World Football League 1974-1975 (Irish Players)

World Football League Logo [Ref: 3]

WFL 1974

 PWLTPFPAPct
Eastern Division       
*Florida Blazers201460419280.700
Charlotte Hornets2010100467350.500
*Philadelphia Bell209110493413.450
Jacksonville Sharks144100258358.286
Central Division       
*Memphis Southmen201730629365.850
*Birmingham Americans201550503394.750
Chicago Fire207130446622.350
Detroit Wheels141130209358.071
Western Division       
*Southern California Sun201370486622.350
*Honolulu Hawaiians209110413425.450
Portland Storm207121204426.375
Shreveport Steamer207121240415.375

References: [1]

First Round Playoffs   
Florida Blazers18Philadelphia Bell3
Honolulu Hawaiians32Southern California Sun14
Semi-Finals   
Florida Blazers18Memphis Southmen15
Birmingham Americans22Honolulu Hawaiians19
World Bowl 74   
Birmingham Americans22Florida Blazers21

References: [1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Hawaiians in 1974. [2]

WFL 1975

 PWLTPFPAPct
Eastern Division       
Birmingham Vulcans12930257186.750
Memphis Southmen11740254206.636
Charlotte Hornets11650225199.545
Jacksonville Express11650227247.545
Philadelphia Bell11470195237.364
Western Division       
Southern California Sun12750354341.583
San Antonio Wings13760364268.538
Shreveport Steamer12570276313.417
Honolulu Hawaiians11470213269.364
Portland Thunder11470210281.364
Chicago Winds514067125.200

References: [1]

Adrian Young, LB, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, played Linebacker for the Hawaiians in 1975. [2]

Report

The World Football League was a Major League rival to the NFL that aimed to bring American Football to a Worldwide audience, though it got no further than Hawaii.

It placed teams in cities that did not have NFL teams, but its business model failed, and after two weeks of the second-half fall season in 1975 if folded.

The winners of the only World Bowl, in 1974, were the Birmingham Americans, who defeated Orlando’s Florida Blazers 22-21.

The NFL took note, however, and started promoting the NFL to TV audiences in Europe at the end of the 1970s and early 1980s, leading to the creation of American Football Leagues throughout Europe from 1980 onwards, which are still in existence.

Adrian Young, born in Dublin, Ireland, played for the Hawaiians from 1974-1975, as well as Philadelphia Eagles (1968-1972), Detroit Lions (1972) & Chicago Bears (1973) in the National Football League beforehand. [2]

References

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Websites

[1] 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]

[2] Pro Football Archives (2019) Adrian Young [Internet] Available from: https://www.profootballarchives.com/playery/youn00400.html [Accessed 12 October 2019]

Images

[3] 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]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Tim Leadingham

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

World Gridiron Archive

Last Updated: 11 February 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and World Gridiron Archive 2019

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

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