- 1984
- 1984
- 1985
- 2022
-
Gamblers Team Formation
The Houston Gamblers were one of six expansion teams in the USFL’s second season. They got a big break when they were able to sign Miami Quarterback Jim Kelly, who despite being picked in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills chose the upstart spring league over a reluctance to play in cold weather. Kelly would ... -
Run and Shoot Offense
Run & Shoot advocate and chief refiner Darell “Mouse” Davis was hired by the progressive Pardee to install the offense as the team’s Offensive Coordinator. (Davis was a former head coach at Portland State University where he developed the St. Louis Cardinals 2 time Pro Bowl QB Neil Lomax.) Led by former Miami Hurricanes QB Jim Kelly (who snubbed the ... -
Sold To Trump
While the Gamblers had been a solid draw the year before, area fans were not about to abandon the Houston Oilers. Attendance dropped by almost 9,000 from 1984. The resulting financial problems were so severe that at one point, the Gamblers had trouble making payroll. They needed an advance from the league just to go to the playoffs. Although owner ... -
The Re-Formation of the Gamblers
The Houston Gamblers were one of eight teams that were officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021. On January 6, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former NCAA Football Head coach Kevin Sumlin was named the Head coach and General manager of the Gamblers.
History of the Gamblers
The Houston Gamblers are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. They are one of eight members of the United States Football League (USFL).
They currently play their home games at Protective Stadium and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, which also hosts the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers.
The USFL league announced the 2022 season will be played by the following eight teams Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, Philadelphia Stars, Pittsburgh Maulers, and Tampa Bay Bandits. All of these teams were a part of the original league play in the 80s'.
Established
1984
City
Houston
League History
1984 – 1985, 2022 - Present / United States Football League
Team History
1984 – 1985, 2022 - Present / Houston Gamblers
Nickname
Gamblers – Gambling requires three elements to be present: consideration, chance, and prize.
Original USFL Team
No
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
2022 - Present / Protective Stadium/Legion Field (Birmingham, Alabama)
1984 – 1985 / Houston Astrodome
Owner
2022 - Present / National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC, (Fox Sports)
1985 / Alvin Lubetkin, Dr. Jerry Argovitz, Jay Roulier
1984 / Alvin Lubetkin, Bernard Lerner, Dr. Jerry Argovitz, Fred Gerson
Coaches
2022 - Present / Kevin Summon
1984 – 1985 / Jack Pardee (23 wins – 15 losses)
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
1985 / Division Championship Game (vs Birmingham Stallions 20 – 22)
1984 / Division Championship Game (vs Arizona Wranglers 16 – 17)
Averaged 28,152 in 1983 and 19,120 in 1984 (47,690 seat stadium)
*Blue is this team’s history