York Giants (NFL) 1965 / Pre-Season signing for Atlanta Falcons (NFL) 1966 (Cut after tearing cruciate ligaments) / Brooklyn Dodgers, Continental Football League 1966.
Biography: Tom Furlong was born in Daingean, Co. Offaly, and played Inter-County Football for Offaly, before being banned by the County Board for playing Soccer. Sitting in a bar in New York, he overheard members of the New York Giants Coaching Staff lamenting at the quality of their kickers (The Giants were having a woeful season) and having seen the game on TV, thought there was nothing to it a GAA player could not do, and volunteered to try out. He got on the Practice Squad for the Giants in 1965, leading to interviews with the New York Times and other newspapers with Irish-American connections.
The Giants brought in a new Kicker the following season, but the Irish-American Community Leaders, seeing the value of an Irish-born player in the NFL, arranged tryouts with the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. He was signed by the Falcons for $12, 000-a-yeat contract, but unfortunately tore his cruciate ligament in training four days before the start of the season.
He didn’t give up on a Pro Career, however, as he was only working as a carpet fitter at the time and signed for the Brookyn Dodgers in the Continental Football League, where he played the 1966 season before retiring, as he thought his kicking was never as good after the injury.
Reference: [2]
Adrian Young
Born: Albert Court, Dublin, Ireand.
Career: Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles (1968-1972), Detroit Lions (1972-1973), Chicago Bears (1973), The Hawaiians (1974-1975)
Biography: Adrian Young, born in Dublin, Ireland, played for the Hawaiians fro 1974-1975, as well as Philadelphia Eagles (1968-1972), Detroit Lions (1972) & Chicago Bears (1973) in the National Football League beforehand. [2]
He left Ireland with his family in the 1960s and settled in Baltimore, Maryland. His father worked in a meat-packing factory, but it wasn’t long before they headed off to California, the family and all their belongings packed in a car, and the traveled across the Appalachian Trail, settling in La Puente, Los Angeles.
He played on the Football team there for Bishop Amat High school, whose coach was ex-Notre Dame Fighting Irish. They won an Inter-State Championship, and Adrian got a scholarship to USC (the University of Southern California). Here he mingled with Hollywood Actors in the Acting department, as well as playing on the same team as O.J. Simpson, who won the Heisman Trophy (annually awarded to the Best College Player) during his time there and went on to become the NFL’s All-Time leading rusher.
He got picked up by Philadelphia Eagles out of College, but his time in the NFL wasn’t as successful as his time in College, as the Eagles were in a period of transition, and chhanging coaches regularly. He played for the Eagles from 1968-1972, and the the detroit Lions and Chicago Bears from 1972 to 1973, before finishing off his career with The Hawaiians of the World Football League in 1974 and 1975.
References
Websites
[1] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1961 Season [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1961.html [Accessed 18 October 2019]
[2] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1961 Season | Grand Rapids Shamrocks [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1961uflgr.html [Accessed 7 November 2019]
[3] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1962 Season [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1962.html [Accessed 18 October 2019]
[4] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1962 Season Grand Rapids Blazers [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1962uflgr.html [Accessed 7 November 2019]
[5] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1963 Season [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1963.html [Accessed 18 October 2019]
[6] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1963 Season | Toledo Tornadoes [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1963ufltol.html [Accessed 7 November 2019 ]
[7] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1964 Season [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1964.html [Accessed 18 October 2019]
[8] Pro Football Archives (2019) 1964 Season | Canton Bulldogs [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/1964uflcan.html [Accessed 7 November 2019 ]
Websites:
[9] Greater Northwest Football Alliance (2017) Continental Football League (1965-1969) [Internet] Available from: http://www.gnfafootball.org/continentalleague.htm [Accessed 30 August 2017]
Sources:
[10] Hannigan, Dara (1987) “Greening of the Gridiron” The Sunday Tribune , 27 July 1987. Sportweek, pg. 10 [Available online at the British Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ ]
Images:
[11] Greater Northwest Football Alliance (2017) Continental Football League Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.gnfafootball.org/photos/continental.jpg [Accessed 28 July 2019]
Bibliography
[12] Gill, Bob et al (2010) “Season-by-Season Listings- Other Leagues” Outsiders II – Minor League and Independent Football 1951-1985 pg. 120-121. St. Johann Press, Haworth, NJ (USA), 2010
Websites
[13] Bob Braunwart, The Coffin Corner, Pro Football Researchers Association (1988) WFL by Team Records [Internet] Available from: http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/10-03-337.pdf [Accessed 9 October 2018]
[14] Pro Football Archives (2019) Adrian Young [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/playery/youn00400.html [Accessed 12 October 2019]
Images
[15] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) Birmingham Americans History | Logo World Football League [Internet] Available from: https://www.birminghamprosports.com/birminghamamericans/logo%20world%20football%20league.jpg [Accessed 11 February 2019]
Websites
[16] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1977 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1977.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]
[17] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1978 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1978.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]
[18] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1979 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1979.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]
[19] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1980 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1980.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]
[20] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1981 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1981.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]
[21] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1982 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1982.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]
[22] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA 1983 [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/afatribute/afa1983.html [Accessed 25 November 2019]
Images
[23] Birmingham Pro Sports (2019) AFA Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/alabamavulcans/logo%20american%20football%20association.jpg [Accessed 25 November 2019]
Websites
[24] USFL.info (2017) 1983 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1983standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]
[25] USFL.info (2017) 1983 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1983playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]
[26] USFL.info (2017) 1984 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1984standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]
[27] USFL.info (2017) 1984 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1984playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]
[28] USFL.info (2017) 1985 Standings [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1985standings.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]
[29] USFL.info (2017) 1985 Playoffs [Internet] Available from: http://www.usfl.info/1985playoffs.html [Accessed 3 February 2017]
Images
[30] Sports Logos History (2018) USFL Logo 1983-1985 [Internet] Available from: https://sportslogohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/united_states_football_league.png [Accessed 31 December 2019]
Websites
[31] O’Callaghan, Eoin (2020) “Hollywood, the NFL, and OJ – the remarkable tale of the Dublin kid who lived the American dream” The 42.ie. Suday, 2 February 2020. [Internet] Available from: https://www.the42.ie/adrian-young-nfl-4987121-Feb2020/ [Accessed 5 February 2020]
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Michael O’Callaghan.
About this document
Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the
Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive
Last Updated: 7 March 2020
(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020
You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.