Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars

Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars
Founded 1983
Folded 1986
Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(1983–1984)
Baltimore, Maryland (1985)
Home field Veterans Stadium (1983–1984)
Franklin Field (1984 post season)
Byrd Stadium (1985)
League USFL
Conference Eastern Conference
Division Atlantic Division (1983–84)
Eastern Division (1985)
Team History Philadelphia Stars (1983–84)
Baltimore Stars (1985)
Team colors Crimson, Old Gold, White
              
Head coaches Jim Mora (1983–85)
48–13–1 (.782)
Owner(s) Myles Tanenbaum
USFL Championships 1984, 1985
Conference championships 1983, 1984, 1985

The Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars were a professional American football team which played in the United States Football League (USFL) in the mid-1980s. Owned by real-estate magnate Myles Tanenbaum, they were the short-lived league's dominant team, playing in all three championship games and winning the latter two. They played their first two seasons in Philadelphia before relocating to Baltimore for the USFL's final season. Coached by Jim Mora, the Stars won a league-best 41 regular season games and 7 playoff games.

Founding

On May 11, 1982, the announcement of the USFL was officially made by league owner and antique dealer, David Dixon.[1] The league's Philadelphia team (later named as the Stars) would be owned by Myles H. Tanenbaum. George Perles was originally named as the team's head coach in July 1982. Perles, previously an assistant coach for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, never coached a game for the Stars, opting to take the head coach position for Michigan State instead. On January 15, 1983, the Stars hired Jim Mora to be their head coach. [2]

1983 season

The Stars began in Philadelphia in the USFL's inaugural 1983 season and played their home games at Veterans Stadium (the "Vet"). They compiled the league's best regular season record of 15–3 (.833), and advanced to the 1983 USFL championship game. Their "Doghouse Defense" allowed only 204 points in an 18-game season—the least in the history of the league. The Stars were led by fourth-year quarterback Chuck Fusina (1978 Heisman Trophy runner-up), fifth-year wide receiver Scott Fitzkee, rookie halfback Kelvin Bryant of North Carolina, rookie offensive tackle Irv Eatman of UCLA, rookie linebacker Sam Mills, and second-year safety Scott Woerner. The team also featured Towson's all-star rookie punter Sean Landeta. At the conclusion of the regular season, Bryant was named the USFL's Player of the Year by the Associated Press. [3]

The Stars entered the playoffs as the top-seeded team. In the Semi-Finals, the Stars were able to defeat the preseason favorites to win the 1983 title—George Allen's Chicago Blitz—by withstanding seven turnovers and erasing a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 44–38 in overtime.[4][5] In the league title game at Denver's Mile High Stadium on July 17, the Stars were edged out by Jim Stanley's Michigan Panthers, 24–22.[6] Just as they had against the Blitz, the Stars opened the game sluggishly, but finished with a flourish, after allowing the Panthers to carry a 17–3 lead into the fourth quarter.[7][8]

1983 schedule

Week Date Opponent Final Score W/L Record
1 March 6 at Denver Gold 13–7 W 1–0
2 March 13 New Jersey Generals 25–0 W 2–0
3 March 21 at Birmingham Stallions 17–10 W 3–0
4 March 27 Tampa Bay Bandits 22–27 L 3–1
5 April 3 Washington Federals 34–3 W 4–1
6 April 10 at Los Angeles Express 17–3 W 5–1
7 April 16 at Oakland Invaders 17–7 W 6–1
8 April 24 Boston Breakers 23–16 W 7–1
9 April 30 at Tampa Bay Bandits 24–10 W 8–1
10 May 8 Denver Gold 6–3 W 9–1
11 May 15 Chicago Blitz 31–24 W 10–1
12 May 22 at Arizona Wranglers 24–7 W 11–1
13 May 29 at Boston Breakers 17–21 L 11–2
14 June 5 Michigan Panthers 29–20 W 12–2
15 June 12 at New Jersey Generals 23–9 W 13–2
16 June 20 Oakland Invaders 12–6 W 14–2
17 June 26 Birmingham Stallions 31–10 W 15–2
18 July 3 at Washington Federals 14–21 L 15–3
SF July 9 Chicago Blitz 44–38 OT W 1–0
FL July 17 Michigan Panthers 22–24 L 1–1

