The Gridiron Football League: A New Vision for Professional Football
The Gridiron Football League: A New Vision for Professional Football
From the Sports Section of the Philadelphia Inquirer - August 21, 1986
1986 Gridiron Football League Season Preview
The Dawn of a New Era in Professional Football
After a year of planning and preparation, the Gridiron Football League is set to kick off its inaugural season in 1986. Eight teams divided into two conferences will battle for the right to be called the first-ever GFL champions. From the defensive prowess of the East to the offensive firepower of the West, this new league promises exciting football from coast to coast.
Head Coach: Vince Bonner
The Bulldogs enter the season as a defensively-minded squad under veteran coach Vince Bonner. With a "Stiff" and "Punishing" defensive unit, Boston will look to grind out victories with tough defense and opportunistic offense.
Key Players to Watch:
QB Marcus Rodriguez (27): A reliable veteran signal-caller who should provide steady leadership
RB Jaylen Washington (27): The offensive centerpiece with above-average ratings
WR Devon Mitchell (25): The top receiving threat with elite ratingsÂ
LB Connor Murphy, Isaiah Thomas, Andre Wilson: The "Punishing" linebacker corps that epitomizes Bonner's defensive philosophy
KR Casey Lattimore & PR Isaiah Brewton: Both rated "Electric" and could provide game-changing special teams plays
Outlook: A tough, physical team that will keep games close through defense and special teams. Their balanced offensive attack should control the clock effectively.
Head Coach: Everett MarshÂ
The Flames boast the highest-rated offense in the East with a "Dynamic" and "Secure" attack. Under defensive specialist Everett Marsh, they've built a balanced squad capable of explosive plays.
Key Players to Watch:
RB Adrian Collins (23): A dynamic young back with "Dynamic" and "Secure" ratings who could be the league's breakout star
TE Zach Miller (31): An elite tight end who provides a reliable target
MLB Austin Reed (31): The defensive anchor with "Punishing" and "Stiff" qualities
LB Damon Parker (28): Elite linebacker talent with "Mild" temperament
Outlook: Philadelphia has the offensive weapons to put up points while maintaining defensive integrity. Their combination of youth and veteran leadership makes them a dark horse contender.
Head Coach: Blaine Mendez
The Pounders field the strongest defense in the East, anchored by their secondary under coach Mendez's tutelage. However, their offense may struggle to keep pace.
Key Players to Watch:
WR Tre'Von Smith (31): Elite veteran receiver who remains the primary offensive weapon
ROLB Devon Clark (23): Outstanding young talent who could emerge as a defensive star
CB Isaiah Walker (26): Elite cornerback leading a strong secondary
KR Garrett Pierce & PR Landon Cross: Both "Electric" returners who could flip field position
Outlook: A team that will keep games low-scoring through dominant defense. Their success hinges on whether the offense can generate enough points to support their defensive efforts.
Head Coach: Milt SchroederÂ
Despite having an offensive-minded coach, the Monarchs struggle with a "Dull" and "Erratic" attack. Their "Solid" offensive line provides some hope for improvement.
Key Players to Watch:
RG Alex Cooper (31): The "Solid" anchor of the offensive line
LB Caleb Turner (26): "Stiff" linebacker who leads the defense
MLB Derrick Hayes (23): "Mild" but reliable defensive presence
SS Sean O'Malley (29): "Active" safety who could create turnovers
Outlook: The Monarchs face an uphill battle with the league's lowest team rating. Coach Schroeder's offensive line expertise may be their best hope for competitiveness.
Head Coach: Glen CollierÂ
The Avengers feature an intriguing blend of offensive potential and defensive strength. Coach Collier's elite quarterback development skills could unlock hidden potential in the passing game.
Key Players to Watch:
WR Marquis Jackson (32): Veteran receiver with "Erratic" but potentially explosive abilities
LE Marcus Evans & LT Antonio Lovis: Both elite pass rushers who anchor the defensive front
MLB Spencer Davis (25): Elite middle linebacker who quarterbacks the defense
CB Jaxon Hendricks (30): "Aggressive" elite corner who can shut down opposing receivers
PR Nolan Price (23): "Electric" return specialist who could change games
Outlook: A dangerous team with elite defensive talent and offensive upside. Their "Staunch" defense gives them a high floor, while Collier's coaching could elevate the offense.
Head Coach: Bobby Frost
The youngest coaching staff in the league brings energy and innovation. Frost's elite talent evaluation has assembled a dynamic offensive unit with aggressive defensive playmakers.
