A NEW LEAGUE IS BORN
The inaugural season of the United States Football League began on March 6 with five games, including the professional debut of 1982 Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, who signed with the New Jersey Generals just weeks before the start of the season. Walker's Generals make their debut against the Los Angeles Express in a game that, not surprisingly, was chosen by ABC as the nationally broadcast game of the week. That didn't deter 34,002 fans from going to the L.A. Coliseum to see Walker in action, and while Walker rushed for 65 yards and the first touchdown in Generals history, it would be the Express that would win the game for their hometown fans, 20-15.
On the east coast, the Chicago Blitz demolished the Washington Federals at RFK Stadium in what was considered the league's "kickoff" game, taking a 21-0 lead at the half and holding on for a 28-7 win. In Tampa meanwhile, the hometown Bandits drew an impressive 42,437 to the gate, then gave them a show as John Reaves found wideout Willie Gillespie to come from behind and post a 21-17 victory over the Boston Breakers. The Denver Gold hosted the Philadelphia Stars, losing 13-7 but drawing 45,102 fans. The Gold used an interesting marketing technique, offering fans refunds of their ticket price to any who wanted one after the first quarter ended. Very few would take the team up on the offer - a good sign.
The last Sunday game of the week saw the Oakland Invaders pitch the first shutout in USFL history, beating the Arizona Wranglers in Phoenix in front of a league-high 45,167 fans. On Monday night, the Birmingham Stallions and Michigan Panthers slugged it out in a defensive duel won by the Stallions, 9-7.
http://www.usfl.info/1983.html