1984 season

The Stars remained in Philadelphia for the 1984 season but were forced to relocate their post-season home games to Franklin Field due to a conflict with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Stars roared through the regular season with the league best 16–2 (.889) record, and routed George Allen's Arizona Wranglers, 23–3 for the league title in Florida at Tampa Stadium on July 15.[9][10] It was the last traditional professional football championship for the city of Philadelphia until the Eagles' Super Bowl LII victory at the end of the 2017 season, and its first since the 1960 NFL championship. The Stars were also becoming increasingly popular amongst fans, as average home attendance jumped from approximately 18,000 in 1983 to 28,000 in 1984. [11]

After the league championship game, the Stars played a rare post-season exhibition game with Tampa Bay in England on July 21, and defeated the Bandits 24–21 at Wembley Stadium in London.

1984 schedule

Week Date Opponent Final Score W/L Record
1 February 26 at Memphis Showboats 17–9 W 1–0
2 March 4 at Washington Federals 17–6 W 2–0
3 March 11 at New Jersey Generals 14–17 L 2–1
4 March 18 Oakland Invaders 28–7 W 3–1
5 March 24 at Pittsburgh Maulers 25–10 W 4–1
6 April 1 Tampa Bay Bandits 38–24 W 5–1
7 April 8 at Arizona Wranglers 22–21 W 6–1
8 April 15 Chicago Blitz 41–7 W 7–1
9 April 22 at San Antonio Gunslingers 24–10 W 8–1
10 April 27 New Orleans Breakers 35–0 W 9–1
11 May 4 at Birmingham Stallions 43–11 W 10–1
12 May 13 Los Angeles Express 18–14 W 11–1
13 May 19 Jacksonville Bulls 45–12 W 12–1
14 May 27 at Michigan Panthers 31–13 W 13–1
15 June 4 Pittsburgh Maulers 23–17 W 14–1
16 June 8 at Denver Gold 21–19 W 15–1
17 June 15 Washington Federals 31–8 W 16–1
18 June 24 New Jersey Generals 10–16 L 16–2
DR June 30 New Jersey Generals 28–7 W 1–0
CC July 7 Birmingham Stallions 20–10 W 2–0
FL July 15 Arizona Wranglers 23–3 W 3–0

Relocation to Baltimore

The league's owners, led by Donald Trump of the New Jersey Generals, voted to move play to the fall following the 1985 season. The Stars quickly realized they could not compete with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. Years later, Tanenbaum said that if he had stayed in Philadelphia, they would have had to start the season on an extended road trip due to MLB's Philadelphia Phillies sharing Veterans Stadium as well. Had the Phillies advanced to the World Series, the Stars would not be able to play a home game until November at the earliest. With no other stadium in the Philadelphia area suitable even for temporary use, Tanenbaum moved the team to Baltimore, which was still smarting from the loss of the NFL Colts three years earlier.[12] [13]

Baltimore welcomed the Colts with open arms, and Tanenbaum built a good relationship with then-mayor William Donald Schaefer. However, he ran into a problem when he discovered that the Stars could not play at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium until 1986 due to objections from Baltimore Orioles owner Edward Bennett Williams. Reportedly, general manager Hank Peters and manager Joe Altobelli were concerned about the Stars tearing up the turf.[13] With no other stadium in the immediate Baltimore area suitable for temporary use, Tanenbaum was forced to play at University of Maryland's Byrd Stadium in College Park, 29 miles (47 km) southwest of Baltimore and a Washington suburb (coincidentally, the Washington USFL franchise, moved to Florida and became the Orlando Renegades the same season). This was all compounded by the Washington Redskins' success during these years which included playing in the Super Bowl in January 1983 and 1984. Further complicating matters, the team kept its operations in Philadelphia and commuted to College Park for games—effectively consigning the Stars to 18 road games for the league's lame-duck spring season.[14]