Key Players to Watch:
WR DeMarcus Williams (23): Elite young receiver with "Dynamic" and "Secure" ratings - a future superstar
WR Noah Thompson (28): Another elite wideout giving Phoenix a fearsome receiving duo
LT Mason Clark (25): Talented but "Undisciplined" lineman who needs coaching
RT Dominique Harris (26): "Punishing" defensive tackle who disrupts opposing offenses
FS Trevor MacPherson (32): "Aggressive" veteran safety who brings leadership to the secondary
Outlook: Phoenix has assembled elite offensive skill position talent that could light up scoreboards. Their success depends on young coach Frost's ability to harness all that talent into a cohesive unit.
Head Coach: Auston GarzaÂ
The Serpents feature a "Porous" offensive line that could undermine their offensive potential, despite having solid skill position players and an experienced coach.
Key Players to Watch:
WR Jayden Walsh (26): Elite receiver who provides a deep threat
TE Blake Hunter (26): Elite tight end who can exploit mismatches
LT Cameron Westbrook (24): Elite defensive tackle who anchors the defensive front
CB Jalen Stewart (30): Elite cornerback who can cover the opposition's top receiver
FS Tyler Stone (23): "Aggressive" safety who creates turnovers
Outlook: Seattle has talent but faces significant challenges with their offensive line issues. Their defense should keep them competitive while the offense searches for consistency.
Head Coach: John Wolf
The Surge present a puzzle with the league's highest-rated offense but concerning "Inefficient" tendencies and an aging quarterback situation.
Key Players to Watch:
WR Cameron Hayes (31): Elite veteran receiver with "Secure" and "Dynamic" abilities
LG Mazzy Valik (24): Elite young guard who anchors the offensive line
RG Damon Chambers (24): Another elite lineman providing interior protection
CB Jermaine Brennan (27): Elite cornerback leading the secondary
RT Trevon Blackwood (30): Veteran with "Undisciplined" tendencies that need addressing
PR Peter Gray (22): "Electric" return specialist who could provide field position advantages
Outlook: San Diego has the offensive talent to score points but may struggle with consistency. Their -1 rating suggests internal issues that could derail their season despite individual talent.
1. Boston Bulldogs - 9-5Â
The Bulldogs' defensive toughness and elite special teams will grind out victories in close games. Expect them to win several low-scoring affairs behind their "Punishing" defense and "Electric" return game.
2. Philadelphia Flames - 8-6Â
The Flames have the talent to make noise but may struggle with consistency early in the season. Their high-powered offense will keep them in every game, while Everett Marsh's defensive coaching prevents blowout losses.
3. Pittsburgh Pounders - 7-7Â
Pittsburgh's elite defense will keep them competitive against everyone, but their offensive limitations will cost them in crucial games. Expect several one-score games that could go either way.
4. Charlotte Monarchs - 4-10Â
The Monarchs' "Dull" and "Erratic" offense will struggle to score consistently. While coach Schroeder's offensive line work may show improvement as the season progresses, it won't be enough to overcome their talent deficit.
1. Denver Avengers - 10-4Â
The Avengers' "Staunch" defense combined with Glen Collier's elite QB development will create a well-balanced championship contender. Their defensive front featuring Marcus Evans and Antonio Lovis will dominate opposing offensive lines.
2. Phoenix Fangs - 9-5Â
Bobby Frost's young team will be explosive but inconsistent. The dynamic receiving duo of DeMarcus Williams and Noah Thompson will put up impressive numbers, but the "Undisciplined" offensive line will cost them 2-3 winnable games.
3. Seattle Serpents - 6-8Â
The Serpents have elite skill position talent but their "Porous" offensive line will be their undoing. They'll be competitive in most games but struggle to finish drives consistently.
4. San Diego Surge - 5-9Â
Despite having the highest offensive rating (23), the Surge's "Inefficient" tendencies and aging quarterback will prevent them from reaching their potential. Internal chemistry issues suggested by their -1 team rating will plague them all season.
Boston Bulldogs (9-5) vs. Denver Avengers (10-4)Â
Final Score: Denver Avengers 17, Boston Bulldogs 13
From the Sports Section of the Philadelphia Inquirer - November 20, 1985
By Tom Mitchell, Sports Reporter
PHILADELPHIA - While the United States Football League continues to struggle with declining attendance and mounting financial losses in its spring format, media mogul Ted Turner believes he has identified the fundamental flaw in challenging the National Football League: timing, not talent.
The Gridiron Football League (GFL), officially announced yesterday at a press conference in New York's Plaza Hotel, will launch in September 1986 with eight franchises strategically positioned across the American landscape. But unlike the USFL's ill-fated spring experiment, Turner's league will compete directly in the fall season - positioning itself not as a developmental league or off-season alternative, but as a legitimate second major professional football league.
The boldest stroke: the GFL will claim Thursday and Friday nights as their exclusive domain, with Turner's own broadcasting empire providing guaranteed national coverage.
