The UFL, formerly known as the USFL and XFL provides football fans in the United States an alternative to the National Football League and a platform for players who may not have been drafted into the NFL to showcase their talent. The original USFL ran for three seasons from 1983 through 1985 during the NFL offseason.
Although short-lived, the USFL, with its lack of salary cap, high payrolls, and ability to attract former NFL experienced players, coaches, and executives or fresh faces out of the college ranks, was an exciting on-field product during the spring/summer months.
While nothing will ever replace the dominant NFL product on and off the field, the following three legends of the game got their start in the USFL before stepping onto the big stage and etching their names into pro football history.
Steve Young
A unanimous All-American and contender for the Heisman Trophy, Young was a heavily touted player for both the USFL and the NFL. With their draft taking place five months beforehand, the USFL and the Los Angeles Express got to Young first. Selected 11th overall in 1984, Young was presented with a $40 million 10-year contract, the biggest deal in sports at the time.
During his two seasons with the Express, Young started all twenty-two games he appeared in, finishing with 4,102 passing yards and 16 touchdowns while running for 883 yards and 9 trips to the endzone. Signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Young struggled during his first two NFL seasons before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers where after backing up Joe Montana for four seasons, Young would go on to win three Super Bowls and two MVPs.
Reggie White
Whereas Young controlled the offense, White was “The Minister of Defense”. After a roller-coaster career with the Tennessee Volunteers, White finished his senior season as an All-American and the SEC Player of the Year. The Memphis Showboats would allow White to start his pro career in his home state. Over the course of his two years with the Showboats, White started 36 games and dominated the opposing offensive linemen by recording 23.5 sacks.
Signing with the Philadelphia Eagles after the USFL folded, White’s impact would be felt immediately recording 13 sacks in 13 games during his rookie season. During his eight seasons in Philadelphia, six in Green Bay, and one in Carolina, White earned a Super Bowl, two Defensive Player of the Year Awards, and 13 All-Pro honors.
Herschel Walker
Following a dominating and award-winning three seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, Walker took to the USFL, signing with the New Jersey Generals in 1983, a time in which underclassmen were not allowed in the NFL Draft. During his three seasons in the league, Walker was the league’s most dominant player, finishing with 5,562 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns.
Despite his impressive USFL numbers, Walker fell to the fifth round (114th pick) of the 1985 Draft, where the Dallas Cowboys would select him. After starting his career playing multiple positions for the Cowboys, Walker established himself as one of the premier and versatile players in the league, suiting up for the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants, finishing his career with 8,225 rushing yards, 4,859 receiving yards, 5,084 kick return yards, and 84 total touchdowns.
The USFL has produced a number of talented NFL stars and the new UFL is hoping to continue the trend with two dozen players signing an NFL contract for this season. These players, often seen as underdogs, defied the odds to make it to the big league. Their success stories echo the thrill that bettors experience when their longshot wagers pay off.
In the world of online sportsbooks, especially in Canada, the ability to easily deposit and withdraw funds is just as important as the bet itself. Reliable platforms like Bet365 offer a range of secure payment options, ensuring that when a bet hits, players can quickly access their winnings. The satisfaction that comes with Bet365 withdrawals after a big win is much like the feeling of triumph for these athletes—both moments represent the culmination of effort, strategy, and belief paying off in a big way.