1985 season

At least in part due to all the moving, the Stars initially struggled in 1985, but won nine of their last 13 games to secure a wild-card berth. Baltimore-area fans were happy to see the return of pro football after a two-year absense, and their games were aired on the city's most powerful station, WBAL. However, many Baltimoreans balked at making the 35-minute drive down Interstate 95 to see the Stars play in College Park. Most were waiting for the team to begin play in the city's venerable Memorial Stadium a year later.

As a result, attendance sagged to the point that the Stars might have lost home-field advantage for the playoffs even with a winning record. ABC Sports, embarrassed at the dwindling attendance from around the league, told Usher it did not want to televise playoff games in near-empty stadiums. Since ABC had disproportionate influence on league affairs due to the structure of its contract with the USFL, Usher had little choice but to agree. However, the Stars managed to upend the favored New Jersey Generals and Birmingham Stallions in successive weeks to reach the title game at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Once there, the Stars won the USFL title beating the Bobby Hebert-led Oakland Invaders, 28–24.[15][16]

As it turned out, this was the final USFL game ever played. On July 29, 1986, a federal grand jury found in favor of the USFL in its antitrust suit against the NFL. However, the USFL was only awarded $1 in damages, tripled to $3 under antitrust law.[17][18] The jury foreman explained that they were unable to determine what amount the award should be. The jury misinterpreted the law and decided on the $1 award feeling it would be changed by the presiding judge. However, the judge was not able to adjust the monetary award once it was stipulated by the jury. As a result, the league suspended operations a day later, never to return.

1985 schedule

Week Date Opponent Final Score W/L Record
1 February 24 at Jacksonville Bulls 14–22 L 0–1
2 March 3 at Oakland Invaders 17–17 OT T 0–1–1
3 March 9 at Memphis Showboats 19–21 L 0–2–1
4 March 17 New Jersey Generals 29–9 W 1–2–1
5 March 24 Birmingham Stallions 3–7 L 1–3–1
6 March 31 at Houston Gamblers 27–14 W 2–3–1
7 April 7 at Los Angeles Express 17–6 W 3–3–1
8 April 14 Memphis Showboats 10–13 L 3–4–1
9 April 21 Portland Breakers 26–17 W 4–4–1
10 April 28 at Tampa Bay Bandits 14–29 L 4–5–1
11 May 5 Arizona Outlaws 24–19 W 5–5–1
12 May 12 at New Jersey Generals 3–10 L 5–6–1
13 May 17 at Orlando Renegades 34–21 W 6–6–1
14 May 26 San Antonio Gunslingers 28–10 W 7–6–1
15 June 2 Jacksonville Bulls 17–12 W 8–6–1
16 June 8 at Birmingham Stallions 7–14 L 8–7–1
17 June 15 Orlando Renegades 41–10 W 9–7–1
18 June 23 Tampa Bay Bandits 38–10 W 10–7–1
DR July 1 at New Jersey Generals 20–17 W 1–0
CC July 7 at Birmingham Stallions 28–14 W 2–0
FL July 14 Oakland Invaders 28–24 W 3–0

Legacy

The Stars are widely acknowledged to have been the best team to see the field in USFL history.

The Stars won 41 of 54 regular-season games and were 7–1 in the postseason. For the team's entire run, they were coached by Jim Mora (Sr), who later became a head coach in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. Mora was actually the Stars' second choice; Tannenbaum originally hired Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator George Perles, but Perles opted instead to take the open job at his alma mater, Michigan State.

Carl Peterson, who later became the president/general manager/chief executive officer of the Kansas City Chiefs, served as the team's General Manager for all three seasons.

