Established
1984
City
San Antonio
League History
1984 – 1985 / United States Football League
Team History
1984 – 1985 / San Antonio Gunslingers
Nickname
Gunslingers – The San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1984 to 1985. Despite their short tenure, they remain one of the most memorable teams in USFL history due to their unique nickname and logo. But where did this name come from?
In 1983, San Antonio was awarded an expansion franchise for the USFL’s second season. The city had been without an NFL team since 1972, when the Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City and became known as the Chiefs. With no other pro-football options available, locals were eager for some gridiron action and wanted something unique with which to identify themselves – enter “The Gunslingers”!
This moniker was chosen by local fans who voted on it over several other potential names, including Rough Riders, Stallions, Toros & Spurs, among others; each option has its unique connection with Texas culture or identity at large, but none quite captures what people felt about being part of a new football team like “Gunslingers” did! It conjured up images of cowboys aiming at opponents while also conveying strength & bravado - perfect attributes for any sports fan looking to get behind his/her home squad!
The term gunslinger is derived from "gunfighter," someone who used firearms as tools during conflicts between rival groups or individuals back in Wild West days when shootouts would often determine winners & losers on both sides of law enforcement lines alike; thus giving us our beloved mascot that continues today even after all these years have passed! So if you're ever wondering why those crazy Texans call themselves "Gunslingers," now you know why - because it's just too cool not to.
Original USFL Team
No
Final USFL Team
No
Team’s Final Outlook
A month after the season, Commissioner Harry Usher had seen enough, and gave Clinton Manges an ultimatum–make restitution for the team’s debts in 15 days or lose the franchise. When this didn’t occur, the Gunslingers became the only USFL franchise to be revoked.
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
1984 – 1985 / Alamo Stadium
Owner
1984 – 1985 / Clinton Manges
Coaches
1985 / Gil Steinke (2 wins – 4 losses)
1985 / Jim Bates (3 wins – 9 losses)
1984 / Gil Steinke (7 wins – 11 losses)
- 1984
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Gunslingers Team Formation
Going into the 1984 season, the USFL made the decision to expand to eighteen teams in order to boost league capital. However, efforts to expand to Minneapolis-St. Paul and Seattle fell through. San Antonio was mentioned as a possible market for expansion, as rapid growth through the 1970s propelled it to major-city status. By 1984, almost 800,000 people lived in ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Gunslingers
The San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team that played in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985. Founded by oilman and real estate mogul Clinton Manges, the Gunslingers were one of the original teams of this short-lived league. Although they only lasted three seasons, their impact on sports fans was significant.
In their inaugural season, 1981, the Gunslingers enjoyed moderate success with a 7–9 record under head coach Jim Bates and quarterback Todd Dillon leading them to fourth place in their division standings. Despite this strong start for such an inexperienced franchise, things would soon take a turn for the worse as financial difficulties began taking their toll on team morale and performance alike during 1982's 3–15 campaign; however, it was not until 1984 when these issues reached critical mass resulting in several games being forfeited due to lack of funds available at the game time itself! These struggles notwithstanding, though - San Antonio still managed two winning campaigns over those three years, including an 8-8 finish back in '83, which saw them qualify for postseason play against eventual champions Michigan Panthers, where they eventually lost out 21-17 despite putting up quite a valiant effort throughout the entire match!
Though ultimately unsuccessful due primarily economic reasons related directly or indirectly towards USFL's ill-fated move away from spring/summer schedule into fall competition alongside NFL - a legacy left behind by San Antonio Gunsligner remains fondly remembered amongst many diehard fans even today! From memorable players like future Hall of Famer Herschel Walker, who spent some of his best days there before moving onto Dallas Cowboys stardom...to iconic moments such as "Gunslinger Shootout" between former rivals Houston Gamblers & Arizona Wranglers, which took place right here at Alamo Stadium back 1985 - memories created through course these few brief but vibrant years will live forever hearts all who witnessed firsthand greatness displayed both fields off it during heyday America’s most unique football leagues ever seen!
Sports Fan Products
Accomplishments
Averaged 15,444 in 1984 and 11,721 in 1985 (23,000 seat stadium)
*Blue is this team’s history