The Jacksonville Bulls were a professional American football

American football

American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

 team based in Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...

, Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

. They were members of the United States Football League

United States Football League

The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...

 during its final two seasons, 1984 and 1985. They played their home games in the Gator Bowl Stadium

Gator Bowl Stadium

Gator Bowl was an American football stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Originally built in 1927, it was radically reconstructed in 1994 in preparation for the Jacksonville Jaguars inaugural season and became Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, now EverBank Field. It is most notable for hosting the Gator...

 in Jacksonville.

Former Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

 stars Larry Csonka

Larry Csonka

Larry Richard Csonka is a former collegiate and professional American football fullback.-Childhood:One of six children, Csonka was born in Stow, Ohio where he was raised on a farm by his Hungarian family...

 and Jim Kiick

Jim Kiick

James Forrest Kiick is a former professional American football running back, who is best known for playing halfback for the Miami Dolphins in the American Football League from 1968 to 1969 and in the National Football League from 1970 through 1974...

 were involved in an advertising campaign for the team, and they apparently had a minor ownership interest as well. Larry Munson

Larry Munson

Lawrence Harry "Larry" Munson was a sports announcer and talk-show host based out of the U.S. city of Atlanta. He was best known for handling radio play-by-play of University of Georgia Bulldogs football games from 1966 to 2008...

 was hired as radio

Radio

Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...

 play-by-play announcer. His distinctive voice was already well-known in the Jacksonville area due to his long association with both the University of Georgia

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...

 Bulldogs and the National Football League

National Football League

The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...

's Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

.

Team name and colors

The nickname "Bulls" was taken from team owner Fred "Bubba" Bullard, a Jacksonville businessman, although there was a 'name the team' promotion with a write-in campaign for publicity purposes. The 'Bulls' moniker was credited as a submission from the winning entry. The team colors of garnet, orange and silver were taken from the three college football teams most popular in the area; garnet from the Florida State Seminoles

Florida State Seminoles

The Florida State Seminoles are the men's and women's sports teams of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State participates in the NCAA's Division I . FSU joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1991, and competes in the Atlantic Division in any sports split into a...

, orange from the Florida Gators

Florida Gators

The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...

, and silver from the pants worn by the Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...

.

The helmet design was unique for a professional football team. Each side had the team's logo of a streaking bull (one side the mirror image of the other); the two logos were bridged by a series of parallel lines, and the team's name ("Bulls") were incorporated into the "bridge" as a silhouette against the parallel lines.

1984 Season

The Bulls made an immediate splash in their first game, in which they blew out the Washington Federals 53-14. Although they finished 6-12--last in the tough Southern Division--they were far more competitive than their record indicated. Six of their losses were by a touchdown or less, including two losses by a last-second field goal. They remained in contention for most of the season, but a six-game losing streak toward the end of the season kept them out of the playoffs.

The Bulls were an undisputed success at the gate, running away with the league's attendance title. They notched the only two crowds of 70,000 or greater in league history, including a throng of 73,227 against the powerful New Jersey Generals

New Jersey Generals

The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. The team played three seasons from 1983-85, winning 31 regular-season games and losing 25 while going 0-2 in postseason competition...

 on March 4. In the last game, against the Pittsburgh Maulers

Pittsburgh Maulers

The Pittsburgh Maulers competed in the 1984 season of the United States Football League. Their most prominent player was first pick overall in the 1984 USFL draft, running back Mike Rozier of Nebraska, who won the Heisman Trophy, collegiate football's most prestigious individual award.They were...

, a huge crowd patiently waited through a late-June downpour which postponed the game for more than an hour. When play finally started the game was a 26-2 Jacksonville victory.

Offseason

The offseason saw the addition of former NFL MVP QB Brian Sipe

Brian Sipe

Brian Winfield Sipe is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League from 1984 to 1985....

 to take over as triggerman of Coach Lindy Infante

Lindy Infante

Gelindo "Lindy" Infante is a former American college football player and assistant coach, who became an offensive coordinator and head coach in both the National Football League and the United States Football League...

's high octane passing scheme as well as former Heisman trophy winning HB Mike Rozier

Mike Rozier

Michael Rozier is a former American collegiate and professional football running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. Mike and his wife, Rochelle, an attorney, reside in South Jersey and together they have one son. Mike has two other children who reside in...

.

1985 Season

While Sipe only threw 89 passes before suffering a career ending injury, an improved defense and the addition of Rozier

Mike Rozier

Michael Rozier is a former American collegiate and professional football running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. Mike and his wife, Rochelle, an attorney, reside in South Jersey and together they have one son. Mike has two other children who reside in...

 resulted in a 9-9 record. The Bulls finished just one win short of a playoff spot and led the league in attendance again.

Demise

The Bulls were slated to be even stronger in 1986 due to a merger with the Denver Gold

Denver Gold

The Denver Gold was a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second major professional football league in the United States, playing a springtime season, from 1983 to 1985...

. Unfortunately the league made several fatal errors, one of which was to stake their future on the outcome of an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. The league won the suit but was awarded only $3 in damages. The Bulls, along with all of the other USFL teams, ceased operations and passed into history.

Legacy

Despite never posting a winning record, the Bulls were considered to be one of the stronger USFL franchise — indeed, one of the few USFL teams with the potential to be viable had the league been better run. Owner Fred Bullard was determined from the beginning to put together a strong organization on and off the field. Many experts believe that had it not been for the Bulls' success, the NFL would have never considered awarding the Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

 to the city in 1995. In 1987, the Houston Oilers

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...

 nearly moved to Jacksonville, at least in part due to the overwhelming support for the Bulls.