Sean Landeta and Sam Mills both also had successful careers in the NFL. Landeta was one of the top punters in the NFL for two decades, and was the last former USFL player still active in the NFL at the time of his retirement in 2006. Mills had a sterling career with the Saints (alongside Mora) and the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers retired Mills' No. 51 jersey after his death from cancer in 2005.

Landeta and Bart Oates were also teammates with the New York Giants. Oates signed with the Giants in 1985. Both Oates and Landeta went on to win a combined five Super Bowl rings throughout their NFL careers. Both won two rings apiece with the Giants in 1986 and 1990, while Oates earned an additional ring with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994. Oates was selected to five Pro Bowls during his career and to the UPI All-NFC team three times. He was extremely durable, starting 125 consecutive games during his Giants career.

Single season leaders

Rushing Yards: 1470 (1983), Kelvin Bryant, 1406 (1984), Kelvin Bryant, 1207 (1985), Kelvin Bryant

Receiving Yards: 731 (1983), Scott Fitzkee, 1895 (1984), Scott Fitzkee, 882 (1985), Scott Fitzkee

Passing Yards: 2718 (1983), Chuck Fusina, 3837 (1984), Chuck Fusina, 3496 (1985), Chuck Fusina

Interceptions: 8 (1983), Scott Woerner, 7 (1984), Mike Lush, 10 (1985) Mike Lush

Sacks: 8.5 (1983), Don Fielder, 6 (1984) George Cooper, 10 (1985) John Walker

Season-by-season

SeasonWLTFinishPlayoff results
Philadelphia Stars
198315301st AtlanticWon Semifinal (Chicago)
Lost USFL Championship (Michigan)
198416201st EC AtlanticWon Quarterfinal (New Jersey)
Won Semifinal (Birmingham)
Won USFL Championship (Arizona)
Baltimore Stars
198510714th ECWon Quarterfinal (New Jersey)
Won Semifinal (Birmingham)
Won USFL Championship (Oakland)
Totals48131 (including playoffs)

References

  1. ↑ http://www.usflsite.com/history.php
  2. ↑ http://usflrevisited.webs.com/phi.htm
  3. ↑ http://usflrevisited.webs.com/standingsawards.htm
  4. ↑ Jauss, Bill (July 10, 1983). "Blitz has big fall off 21-point perch". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, sec. 3.
  5. ↑ Zonca, Tony (July 10, 1983). "Blitz sees Stars in comeback". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). p. 73.
  6. ↑ Jauss, Bill (July 18, 1983). "Michigan has magic touch in USFL title game". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, sec. 4.
  7. ↑ Domowitch, Paul (July 18, 1983). "A final rally for title not in Stars". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). Knight-Ridder. p. 17.
  8. ↑ Lowitt, Bruce (July 18, 1983). "Panthers tops stars for crown". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 13.
  9. ↑ Jauss, Bill (July 16, 1984). "Stars strangle Allen's Wranglers". Chicago Tribune. p. 5, sec. 3.
  10. ↑ "No denying Stars this time". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. July 16, 1984. p. 1B.
  11. ↑ http://www.usflsite.com/stars.php
  12. ↑ "Stars move to Baltimore". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 2, 1984. p. 3C.
  13. 1 2 Reeths, Paul (2017). The United States Football League, 1982-1986. McFarland & Company. ISBN 1476667446.
  14. ↑ https://www.phillyhistory.org/blog/index.php/2014/06/the-philadelphia-stars-philadelphias-other-pro-football-team/
  15. ↑ "Bryant helps Stars keep USFL title". July 15, 1985. p. 5, sec. 3.
  16. ↑ "Stars win last spring USFL title". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. July 15, 1985. p. C1.
  17. ↑ Smith, Sam (July 30, 1986). "A tough victory for USFL". Chicago Tribune. p. 1, sec. 4.
  18. ↑ "The verdict: USFL wins, and loses". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire services. July 30, 1986. p. 1B.



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