Established
1983
City
New Jersey
League History
1983 – 1986, 2022 - Present / United States Football League
Team History
1983 – 1986, 2022 - Present / New Jersey Generals
Nickname
Generals – The New Jersey Generals were among the most iconic teams in the short-lived United States Football League (USFL). The team was established in 1982 and lasted until 1986 when the league folded due to financial difficulties. Despite their brief existence, they left an indelible mark on sports history with their unique nickname.
The origin of the name "Generals" is a bit murky. Some believe that owner Donald Trump chose it as a reference to General Motors Corporation, which sponsored several USFL teams at its inception; however, this has never been confirmed officially. Another theory suggests that it pays homage to George Washington's Continental Army who fought for independence during America's Revolutionary War and whose headquarters were located nearby in Morristown, NJ - just 30 miles from where Trump purchased land for his team's home field Giants Stadium (now MetLife Stadium).
Regardless of its origins, there’s no denying that “Generals” had a powerful resonance with fans across New Jersey and beyond during its four-year run - especially when they made it to the championship game against Oakland Invaders before losing 24-22! It may not have been around long enough to become synonymous with professional football like some other nicknames, but thanks largely due part because of Donald Trump’s marketing savvy – Generals will forever remain a critical piece of American sports history!
Original USFL Team
Yes
Championship
USFL Championship 0
Stadium
2022 - Present / Protective Stadium/Legion Field (Birmingham, Alabama)
1983 – 1985 / The Meadowlands
Owner
2022 - Present / National Spring Football League Enterprises Co
1984 – 1985 / Donald Trump
1983 / J. Walter Duncan and Chuck Fairbanks
- 1983
- 1984
- 1986
- 2022
-
Generals Team Formation
From the beginning, USFL founder David Dixon placed a premium on putting a team in the New York area. Initially, real estate magnate and future U. S. President Donald Trump were tapped to own the team. However, he backed out after paying an initial installment on the franchise fee, hoping instead to buy the struggling Baltimore Colts of the NFL. ... -
New Owner Donald J. Trump
At 66 years old, Duncan soon tired of flying 2,000 miles from Oklahoma to New York to see his team play. He was not willing to be an absentee owner and decided to sell to a local buyer. After the 1983 season, he found one in Donald J. Trump, who had initially angled for the franchise in 1982 before backing ... -
Advocating Moving the USFL
Almost from the moment, Trump bought the Generals, he sought to use them as a vehicle to get an NFL team. To this end, he began advocating moving the USFL from a spring schedule to a fall schedule, directly opposite NFL. His long-term plans called for moving the Generals across the Hudson River to New York, which had not had ... -
The Re-Formation of the Generals
The New Jersey Generals were one of eight teams that were officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021. USFL co-founder Brian Woods had been using the Generals brand for teams in The Spring League since 2019. On January 6, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former ...
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* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Generals
The New Jersey Generals are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The team was founded in 1982 as part of the United States Football League (USFL). For three seasons, they were one of the most successful teams in the USFL, making it to two championship games and winning one title before folding after their third season. Despite their short lifespan, they left an indelible mark on sports history and remain beloved by fans today.
From its inception in 1982 until 1985, when it folded due to financial difficulties caused by antitrust lawsuits against NFL owners for monopolizing pro football broadcasting rights, The Generals had some impressive accomplishments under coach Walt Michaels’ leadership that included back-to-back appearances at USFL Championship Games with victories over Oakland Invaders 1984 & Baltimore Stars 1985 respectively. They also featured some great players like quarterback Doug Flutie who led them to a 12-4 record during his time there from 1983 -1985; running backs Herschel Walker and Maurice Carthon; wide receivers Greg Latta, Brian Brennan, Anthony Carter, Derek Holloway; defensive linemen George Adams & Reggie White plus many others who helped make this franchise legendary despite its brief existence.
Though no longer active since 1986 due to lack of funding following legal issues with NFL owners, which ultimately forced them into bankruptcy court proceedings, memories still linger amongst diehard fans about how close these guys came so often to victory but never entirely made it all the way each year while playing an exciting brand of football that will be remembered forever even if only through highlights or stories shared between friends/family members or online sites dedicated solely towards honoring former NJG players/staffs contributions throughout those 3 glorious seasons before disappearing off the grid entirely without any trace whatsoever except within hearts & minds loyal followers everywhere across the globe whom can recall vividly what real passion looked like every Sunday afternoon regardless final score result because put “It Was Just That Good!”
Sports Fan Products
Accomplishments
1985 / Division Championship Game (vs Baltimore Stars 17 – 20)
Averaged 35,004 in 1983, 37,716 in 1984 and 41,268 in 1985 (80,242 seat stadium)
Herschel Walker’s record USFL 2,411 rushing yards
*Blue is this team’s history