If you follow this site at all you know I’m working on a book about the old United States Football League. Which, I have to say, could not be more fun. Or weird. Or … ridiculous.
For example, the above advertisement for the Pittsburgh Maulers of 1984.
Where to begin?
You have quarterback Glenn Carano (who couldn’t throw straight) and halfback Mike Rozier (who liked cocaine and sleeping during practices) looking at a clipboard …
The play is a Pop Warner-level sweep …
There’s sex appeal for the ladies!
There’s footwear that wouldn’t be worn by a 7-year-old rec league soccer player …
There’s buddy-buddy teamwork …
(That’s future NFL star Sam Clancy on the right, and former Cowboy Bruce Huther on the left. Interestingly, during the season a teammate punched Huther in the face, breaking a ton of bones. Huther was immediately released in a money-saving move).
Best of all, there’s this amazing T-shirt …
Which, ahem, if I’m being honest … um … I actually own.
Go Maulers!
Here is a USFL promo with Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie and the late Harry Usher in 1985.