- 1983
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Breakers Team Formation
The team started out in 1983 as the Boston Breakers, owned by Boston businessman George Matthews and former New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Vataha. However, finding a stadium proved difficult. The largest stadium in the region was Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, home of the Patriots. However, it was owned by the Sullivan family, owners of the Patriots and Matthews ...
History of the Breakers
The Boston Breakers are a professional American football team based in Greater Boston. The team was part of the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985 and played their home games at Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. During this time, they were one of the most successful teams in USFL history, appearing in two championship games and winning one title.
The franchise began as an expansion team for the 1983 season when it joined several other new teams that had been added to expand on what was then known as “the spring league” or “the alternative league” because it was held during different months than NFL play. Led by head coach Dick Coury, who brought experienced players like quarterback Tony Eason and running back Craig James from his previous job coaching New England Patriots, Boston quickly became a contender for both conference titles and championships. In 1984, after finishing second overall behind only Chicago Blitz, they advanced through playoffs before losing out on a first-place finish against Baltimore Stars 20-24. A year later, they reached finals again, but this time came up short against Oakland Invaders 26-28.
Despite not being able to win another championship game after their inaugural season success story remains impressive, mainly because there was only 3 years total spent playing under the USFL banner before folding operations following the 1985 campaign. This makes even more remarkable accomplishments achieved by the small market clubs, such as making playoffs each year and competing alongside some much larger cities franchises such as Tampa Bay Bandits, Jacksonville Bulls, etc ... It's clear why so many sports fans still remember fondly despite relatively brief tenure within the league itself testament great legacy left behind which will live long be remembered generations follow!
Established
1983
City
Boston – New Orleans – Portland
League History
1983 – 1986, 2022 - Present / United States Football League
Team History
1985 / Portland Breakers
1984, 2022 - Present / New Orleans Breakers
1983 / Boston Breakers
Nickname
Breakers – The Boston Breakers are among the most successful sports teams in American history, having won multiple championships and produced some of the greatest players ever to grace a professional field. But few people know how they got their nickname.
It all started with the United States Football League (USFL). The USFL was an upstart football league that sought to challenge the National Football League’s dominance in professional football during its three-year run from 1983-1985. During this time, many cities were clamoring for a team to call their own, and Boston was no exception. In 1984, local businessman John Bassett brought pro football back to Massachusetts by purchasing a franchise for 3 million dollars and naming it “the Breakers” after his favorite sailing vessel – USS Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides,” which is also featured on Massachusetts state flag as well as on UMass's logo - mascot Sam The Minuteman!
It wasn't long before fans referred to them affectionately as "the Breaker Boys" or just plain old "Breaker Nation." This name had stuck with them through thick and thin seasons alike, even when they relocated from Foxboro Stadium in 1988 due to financial difficulties caused by Bassett's death earlier that year! Today we can still hear cheers echoing throughout Gillette Stadium every Sunday afternoon: Go, Breaker Boys!!
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
1985 / Civic Stadium
*New Orleans*
2022 - Present / Protective Stadium/Legion Field (Birmingham, Alabama)
1984 / Louisiana Superdome
*Boston*
1983 / Nickerson Field
Owner
2022 - Present / National Spring Football League Enterprises Co
1985 / Joseph Canizaro
1984 / Joseph Canizaro and Randy Vataha
1983 / George Matthews and Randy Vataha
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.
Accomplishments
Averaged 12,817 fans (14,000 seat stadium)
*Blue is this team’s history