1984 Jacksonville Bulls game results

Sun. Feb. 26 - (W) BULLS 53 vs. WASHINGTON FEDERALS 14 - (Att. 49,392)

Sun. Mar. 4 - (L) BULLS 26 vs. NEW JERSEY GENERALS 28 - (Att. 73,227)

Sat. Mar. 10 - (L) BULLS 25 @ Tampa Bay Bandits 28 - (Att. 51,274)

Mon. Mar. 19 - (L) BULLS 9 vs. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 38 - (Att. 48,303)

Sun. Mar. 25 - (W) BULLS 13 @ Los Angeles Express 7 - (Att. 8,000)

Sat. Mar. 31 - (L) BULLS 24 @ Memphis Showboats 27 - (Att. 17,180)

Sat. Apr. 7 - (L) BULLS 17 vs. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS 24 - (Att. 43,654)

Sat. Apr. 14 - (L) BULLS 0 vs. SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS 20 - (Att. 35,084)

Fri. Apr. 20 - (W) BULLS 12 vs. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS 10 - (Att. 36.256)

Fri. Apr. 27 - (W) BULLS 34 @ Oklahoma Outlaws 6 - (Att. 29,324)

Sat. May. 5 - (L) BULLS 13 vs. TAMPA BAY BANDITS 31 - (Att. 71,174)

Fri. May. 11 - (L) BULLS 10 @ Birmingham Stallions 42 - (Att. 29,500)

Sat. May. 19 - (L) BULLS 12 @ Philadelphia Stars 45 - (Att. 33,194)

Fri. May. 25 - (L) BULLS 7 vs. HOUSTON GAMBLERS 54 - (Att. 31,638)

Sat. Jun. 2 - (L) BULLS 12 @ Oakland Invaders 17 - (Att. 29,687)

Fri. Jun. 8 - (L) BULLS 14 @ Arizona Wranglers 45 - (Att. 15,513)

Fri. Jun. 15 - (W) BULLS 20 @ New Orleans Breakers 17 - (Att. 21,333)

Fri. Jun. 22 - (W) BULLS 26 vs. PITTSBURGH MAULERS 2 - (Att. 31,843)

1984 Jacksonville Bulls roster

1. Danny Miller (K)

2. Rich Hendley (P)

3. Brian Franco (K/P)

5. Jeff Brockhaus (K)

8. Jeff Pierce (P)

9. Ken Hobart

Ken Hobart

Kenneth Charles "Ken" Hobart is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the USFL and CFL, where he played from 1985-90.-Collegiate career:...

 (QB)

14. Ben Bennett (QB)

14. Ron Rice (P)

15. Robbie Mahfouz (QB)

16. Buck Belue

Buck Belue

Benjamin Franklin "Buck" Belue played American football and baseball at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981. He was the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980, when the team went 12-0, and, after beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, was named the consensus national champion...

 (QB)

17. Matt Robinson (QB)

20. Billy Cesare (SS)

21. Willie McClendon (RB)

22. Kevin Gray (CB)

23. Kerry Baird (CB)

23. Donald Dykes (CB)

24. Marvin Lewis (FB)

25. Charlie Dean (CB)

26. Chester Gee (CB)

27. Michael Whiting (RB)

28. Matt Courtney (CB)

32. Larry Mason (RB)

33. Vaughan Johnson (LB)

35. John Lott (FS)

44. Larry Key (RB)

44. Bobby Hosea (FS)

45. Mike Goedeker (LB)

46. Don Bessillieu (FS)

47. Sammy Brown (SS)

50. John McLean (LB)

51. Dave Otey (C)

52. Tom Dinkel

Tom Dinkel

Thomas "Tom" Dinkel is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 5th round of the 1978 NFL Draft. He played seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals....

 (LB)

53. Fernando Jackson (LB)

55. Carl Qualls (LB)

55. Dann Lute (LB)

56. Rufus Norman (LB)

56. Doug West (LB)

57. Greg Zappala (LB)

58. Andy Hendel (LB)

59. Russ Washington (LB)

60. Gary Anderson (G/C)

63. Nat Hudson (T)

64. Kenny Howell (G)

65. Wally Pesuit

Wally Pesuit

Walter George "Wally" Pesuit is a former American football offensive and defensive lineman in the National Football League....

 (C)

66. George Collins (G)

67. Warren Gray (G)

69. Rush Brown (DE)

70. Val Brown (DE)

72. Don Latimer (NT)

73. Ed Gantner (DT)

75. Bob Gruber

Bob Gruber

Robert Leon Gruber Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League who played for the Green Bay Packers. Gruber played collegiate ball for the University of Pittsburgh before being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 10th round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He...

 (T)

77. Chris Wampler (NT)

78. Brian Douglas (NT)

80. Gary Clark (WR)

82. Wyatt Henderson (WR)

83. Aubrey Matthews (WR)

84. Paul Bergmann (TE)

85. Perry Kemp (WR)

87. Chuck McCurley (WR)

88. Robert Young (TE)

89. Alton Alexis

Alton Alexis

Alton Alexis is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver in 1980 for the Cincinnati Bengals.Alexis played in 1984 and 1985 with the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL...

 (WR)

91. Phil Dokes (DE)

92. George Atiyeh (NT)

92. Marvin Dyett (DE)

95. Mike Raines (DE)

97. Charles Philyaw (DE)

98. Bob Clasby

Bob Clasby

Robert James Clasby is a former professional American football defensive lineman who played five seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals/Arizona Cardinals....

(DE)

99. Joe Costello (DE)

--. Amos Lawrence (RB)

--. Dan Gooch (LB)

Charles R. Hunsicker Jr. - Team Chaplin

Season-by-season

|-
|1984 || 6 || 12 || 0 || 5th EC Southern || --
|-
|1985 || 9 || 9 || 0 || 6th EC || --
|-
!Totals || 15 || 21 || 0
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