"The USFL's mistake wasn't underestimating the NFL's talent level - it was misunderstanding when Americans want to watch professional football," said Turner, the Atlanta entrepreneur whose CNN and TBS empire has revolutionized television broadcasting. "Spring football is a novelty. Fall football is a passion. We're going to give fans NFL-quality football when they actually want to see it, and we have the television infrastructure to deliver it to every home in America."
Turner, known as "Captain Outrageous" for his flamboyant personality and bold business moves, brings unprecedented resources and media savvy to professional football. The man who turned a struggling Atlanta UHF station into the TBS Superstation and launched the 24-hour Cable News Network sees football as the next frontier for his expanding media empire.
"I've spent my career challenging monopolies - from yacht racing to television news," Turner said, his characteristic energy evident as he paced the stage during yesterday's announcement. "The NFL has had a stranglehold on fall football for too long. Competition is good for everyone - fans, players, and the sport itself."
Turner's involvement brings more than just financial backing. His TBS Superstation provides immediate national television coverage, while CNN offers ongoing news coverage and legitimacy that previous startup leagues could never achieve. The combination positions the GFL as the first serious challenge to NFL dominance since the merger of 1970.
"Ted Turner doesn't just throw money at problems - he revolutionizes entire industries," said media analyst Robert Klein of Sports Business Weekly. "If anyone can make a second professional football league work, it's the man who created 24-hour news and the superstation concept."
The GFL's eight founding franchises represent Turner's calculated approach to challenging established markets while building new ones:
Boston Bulldogs - Playing at Sullivan Stadium alongside the New England Patriots. Turner has enlisted local technology entrepreneur Robert Steinberg as majority owner, promising "intelligent, fundamental football that reflects New England values."
Philadelphia Flames - Veterans Stadium will host the weeknight games, giving the City of Brotherly Love professional football twice a week. Local textile magnate Samuel Rothstein leads the ownership group.
Pittsburgh Pounders - Three Rivers Stadium becomes a prime-time destination. Steel industry heir Margaret Carnegie-Walsh vows to field a team embodying Pittsburgh's blue-collar work ethic.
Charlotte Monarchs - The Queen City's first professional football franchise will play at Memorial Stadium while plans for a dedicated facility are developed. A banking consortium led by Hugh McColl Jr. provides financial backing.
Phoenix Fangs - Sun Devil Stadium in nearby Tempe hosts the desert's newest football franchise. Real estate developer Walter Morrison sees the team as crucial to the Valley's emerging major-league identity.
San Diego Surge - Jack Murphy Stadium adds prime-time football to its busy schedule. Telecommunications entrepreneur David Sterling believes the franchise will capitalize on Southern California's football appetite.
Denver Avengers - Mile High Stadium becomes a weeknight fortress. Energy sector executive Patricia Wells promises "football as intense as Colorado's mountain air."
Seattle Serpents - The Kingdome welcomes the Pacific Northwest's second professional football franchise. Aerospace industry leader William Harrison applies Boeing-level precision to team management.
Turner's broadcasting background provides the GFL with advantages no startup league has ever possessed. His TBS Superstation reaches over 40 million households nationwide, while CNN can provide ongoing coverage that legitimizes the league beyond sports pages.
"I've seen what works in television and what doesn't," Turner explained. "Thursday and Friday nights at 8 PM Eastern represent prime real estate that's being wasted on reruns and weak programming. Quality football programming in those slots is a goldmine waiting to be tapped."
The GFL has secured a revolutionary dual-network approach: TBS will carry the majority of games nationally, while Fox Broadcasting Company will provide additional Thursday and Friday night coverage as the fledgling network seeks credible programming to challenge established broadcasters.
This media strategy positions GFL games as appointment television that officially starts the weekend, targeting families looking for quality entertainment to begin their leisure time. Turner's CNN will provide regular league coverage, treating GFL news with the same seriousness as NFL developments.
The USFL's ongoing struggles serve as both cautionary tale and market research for Turner's venture. As the spring league faces mounting debts and rumors of folding, the GFL is implementing a dramatically different approach based on Turner's media industry experience.
"The USFL made three critical errors," explains GFL Executive Vice President Michael Chen, who left the financially troubled Philadelphia Stars to join Turner's organization. "They played in the wrong season, they escalated salaries beyond sustainable levels, and they expanded too quickly. Mr. Turner's approach avoids all three mistakes."
The GFL's business model emphasizes fiscal discipline and gradual growth - principles Turner learned building his media empire from a small Atlanta billboard company into a broadcasting powerhouse. Player salaries will be capped at $200,000 annually with performance bonuses, stadium agreements focus on revenue sharing rather than expensive guarantees, and the league commits to stability with its eight founding franchises before considering expansion.
Turner's hands-on management style, honed through building CNN and the Atlanta Braves organization, provides oversight that previous startup leagues lacked. "I don't just write checks and walk away," Turner noted. "I'm going to be involved in every aspect of this league's development."
