IT WAS TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY: On March 6, 1983, crowds in Arizona, Denver, Tampa, Washington, and Los Angeles gathered to witness inaugural games in a professional sports league destined to be remembered not so much for its players, not for its impact on the game, but for a check in the amount of $3.76, never cashed, representing the total damages suffered by the league on account of monopolistic practices.
Yes, twenty years ago today, the USFL was born -- home of the Memphis Showboats, Donald Trump, Herschel Walker, Anthony Carter, Kelvin Bryant and the Boston/New Orleans/Portland Breakers; birthplace of the zone blitz and run-and-shoot offense.
The league lasted three seasons before folding after an unfavorable antitrust verdict on July 29, 1986, when a federal jury determined that the NFL did violate antitrust laws in attempting to monopolize the professional football market, but that the damages were limited to one dollar, trebled, plus interest, and not quite the $567,000,000 in damages sought by the USFL.
You can enjoy ESPN's rather extensive coverage today of the twenty-year anniversary by starting here. In addition, there are many USFL fansites on the web, including the freakishly comprehensive ThisIsTheUSFL.com and RememberTheUSFL.
Amazingly, two USFL veterans still remain active players in the NFL. You find out who they are via this link.
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