Beyond scheduling and media advantages, Turner is positioning the GFL as the progressive choice for players concerned about long-term health and career security. The league has committed to cutting-edge safety research and post-career player support that goes far beyond current professional standards.
"We're not just building a football league - we're building a model for how professional football should treat its athletes," explains Dr. Sarah Martinez, the GFL's newly appointed Director of Player Health and Safety. "Our players will have access to the most advanced protective equipment, the latest in concussion research, and comprehensive post-career medical support."
The GFL has already partnered with leading medical research institutions to study helmet technology, impact measurement systems, and long-term neurological health. Each team will employ full-time medical staffs including neurological specialists, and the league is implementing mandatory baseline testing and enhanced concussion protocols that exceed current professional standards.
Perhaps most importantly, the GFL has established an unprecedented retirement security program. All players with three or more years of service will receive continuing health insurance, annual medical evaluations, and access to career transition services - benefits that continue for life.
"Football players sacrifice their bodies for this sport," Turner stated emphatically. "The least we can do is ensure they're protected during their careers and supported afterward. This isn't just the right thing to do - it's smart business if we want to attract the best talent."
With the USFL's future uncertain and NFL roster limits unchanged, Turner sees significant opportunity to attract quality players through both financial incentives and progressive player care policies. The league plans aggressive recruiting of USFL veterans, NFL practice squad players, and collegiate talent overlooked by traditional professional scouts.
"There are hundreds of players capable of professional football who never get a real opportunity," says Denver owner Patricia Wells.
"Between the USFL's instability and the NFL's roster constraints, there's tremendous talent available for a league willing to pay fairly and, more importantly, treat players as long-term partners rather than short-term assets."
The GFL's comprehensive approach to player welfare - from advanced safety protocols to lifetime health benefits - is already generating interest among current professional players. Several prominent USFL veterans have privately expressed interest in joining GFL franchises, citing the league's commitment to player safety and post-career security as major factors.
Turner's reputation for supporting his athletes, demonstrated through his ownership of the Atlanta Braves, adds credibility to these promises. "Ted Turner takes care of people who work for him," explains one unnamed USFL player currently weighing his options. "The GFL's approach to player safety and long-term care is unlike anything else in professional football."
Turner brings his characteristic innovation and competitive drive to professional football, viewing the GFL as more than just a business venture. The man who challenged sailing's establishment by winning the America's Cup sees similar opportunity in football.
"Competition makes everything better," Turner declared. "When I started CNN, people said 24-hour news was impossible. When I created the superstation concept, they said it would never work. Now I'm bringing that same innovative thinking to professional football."
Turner's systematic approach emphasizes long-term sustainability over short-term spectacle. The league has announced several groundbreaking initiatives:
Centralized scouting combines serving all eight teams
Shared medical and training resources to control costs
Comprehensive rookie development programs emphasizing life skills
Mandatory community partnership requirements for all franchises
Advanced television production standards utilizing Turner Broadcasting expertise
"We're not trying to out-spend the NFL or create artificial drama," Turner explained. "We're building something sustainable that will be here for decades, providing fans with quality football and players with real opportunities."
The GFL's inaugural college draft is scheduled for February 1986, with training camps opening in July. The first season will feature a 14-game schedule running from September through December, culminating in the "Gridiron Championship" in January 1987.
Season tickets go on sale December 1 in all eight markets, with early projections suggesting strong interest across all franchises. Turner's media platform will provide unprecedented promotion and coverage leading up to the inaugural season.
The combination of guaranteed national television coverage, progressive player policies, and Turner's proven track record of challenging established industries has generated significant interest from both players and fans frustrated with limited professional football options.
"We're not trying to replace the NFL," Turner concluded. "We're expanding professional football to give fans more of what they love and players more opportunities to showcase their talents. America is big enough for two major professional football leagues."
As 1985 draws to a close, Ted Turner's Gridiron Football League represents the most serious challenge to NFL dominance since the AFL forced the merger that created modern professional football. Unlike previous startup leagues that relied on publicity stunts and financial gimmicks, Turner's approach leverages proven media expertise, realistic financial planning, and genuine respect for both players and fans.
Turner's track record of disrupting established industries - from broadcasting to sailing to baseball - suggests the GFL has a better chance of success than any previous NFL challenger. His combination of vision, resources, and media infrastructure provides advantages that no startup league has ever possessed.
Whether America can support two major professional football leagues simultaneously remains an open question. But with Turner's broadcasting empire providing guaranteed exposure and his proven ability to build lasting enterprises, the GFL enters 1986 positioned to rewrite the rules of professional football.
The Captain has set sail for uncharted waters once again.
The GFL's inaugural season kicks off September 11, 1986. Season ticket information is available through team offices beginning December 1, 1985.